The Tri-Cities isn't just a destination for singletrack. It may be one of the best places in the Southeast to explore by bike, thanks to an incredible network of forest roads, mountain passes, rail trails, and backcountry routes that seem to stretch endlessly across the Southern Appalachians.
Within just a few miles of nearly every community, pavement gives way to gravel, and gravel gives way to the vast road network of the Cherokee National Forest. Thousands of acres of public land are connected by hundreds of miles of Forest Service roads, allowing riders to create adventures limited only by their imagination. Whether you're looking for a two-hour escape after work or a sunrise-to-sunset mountain epic, the possibilities are virtually endless.
These aren't just gravel roads. They're historic mountain routes that wind through remote hollows, climb to breathtaking overlooks, cross high mountain ridges, and connect trail systems, campgrounds, rivers, and small Appalachian communities. One day might take you over Iron Mountain, the next through the rugged backcountry surrounding Buffalo Mountain or across the high country near Beauty Spot and Unaka Mountain. Every ride offers something different.
For riders interested in bikepacking, the region is equally impressive. Beginners can piece together their first overnight using established campgrounds, state parks, and forest recreation areas, while experienced adventurers can disappear into the mountains for multi-day expeditions linking together dozens of Forest Service roads and remote campsites. The network is expansive enough that no two trips ever need to be the same.
The Tri-Cities also sits at the crossroads of several nationally recognized adventure routes. The legendary TransAmerica Bicycle Trail passes directly through the heart of the region, bringing cyclists from across the world to Northeast Tennessee every year. Riders can also connect to countless backcountry routes throughout the Cherokee National Forest, making the area an ideal jumping-off point for long-distance exploration.
For those looking to push the adventure even further, the mountains offer opportunities beyond the bike. Many riders combine cycling with packrafting, carrying lightweight inflatable rafts to link together mountain roads, rivers, and lakes into truly unique multi-sport adventures. Paddle a section of the Nolichucky River, cross Watauga Lake, or explore one of the region's many waterways before continuing your journey on two wheels.
If you're looking for a more relaxed outing, the region also boasts three outstanding rail trails. The Tweetsie Trail connects Johnson City and Elizabethton, the Virginia Creeper Trail offers one of the country's most iconic rail-trail experiences from Abingdon, and the Mendota Trail showcases the beauty of Southwest Virginia through tunnels, bridges, and quiet mountain valleys.
Whether your goal is a peaceful gravel spin, an all-day mountain epic, or a week-long bikepacking adventure deep into the Cherokee National Forest, the Tri-Cities offers an unmatched diversity of natural surface riding. The trail may begin just outside your front door, but there's a good chance the adventure won't end until you're ready to turn around.
