Railway pigtails can be found throughout the world. One example was featured on Google Sightseeing several years ago, the Tehachapi Loop outside of Bakersfield, California. Automobiles climb tighter slopes but they also operate in smaller spaces so there are plenty of examples on roadways too. Pigtails can appear in city settings where motorway or bridge ramps converge in constricted downtown areas, or as a common feature in multi-level parking decks. I’m more interested in their rural cousins however, the roads that might be rather fun to drive!

Following a reader suggestion, I tossed the idea to the usual crowd at my own site, Twelve Mile Circle. The result presented here on GSS reflects contributions by several people and demonstrates the effectiveness of respectful online conversations.¹

Great Smoky Mountains, USA

A national park protects much of the Great Smoky Mountains, an offshoot of the Appalachians. Newfound Gap Road cuts directly through the park, a rare path through the rugged range, connecting park headquarters in Tennessee to protected areas in North Carolina. The road dips, snakes and curves along the gap, and finally pigtails near one of the park’s most recognisable features, Chimney Tops on Sugarland Mountain.

Black Hills, USA

Pigtail roads and bridges can be found in considerably greater quantity in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This suggests a great scenic drive for those interested in experiencing the pigtail phenomenon in person. Start first at Wind Cave National Park, and head north on Route 87 on a course towards Mt. Rushmore. The first pigtail will be experienced perhaps two km from the Wind Cave visitors centre.

Chart a path from there that involves Route 16A — Iron Mountain Road — approaching Mt. Rushmore from the south, and three more pigtails will appear in quick succession about 50 km (30 m) from Wind Cave.

This unusual concentration of pigtail roads and bridges is not coincidental: they were all constructed in the 1920s to provide an elegant solution to sudden elevation changes while slowing drivers down so they could enjoy the scenery.

Majorca, Spain

A particularly spectacular instance can be found on the road between Escorca and Sa Calobra on the island of Majorca, Spain. This one is simply stunning, both for the expansive view and for the complete visibility of the loop. No doubt others feel likewise as there is a pullout on the northeast side of the pigtail for people to stop and appreciate what they’ve encountered.

This 12.5 km road and its awesome pigtail, first opened in 1932, are a signature achievement of Italian road engineer Antonio Paretti.

Savona, Italy

If one pigtail road and bridge should get an award for sheer elevation gain, this occurrence on A6, the Autostrada Torino-Savona, might likely win. The road visible in the valley foreground is the same as the one on the viewer’s side of the guardrail. The road navigates several tunnels through the mountainside as it climbs to this point. This stretch was once known as the Autostrada della morte, the Highway of Death, until improvements were made in recent decades.

Besides the pigtail, it has all sorts of amazing curves and tunnels in general.

I wouldn’t mind going for a drive on any of these roads.

Locations: Italy, South Dakota, Spain, Tennessee / Categories: Bridges, Natural Landmarks, Street Views

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10. Smackover, Arkansas: Claims to have the only “center of the road” traffic light in Arkansas!

9. French Lick, Indiana: Former home of Pluto Water, a laxative with the slogan “When Nature Won’t, PLUTO Will”!

8. Tightwad, Missouri: Supposedly named by a postman following an incident involving a watermelon and an extra fifty cents!

7. Climax, Minnesota: The actual town motto is “Climax – More than just a feeling”!

6. Gayville, South Dakota: Conveniently located in Yankton County!

5. Cumming, Georgia: Nicknamed the “Gateway to Leisure Living”!

4. Horneytown, North Carolina: Be sure to get the t-shirt!

3. Big Bone Lick State Park, Kentucky: Accessable by taking a ride on Beaver Road!

2. Hooker, Oklahoma: Home to the Horny Toads baseball team!

1. Cooter, Missouri: No, not because of the Dukes of Hazzard character!

Honorable mentions by popular request – Hell, Michigan and Truth or Consequences, New Mexico!

For similar GSS stories, be sure to check out Top 10 Rudest Place Names in Britain, Top 10 des noms de villes grossiers en France, Top 10 Unanständigste Ortsamen in Deutschland, Top Ten Confusing Place Names, and Longest Place Names.

Locations: Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, U.S. States / Categories: Weirdness

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What’s even more interesting though, is that this update includes a lot of the places in-between places – highways coast-to-coast are now on Street View, and the coverage in the US has actually been doubled.

This means that some of Google Sightseeing’s previously posted sights, like The Devil’s Tower are now visible in Street View for the first time.

While the update includes places in Maine, West Virginia, North Dakota and South Dakota, a full list of the updates hasn’t yet been compiled as far as I can tell.¹

With all this new coverage, perhaps you’ll be the person to stumble across the next street fight, house on fire, or epic bike-related fail – so get submitting your street view discoveries now!

Locations: Alabama, Maine, North Korea, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wyoming / Categories: Natural Landmarks, Street Views

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Thanks: David Thornton

Locations: South Dakota / Categories: Large Type, Mazes

View in Google Earth

Although the satellite photo is not the best shot you can almost make out Crazy Horse’s 87 foot head in the piece of rock just south of the red-roofed building (it may help to compare to this photo) and his arm extending to the south-east. If you scroll to the south west you’ll find the visitors centre who have more information on the project at crazyhorse.org.

Thanks: Stephen Johnson & many others

Locations: South Dakota / Categories: Monuments

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Props to xylon (and many others).

Locations: South Dakota / Categories: Monuments

View in Google Earth