As the weather warms and spring is upon us, it is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the beauty Appalachia has to offer. One of the many ways to enjoy the outdoors is by hopping on a bike and experiencing the rugged trails and greenways of the landscape. I have compiled a list of some of our region’s most popular and scenic places to visit on a bike.
First is Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park. For those who do not want to travel far from campus, this bike park has something for all skill levels and is in the heart of Johnson City. The bike park “covers over 40 acres of heavily wooded terrain.” It also features a paved pump track, a kids’ section and stunning views. The Breakfast Club trail is likely a favorite because it gives new riders a glimpse of mountain biking while being beginner-friendly. The Baby Flow trail is a popular intermediate-level one that looks simply thrilling.
Next is Winged Deer Mountain Bike Park. This park is also located in Johnson City and features nine bike trails. “Almost the whole trail system was volunteer-built.” The primary trail system is known as “Fly By Night,” with other trails branching off it. “Roll the Bones” is a popular and challenging course.
Another one is Tweetsie Trail. Most students have likely heard of this “rails-to-trails project” crossing the former East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad from Johnson City to Elizabethton. The nearly 10-mile trek can be walked, biked, or run. Along the path, a replica of the original train station is located, and nearly two dozen information markers have been installed to provide insights into the region’s history and natural habitats.
As a new addition to the community, there is Unaka Bike Park. Unaka Bike Park was established in 2022 in Unicoi County, less than a mile from downtown Erwin. The bike park trails boast more than “700 feet in elevation change.” It has seven trails in total, and the park project hopes to bring more business to Unicoi County.
Closer to my neck of the woods in Clinton is Aspire Park, which opened just last year and sits on 370 acres with plenty to do. It even has a restaurant on the premises. The pump track offers a smooth-paved track with two distinct areas for different skill levels. In addition, Aspire also features 17 trails with “a mix of singletrack, climbs, flow sections, and technical descents.” Properly maintained mountain bikes are recommended for this area, and helmets are required.
Next is Baker Creek Bike Park. In Knoxville, Baker Creek is the “gateway to Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness.” The park has pump tracks, crushed stone lines and an asphalt jump line. Just beyond is Baker Creek Reserve with six trails, one of which is the Devil’s Race Track, which is “not for the faint of heart.” Connected to the park are some shops, including Bear Paw Bikes, which rents, sells and services bikes and gear.
The legendary Windrock, which most biker enthusiasts know and cherish, is situated in Oliver Springs. It is the largest bike park in Tennessee, with 73,000 acres of off-road trails. It is the only park on the list that requires a permit, i.e., money, to enter the park. The trail system ranges from easy to extremely difficult. The park is so large that many people camp or rent a cabin and stay a night or two. Side-by-side vehicles are also popular for riding the trails. The park has a general store that sells goods, permits and SxS rentals. Windrock also has events most months of the year. This month is a “Lady Jeepers Extravaganza” and “Windrock Proven Off-Road Rally Featuring the Yamaha XT-R Challenge.”
Last but not least is the Tennessee Riverwalk in Chattanooga. This last one is a bit of a drive from Johnson City, but worth the journey. Chattanooga’s Riverwalk sprawls “16.1 miles along the southern banks of the Tennessee River.” The length of the path is perfect for biking, and there are plenty of places along it to shop, eat and appreciate the city’s natural surroundings. The greenway connects downtown Chattanooga to Chickamauga Dam. Many people love the Bluff View Art District for its coffee house, art gallery and beautiful gardens that create a pleasant ambiance.
I hope your next adventure awaits you at one of these extraordinary parks in our region.
