Mountain Biking.
The terrain around Chattanooga offers some of the most diverse opportunities for all types of cycling, especially mountain biking. Our mountains offer a challenge to the most experienced technical cyclists, while off road parks and greenways offer leisure opportunities for families.
Mountain biking takes you into the woods where there is little to no traffic. A bicycle offers the opportunity to cover much more mileage than on foot.
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Greenways/Rail Trails
Lookout Mountain's Guild/Hardy Trail
Off road greenways, often surfaced with 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, Lookout Mountain's Guild/Hardy Trail and the Cloudland Canyon Connector Trail are all excellent trails for beginning mountain bikers or the recreational cyclist.
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Two Track
Kimsey Highway in the Cherokee National Forest
Photo courtesy the Chattanooga Hiking Club
Logging roads or "two track" can offer the beginning to intermediate level mountain biker the challenge of varied terrain without the technical expertise needed for singletrack. The Cherokee National Forest, one hour east of Chattanooga, is webbed with these roads.
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Singletrack
On Raccoon Mountain's "Chunky" Trail - Photo courtesy SORBA Chattanooga
Singletrack requires a fair amount of coordination and technique. Riding is in more quick spurts, stops and turns, and technical maneuvering over logs, around rocks and through dense forested areas. Though there are a couple of good beginner singletrack options in the Chattanooga area, most are for the intermediate to advanced level mountain biker.
Mtn. Bike Rentals (Cherokee Nat. Forest)
Big Frog Expeditions
Outdoor Adventure Rafting (OAR)
Mtn. Bike Rentals (Chattanooga)
Trek Bicycle Store of Chattanooga
Mtn. Bike Clubs (Chattanooga)
Velo Vixens Womens Cycling Club
Trail Map Resources
