I just moved back to San Antonio after spending 5 years in Atlanta and, therefore, have been down both routes.
Tail of the Dragon: Kewl and challenging...changing, though, as the cops are getting more active. Nice scenic overlook about midway. The place to drive if you're in the area! You can even buy a t-shirt as a memento of your trip and proof of your surviving the dragon (check out the tree of shame)
Devil's Backbone: Nice leisurely drive along a ridge line with periodic views of the hill country; not spectacular and definitely nothing like the Dragon. The town of Wimberley is very quaint and worth a visit. nearby in Driftwood is one heckava BBQ, the Salt Lick.
"The Three Sisters" or " The Hundred Mile Loop" (RR335, RR336, & RR337) are without a doubt the best roads to be found in the Hill Country of Texas! They follow canyons and climb over jagged, steep and crumbling hills. They have many tight twisty curves with shear drop offs and not much in the way of guard rails. In one section about 15 miles long, there are around 65 curves (rivals the Dragon in many ways). If you like scenic panoramic views, bring your camera, and hold on! And, of course a trip in Fredericksburg would be worth a visit as well as Cooper's BBQ in Llano.
Three Sisters or The Hundred Mile Loop
From Leakey, take Ranch Road 336 North, to Highway 41. Turn left and take 335 South. 335 merges with Highway 55. Continue South until you reach Camp Wood. Take 337 East out of Camp Wood back to Leakey. The total ride is about 95 miles.
The Hunt Loop
From Leakey, take Ranch Road 337, go North on Ranch Road 187 (While on 187 stop and tour the Motorcycle Museum), then turn East on 39 through Hunt (while in Hunt view Stonehenge II on RR 1340) to Kerrville. Take Highway 27 in Hunt back to Kerrville.Take 16 out of Kerrville to Medina. Take 337 West back to Leakey. The total for this ride is about 125 miles. Remember to top off your fuel tank before leaving Leakey and again when passing through Hunt or Kerrville.
Utopia Loop
From Leakey, take Ranch Road 337 to Medina. Go South on 16 into Bandera. Take 470 out of Bandera to Ranch Road 187 and go South into Utopia. Then take 1050 to Highway 83. Go North on 83 to Leakey.
Places to visit when riding the loops:- The Lone Star Motorcycle Museum in Vanderpool displays a wonderful collection of motorcycles from around the world dating from the 1910's to modern. It will be a very enjoyable stop on this trip. Inside the museum is the "Ace Cafe". The Ace Cafe offers Gourmet Hamburgers, Aussie meat pies, salads, deserts and hot and cold drinks. Bring your camera for this stop. Admission to the museum is $5.00 for adults.
- Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop in Leakey. At the intersection of 337 and 83 continue straight on 337 for 1/4 of a mile. They just opened this new location in April of 2007. Stopping at the Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop is just one of those stops you just have to make. To quote the owners, Bob and Robin Albright, "Our place has became an oasis in the middle of nowhere." It's a fun place to visit and rest for spell.
- Lost Maples State Natural Area covers 2,174.2 scenic acres in Bandera and Real Counties, north of Vanderpool on the Sabinal River. Acquired by purchase from private owners in 1973 -1974, the site was opened to the public on September 1, 1979.
- Stonehenge II was erected as an art project by the late Al Shepperd and his friend and neighbor, Doug Hill. The finished product is 90% as wide as the original, and 60% the height. Visitors are welcome to walk around the project and enjoy its beauty. Stonehenge II is located near Hunt, Texas on FM1340.
- Fredericksburg is a little off route, but a neat town to shop, walk and eat.
- Llano is a little further north of Fredericksburg and worth the trip to Cooper's BBQ--Pork chop is thick, juicy and highly recommended as beef is the usual fare in this part of the world.
- And, on and on...