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0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

Interesting... I've been riding FM4 for the last 15 years and never heard it called "Santo Highway"! If you're only riding from Palo Pinto to Santo, that certainly is the best stretch of the road, but you're missing out on the other 75 miles of FM4. Start in Cleburne at Hwy 67 and follow FM4 north from there (or in Graford and go south). Follow it through downtown area of Granbury, through Lipan and then into Santo (that's about 55-60 miles). Not real technical twisty roads but loads of fast sweepers that are very entertaining. The next 15 miles into Palo Pinto are among the more fun roads in north TX and I'll often ride out from the DFW area just to do this stretch a few times. But keep going north on FM4 from Palo Pinto - the first few miles are more of the same before the road really straightens out a lot (good for high speed runs... traffic is very sparse!), ending in Graford. 90+ miles of continuous fun on the same road... Turn around and repeat going the other direction :)

4 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

I've only been on the short bit south of 180 going South. This is one of the few roads in N. Texas with elevation AND camber at the same time. Coming down the hill looking south gives a nice panoramic of the cross timbers area.
One word of caution: This route is popular with bikers. We were passed by 5-6 sport bikes going north on our way south. Ergo it's also popular with the law. We were stopped by a trooper hiding in the bushes (literally; way off the road near the fence) for going 6. He had been so busy writing tickets that he had run out of paper. Even after searching through his trunk for several minutes he had to let us go w/ a warning. My cohort with no inspection or ins card was very relieved to put it lightly.
Your luck may vary.

Have a great ride!

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

An addition to the Tadpole Camp road route. West from Tadpole Camp about 1/2 mile. Left turn under Palo Pinto Lake Dam and follow very windy, twisty (go slow) road through beautiful country to Gordon, TX. West from Gordon to Mingus, South to Smokehouse Restaurant for a meal. WK Gordon museum across I-20. This area is an old coal mining town and full of history. Many other back roads are accesible from here. Great ride. If you need bike repairs in this area Smitty's Cycles is available 940-325-3253 in Mineral Wells'

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

About half way between Santo and Palo Pinto is tadpole camp. Take the road to the west and then the first right to go below the dam spillway. The county road becomes narrow and the bends and cutbacks are tight, continue on to FM 108 and follow the signs to take you completely around Palo Pinto lake and back to tad pole camp. Not many signs be prepared to use dead reckoning! Just keep to the right.
A straight shot to Lone Camp once you go over bridge by the power plant.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

I agree..this is by far the wildest scenery within 100miles of DFW. Don't forget to ride the backroads around lake Palo Pinto if you're not in a hurry.