Get out of your 4-wheeled ride and take to the trails on 2, where fresh air, crisp breezes, invigorating exercise, and uninterrupted miles of Smoky Mountain views await you. Get in touch with the nature you are enjoying on the back deck while sipping on your morning coffee in the rocking chairs, relaxing in the steamy hot tub, and grilling burgers with the mountains majestically resting beyond fragrant smoke of lunch. You don’t have to cycle up and down any crazy hills or peddle up steep inclines to enjoy the breathtaking sights on your bike, so, don’t let that keep you from hitting the local trails.
The Smoky Mountains are home to prime dirt and paved biking routes perfect for the amateur rider. National Bike Week is a call to get outside and play: spend it cruising alongside rivers, through magical mountain valleys, and amongst the lush forestry of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during your relaxing Pigeon Forge, Tennessee cabin getaway!
Rentals
Don’t have a bike rack on your car? No worries! There are numerous shops to rent bicycles and all your safety gear. Cades Cove conveniently has a bike rental and gift shop at the entrance of this must-see portion of the park. These rentals are cheaper than most attractions in the area; adults can ride for $7.50/hour while kids are only $4.50/hour. The price includes your helmets too!
Bike the Smokies is an excellent source for everything you need to cycle among the mountains, offering Orbea 7 Speed bikes, Pedego Electric Bikes, helmets, and the racks to put on your car to take your bikes to the trails you want to ride! They also provide you with options for hourly, 3-hour, and 8-hour rentals for both types of bikes.
Electric bikes are the way to go for those who aren’t as agile as they used to be but want to join the grandkids for a fun ride along the trails. Walk-ins are welcome, but it’s always best to stick to the safe side and reserve your bikes ahead of time by visiting their website or simply giving their helpful staff a call!
Trails
Cades Cove
Cades Cove is easily one the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s most iconic stops; why not enjoy it to the fullest – outside of the car. This area is notorious for traffic during the peak season from May to September; however, there is a way to experience Cades Cove with less cars (and more wildlife!) Beginning on May 8 and lasting until September 25, Cades Cove Loop Road is closed off to vehicle traffic before 10 a.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Bring your own bikes or get to Cades Cove Bike Rental early because rentals are first-come, first-serve basis only beginning at 6:30 a.m. It is totally worth the early morning, though, because there is not much like the first golden light of the sun crawling over the surrounding mountains, illuminating the dew on the lush, grassy valley, while deer, bears, elk, and other wildlife scouring for food in the cool of the summer day.
The versatility of your ride is fantastic, too. Make it a half-day ride and cruise the entire 11-mile Loop Road as you tour all the restored historic cabins and churches of the remote village that was once the home of the early settling families. Maybe you have some other plans for the afternoon but you don’t want to miss out on a car-free morning on Wednesday or Saturday, take the cut-through trails! Hyatt Lane is only an 8-mile round-trip tour while Sparks Lane is a brisk 4-mile tour through Cades Cove around 2 of the historic structures and the Cades Cove Horse Stables.
Gatlinburg Trail
Heavily wooded and creeping alongside the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River, the Gatlinburg Trail is perfect for those who want to spend the morning biking and then wandering around downtown Gatlinburg before grabbing some lunch. The trail hedges up right to the outskirts of Gatlinburg and meanders through the forests for a flat, relaxing ride to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, only 3.8 miles round-trip.
Enjoy the soothing sounds of the tame West Prong flowing and the lush foliage that grows along her banks as you take in some much-needed fresh mountain air. With historic structures and benches along the way, you can always stop off for a break. If you are traveling with the family’s favorite 4-legged friend, they can join the ride too. Gatlinburg Trail is 1 of only 2 trails in the Smokies open to pets! Let them enjoy the invigorating adventure through the woods while staying in one of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Cabins’ pet-friendly log chalets.
Shadows of the Past
Located in nearby Townsend, the Shadows of the Past Trail is a favorite among locals and repeat visitors! In the peaceful, picturesque Tuckaleechee Cove, there are numerous highlights on this gorgeous 10-mile paved trail. Pick up an informative booklet at the Townsend Visitor Center or stop off to read the markers that detail the areas where Native Americans, early English settlers, railroads, and loggers made use of the land long before your bicycle tires hit this trail. The thick forestry and flat ride make the 10 miles of biking and learning an adventure everyone will love!
Find out more about biking and trails in the Great Smoky Mountains, here, and enjoy your stay in a Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Cabin to the fullest!
