Bike Riding and Rentals in the Smoky Mountains

Rent a Bike and Ride in Cades Cove and Surrounding Areas

It’s early summer in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Chances are good you’ve gotten behind a camper or two sporting a loaded bike rack as you’ve made your way along our mountain roads. Might have gotten you thinking about a refreshing bike ride, drinking in the pure mountain air and possibly enjoying some wildlife sightings! There’s good news in that department! Let’s dive into ways to enjoy biking the Smokies.

While bikes are not allowed on most trails in the park, bike-loving visitors have got some really good options! We’ll start with the easiest. The Cades Cove Loop, an 11-mile ride through beautiful Cades Cove, is always open to bike traffic. No reason to worry about sharing the road with vehicles as the traffic moves at a pretty slow pace. A bike is a very good option for travel on this road, as you’ll not be hampered by endless traffic jams caused by wildlife sightings. You can stop and enjoy a picnic or take the perfect family photo. What’s more, you can rent a bike at the rental location at the Cades Cove Campground close to the start of the loop. Call 865-448-9034 for reservations. From June 18 until September 24 of this year the Cades Cove Loop will be closed to vehicular traffic on Wednesdays so walkers and bikers can more fully enjoy their day.

Before we move on to other places to enjoy biking here in God’s country, let’s talk about where you can rent a bike if you haven’t brought your own on vacation with you. 1 Ebike Rental in Pigeon Forge has electric bikes for rent. Head on over to 1ebikerental.com and reserve yours. Get ready for some serious fun. Experience the joys of biking combined with the convenience of that little boost of motor power when you get tired or face a daunting hill. Pure heaven! Gatlinburg Adventure Rentals also offers electric bikes for rent.

If you’re into mountain biking, Vee Hollow in Townsend Tennessee is the place to be. The 14-mile mountain biking trail system offers four distinct “zones” designed to give different riding experiences. It’s free and open to the public. Vee Hollow Bike Shop offers electric mountain bikes and other types of bikes for rent. Check them out at rideveehollow.com.

You’ve rented your bikes, now what? Well, the Gatlinburg Trail is calling your name! Start at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, wind your way along the Little Pigeon River and end up in Gatlinburg. This 3.8-mile (roundtrip) ride is off road, but it’s not terribly challenging. Another fun off-road jaunt is the Oconaluftee River Trail. At just 1.5 miles one way, this route is suitable for varying skill and fitness levels. Start your ride at the Oconaluftee Visitors Center and breeze into the outskirts of Cherokee, North Carolina. Head back the way you  came for three miles of fun.

You’ve rented your bike for the day or the week? Take time to explore the Pigeon Forge Riverwalk or the Sevierville Greenway Trail, both featuring river views! You may want to add the Maryville-Alcoa Greenway, which treats you to lake views. Finally, if you are brave enough to try road biking in the Smokies, the Tremont area of the park features some less congested riding opportunities. You’ll still need to be vigilant! Experienced riders will do great.

If you’ve never ridden an electric bike, your rental company will go over the basics. However, some things bear repeating. Your helmet is key! You may want to get a feel for the bike in a parking lot or other “safe” space away from other bikers and cars before you hit the road or trails. There is a bit of a learning curve as far as handling goes. You may want to keep your pedal assist setting at the lowest point in the beginning, until you feel confident. Making turns takes some planning and care. Go slow or even stop at any point that you feel unsure. Accidents can be prevented with an excess of caution.

Make sure you have plenty of water with you. Biking, like hiking, takes a lot out of you, even with electric assist. You’ll be thirsty before you know it. Buy all of the right gear for your day (or week) on the bike at Off The Chain Bicycles in Sevierville, REI in Pigeon Forge, Maryville Bike and Trail, or any of a plethora of retailers in the area.

Finally, get out there and have a blast!