Things to do / Travel Guide
Central Kentucky and Tennessee look satisfyingly sweet upon the seat of a bicycle. Enjoy back roads that ribbon through idyllic countryside, speed along the shores of the Tennessee, Ohio, and Cumberland Rivers, and enjoy the strenuous challenges of scenic mountain biking trails. Bike rentals are available in most of Central Kentucky and Tennessee's larger towns and cities including Louisville and Lexington in Kentucky, and Oneida, Murfreesboro, Nashville, and Chattanooga in Tennessee.
Central Kentucky Road Biking
- Far from barren, the Barren River Lake State Resort Park trail in Barren County runs for two paved miles around a golf course, through wooded meadows, and beautiful hardwood forests.
- Wind your way along the wharf on the seven-mile, asphalt Louisville Riverwalk Trail that traces the Ohio River from Belvedere to Shawnee Park. The trail provides an urban backdrop for a relaxing riverside ride.
- If you're down around Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, head to the West Brow trail. This 34-mile loop shouldn't be much of a problem for intermediate and advanced riders and it gives you spectacular views over the Lookout Mountain Flight Park where you can see hang gliders soaring by.
Central Kentucky Mountain Biking
- The behemoth Mammoth Cave Tours trails total 32 miles of gravel loops in the breathtaking Mammoth Cave National Park. The Joppa Ridge Loop is nine miles long with a couple of long climbs, and the Flint Ridge Loop covers 12 miles. The rides are good for cyclists of all bike riding skill levels.
- A scenic route amidst natural beauty, you'll follow hard-packed single-track (good for novices and advanced cyclists alike) through eight miles of forest on the Otter Creek Trail in Brandenburg.
Central Tennessee Road Biking
- The best way to get to know the Cumberland River is biking along her banks. The Shelby Bottoms Greenway runs for five paved miles and another six miles of rustic trail (wood chips, grass, and dirt) all within Nashville. You can also bike over the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge and gaze upon Nashville and look down at the Cumberland.
- Ride across the longest pedestrian bridge in the world (Walnut Street Bridge) on Chattanooga's Tennessee Riverpark. You'll also enjoy 12 miles of concrete, greenway trail that follows the shores of the Tennessee River, winds through the Bluff Art District, past the University of Tennessee, and ends at Fishing Park below Chickamuga Dam.
Central Tennessee Mountain Biking
- A great Chattanooga challenge, complete with hills and rocky sections, awaits you at Lookout Mountain. You'll start at the trailhead near Ruby Falls and then follow a 10-mile stretch within the Chattanooga National Battlefield, earning yourself some great views of downtown Chattanooga.
- The 12 miles of maze-like double-track at Cemetery Loop in Prentice Cooper State Forest features rocky and technical terrain that will give you a workout. Short, steep hills eventually lead you to outstanding views of the Tennessee River.
- Spend a weekend at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and you still won't have exhausted all the mountain biking options. Located in Oneida, along the Cumberland Plateau you'll enjoy 1,500-2,000-foot elevations and beautifully-forested areas. Big South Fork Ramble is a five-mile, rolling, forested gravel trail and Collier Ridge is a five-mile single-track loop through hardwood forests, with several creek crossings that range from moderate to easy.
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