Biking

Chattanooga has improved its status to Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community and become a mountain biking mecca over the past decade. The mountains and varied terrain around the Scenic City offers a wide variety of biking opportunities for families and recreational cyclists seeking relatively flat paved pathways, for road cyclists seeking lung busting mountain climbs, and for mountain bikers seeking those fast, flowy or technical trails. With over 100 miles of singletrack within an hours drive of downtown, mountain bikers can spend hours and days exploring trails, while road cyclists and recreational cyclists can find over 75 miles of roadways, bike lanes, and paved pathways to cruise on around town. The Bike Chattanooga Bicycle Transit System gives adult riders of all skill levels 24/7 access to 325, 7-speed cruiser bicycles and 15 electric bicycles docked in 40 stations throughout the downtown Chattanooga area. Stations are convenient to restaurants, attractions, and parks. Pick the perfect place to fit your riding style from the location list below.

Types of Biking in Chattanooga

Road Cycling | Bike Commuting

Road cycling is the most widespread form of cycling. It includes recreational, racing, and utility cycling. Road cyclists are expected to obey the same rules and laws as other vehicle drivers.

Chattanooga’s rolling rural landscapes, surrounding valleys, and challenging mountain climbs are great options for all skill levels. Chickamauga Battlefield, Moccasin Bend, Raccoon Mountain, and Enterprise South are all great places for road cyclists to explore.

Paved Greenways | Non-motorized pathways

Paved greenways are non-motorized pathways open to cyclists and pedestrians. They are an excellent choice for the casual cyclist to get out on two wheels without the worry of riding in traffic or having to have a specialized bike for off-road riding.

Chattanooga has several greenways around town including the popular Tennessee Riverpark, South Chickamauga Creek, and North Chickamauga Creek Greenway.

Greenways | Rail Trails

Off-road greenways often surfaced with light gravel, are the best option for families and beginners. They do not require special equipment and can be ridden with most hybrid and kids bicycles.

In the Chattanooga area, the Brainerd Levee/Camp Jordan Loop and Lookout Mountain’s Guild/Hardy Trail are excellent greenways for beginning off-road and recreational cyclists.

Forest Service Roads | Double Track

Old forest service roads, sometimes called “double track,” or multi-use off-road trails can offer the beginning to intermediate level mountain biker the challenge of varied terrain without the technical expertise needed for singletrack.

Prentice Cooper State Forest on the Cumberland Plateau, the Cloudland Canyon Connector Trail on Lookout Mountain and the Cherokee National Forest, one hour east of Chattanooga, all have an abundance of these types of trails.

Singletrack

Singletrack is usually an 18″ wide trail that requires a higher level of skill and confidence on a purpose-built mountain bike. The terrain requires quick reflexes and the ability to ride over logs and boulders, through creeks, and up and down severe elevations.

Raccoon Mountain, 5 Points, Stringers Ridge, Enterprise South Nature Park, and the Biology Trails, offer beginner-friendly to difficult singletrack. Most area singletrack is for the intermediate to the advanced level mountain biker.

Best Tips for New Cyclists

Beginner Mountain Biker Tips

Tips for Beginner Mountain Bikers

Tips for Riding Advanced Features

Tips for Staying Visible while Cycling