Because of the hilly and mountainous environment of the area, Gatlinburg is an excellent place to go mountain biking during your vacation. It is home to some of the highest elevations in the southeastern United States creating a niche for natural mountain biking trails in Gatlinburg with ideal conditions for maximum entertainment.
Gatlinburg Mountain Biking Conditions
Not only is Gatlinburg a beautiful forested and challenging locale for mountain biking, but it also gives you more control over your bike than it would in other parts of the county. Because of the tacky nature of the dirt here, which sticks to your tires a little bit as you ride, the dirt provides extra traction and allows riders to control their bikes while still maintaining their speed during turns and other maneuvers. The trails here also require a wide range of techniques, and are often bare of crowds, as the population is largely spread out.
Awesome Trails to Experience
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park might seem like an obvious choice for a ride, but there are actually only a limited number of multi-use trails here. Hiking trails are off-limits to bikers, but trails located off of Cades Cove Loop like Hyatt Lane and Sparks Lane offer a shorter ride. Experienced riders will want to try Forge Creek Road or Rich Mountain Road. If you happen to come between the second weekend of May and the second-to-last weekend of September, ride Cades Cove Loop on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, as it is closed off to automobiles on those days.
Another trail suited to beginning mountain bikers is the two-mile long Gatlinburg mountain biking trail, which begins at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and follows the Little Pigeon River, providing scenic views and up-close glimpses of historic ruins.
Oconaluftee River Trail is also a scenic and easy trail that is mostly flat—a rarity in Gatlinburg. It begins at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.
If you don’t want to try to find the trails yourself, hit the manmade trails at Climbworks Mountain Biking! Offering both dirt and wooden trails, this facility is suited for Gatlinburg mountain bikers of all skill levels, and has on-site instructors to teach you techniques.
Plan an Unforgettable Mountainside Getaway with The Cabin Rental Store
Contact our team of reservation specialists to find out more about mountain biking in Gatlinburg and other awesome activities that you’ll enjoy in the area when you reserve your trip accommodations in one of the elite vacation rental cabins that The Cabin Rental Store has to offer for your stay today!
