Bikers are allowed designated bike trails, certain multi-use trails, all public roads and any gated road on the Cherokee National Forest. In addition, the Ocoee Whitewater Center offers access to a 10-mile biking and hiking trail system. The restored Old Copper Road Historic Trail meanders along the Ocoee River for 2.4 miles, where outdoor enthusiasts can hike or bike the trail once used to haul copper ore from historic Ducktown to the trail head in Cleveland, Tennessee. For information on the Ocoee Whitewater Center, see Resources page.
Spinning Wheels
GORP's Biking Forum offers general bike talk, help in finding a cycling partner, and information on specific regions, including the Southeast.
The following trails are open for mountain biking. Rangers ask visitors not to block the gate with vehicles and to avoid causing any damage or erosion to the access area around the gates. Only the graveled portion of the roads may be used.
Ocoee Ranger District:
Arbutus Trail #141 - 0.7 miles
Red Leaf #144 - 0.3 miles
Azalea Trail # 141 - 0.4 miles
Benton Falls Trail #131 - 1.5 miles
Clemmer Trail #302 - 1.5 miles; 4.5 miles on Benton Falls Trail to the junction of Trail #302.
Tellico Ranger District: Trail #129, the Indian Boundary Lake Trail is open for biking. It is 3.6 miles long and is rated easy to moderate. The trail circles Indian Boundary Lake. Parking is available.
Watauga Ranger District: No trails designated specifically for mountain bicycles; however, biking is allow on some other trails. These are Flatwoods Horse Trail, Josiah Horse Trail, Rogers Ridge Horse Trail. All horse trails are yellow-blazed.
Bikes are also allowed on Flatwoods all-terrain vehicle trail and Keener Spur Trail (orange-blazed.)
Unaka Ranger District: Rock Creek Bicycle Trail, 0.84 mile long, is an easy trail that begins opposite Loop B in the Rock Creek Recreation Area and ends at Loop C. Bicyclists of all ages can enjoy this short trail.