Cades Cove Loop Road:
This trail offers scenic mountain beauty. Portions of the trail feature historic cabins, churches, a grist mill, mountain streams, and panoramic vistas. This is a very good paved road.
Location: Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From the Visitor Center in Townsend, travel 2.9 miles on Hwy 73 to the "Y" intersection. Turn right and travel 6 miles. Parking is available at Cades Cove Store. Bicycle rentals are also available at the store.
Length: 11 mile loop

Townsend "Shadows of the Past" Historical Trail:
This trail offers scenic mountain beauty. Portions of the trail run along the river. The trail provides access to great mom and pop restaurants, shops, and motels. Parking is available at both ends of the trail. This is a good paved trail with short hills.
Location: US 321 in Townsend.
Length: Approximately 9 miles with 3 underpasses

Bicycling in the National Park:

Bicycles can travel on most roads within the park. However, due to steep terrain, narrow road surfaces, and heavy automobile traffic, many park roads are not well suited for safe and enjoyable bicycle riding.

Cades Cove Loop Road is an exception. The 11-mile one way road, is a popular bicycling area. It provides bicyclists with excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and touring 19th century homesites. During summer and fall, bicycles may be rented at the Cades Cove Campground Store (located near Cades Cove Campground). For information call (865) 448-9034.

Beginning the second week in May, the loop road is closed to motor vehicle traffic Wednesday and Saturday mornings until 10:00 a.m. to allow bicyclists and pedestrians to enjoy the cove. This closure continues through the second-to-last Saturday in September.

Other areas suitable for bicyclists include Greenbrier and Tremont roads in Tennessee, and Lakeview Drive, and Cataloochee Valley in North Carolina. Cyclists may also traverse unfinished portions of the Foothills Parkway in Tennessee. Download a park map to locate these areas.

Safety is always a major concern where cars and bicycles must share the road. The State of Tennessee requires that children age 16 and under wear a helmet. We strongly recommend that all riders wear helmets, use rear view mirrors, and ride properly fitted and well-maintained bicycles. Please obey all traffic regulations.

There are no mountain biking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Gatlinburg Trail, the Oconaluftee River Trail, and the lower Deep Creek Trail are the only park trails on which bicycles are allowed. Bicycles are prohibited on all other park trails.

Tennessee law requires bike riders 16 years old and younger to wear a helmet when riding a bike. Due to potential danger of the road, it is strongly suggested that all riders wear a proper biking helmet.