Hope this isn't too late for you. As one said, you can go from PF to Clingmans' Dome. That would probably be 60 round trip. After G-burg you climb steady for 20 miles with one downhill section, to over 6,600 ft, which is just under the height of Mt. Mitchell. You briefly hit 8 pct grade, but it's mostly 5%. You get quite an alpine feel on this route.


Another option is take Wears Valley Rd (Hwy 321) towards Townsend, then turn right on Bluff Mtn and Goose Gap Rd. You'll get some twisty steep climbing with some views as well. This route has a lot less traffic than the first ride, but Wears Valley can get busy. If you take the first option to Clingmans Dome, go early on a weekday. But we're also coming up on peak fall colors in the mountains, so at the moment, all bets are off.