Top 5 Reasons to Bring Your Bike to Chattanooga: Premier Trails and Events
Chattanooga, the Scenic City, has solidified its status as a premier cycling destination in recent years. USA Cycling has honored it by hosting two professional road championships here. The IRONMAN Triathlon series attracts global athletes to cycle, swim, and run through the area, while the annual 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge has been the Southeast's leading century ride for over 25 years.
You don't need to join a major event or even own a bike to enjoy cycling in Chattanooga. Bike Chattanooga, a convenient bike-share system, offers hundreds of bikes at 33 stations citywide, available 24/7 year-round. Each station includes a touch-screen kiosk, maps, and a docking system for easy rentals. It's the fastest way to explore on two wheels. Opt for 24-hour or three-day passes with unlimited 60-minute rides, and use the app for seamless payments and info.
Chattanooga offers diverse cycling options, from urban paths to challenging mountain trails. Here are five standout routes:
1. Chattanooga Riverwalk
The Tennessee Riverpark is a beloved recreational gem in Hamilton County. The Riverwalk, a wide concrete path, stretches 13 miles from Chickamauga Dam to Ross's Landing downtown. Multiple access points and parking let you pick your distance—up to a 26-mile round trip. Enjoy rest areas with fountains, half-mile markers, mile-spaced artwork, and stunning Tennessee River views. Minimal elevation, slightly uphill outbound, makes downtown finishes rewarding.
2. Moccasin Bend Loop
This iconic two-lane road on Chattanooga's peninsula is a road biker's dream: straight, nearly flat, smooth asphalt that begs for speed. Close to downtown, Red Bank, and North Shore, the Moccasin Bend Loop draws fast-paced cyclists in jerseys.
3. Mountain Cove Loop
An epic 80-mile road bike loop ascends Lookout Mountain, traverses scenic countryside on low-traffic roads, and descends back to Chattanooga. Starting downtown, it follows the valley south, climbs Lookout, rolls across, reclimbs, and drops triumphantly—ideal for weekend adventures.
4. Enterprise South Nature Park
Just 20 minutes from downtown, this park suits all mountain biking levels with 10 miles across three trails. Beginner-friendly Enterprise South Nature Park shines for kids on the fast, flowy Black Forest Trail with minimal elevation and no tech features. Advanced riders tackle the TNT Trail's roots, rocks, and climbs.
5. Raccoon Mountain
Advanced riders love Raccoon Mountain's 30 miles of intermediate-to-expert singletrack, only 15 minutes from downtown. Developed through a pioneering IMBA-SORBA and TVA partnership around the pumped-storage reservoir, these sustainable trails transformed rugged terrain into a biking haven. Don't miss Chattanooga skyline views from East Overlook or Tennessee River Gorge glimpses.
Photo Credit (top to bottom): Jeff Bartlett, Robyn Carlton, Rodger Ling x2, Elizabeth Glas, Jeff Bartlett
