
Driving the 3 tight hairpin turns on the W Road of Chattanooga
Usa, north-america
5.14 km
7 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for the W Road in Hamilton County, Tennessee! This isn't just a drive; it's a mountain rollercoaster squeezed into 3.2 miles. Starting from East Brow Road and winding down to Mountain Creek Road, this fully paved path throws you into a series of switchbacks so intense, they actually resemble the letter "W."
Trust me, after the gentle start, it gets wild near the top. We're talking hairpin turns so tight, you might catch a glimpse of your own taillights! Built way back in 1892 (can you believe it?), this road has seen upgrades over the years, but its core design β those crazy turns β remains untouched.
This road demands your full attention. Itβs steep, with gradients hitting a whopping 17.6% in places. Go too wide, and you're playing chicken with oncoming traffic; cut it too close, and your car's undercarriage might just kiss the asphalt. Many drivers find this road intimidating, and trucks longer than 22 feet are strictly forbidden. So, if you're cruising near Chattanooga, make sure your GPS isn't playing tricks on you β you don't want to end up stuck on this beast!
Where is it?
Driving the 3 tight hairpin turns on the W Road of Chattanooga is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 38.4358, -99.2870
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 5.14 km
- Max Elevation
- 7 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 38.4358, -99.2870
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