If you’re looking for ways to explore the Chattanooga region of Southeast Tennessee by bike, then check out Bikeways of the Scenic South – a collection of curated cycling routes throughout the region featuring breathtaking scenery, low-traffic roads, points of interest along the route and specific details about places to park, rest and refuel.

This network of road cycling routes is available at ScenicBikeways.com and includes downloadable maps, turn-by-turn cue sheets, notable points of interest, conveniences, and descriptive narratives of what to expect along the routes.

“The narratives don’t just describe the roads, scenery and landmarks, but also talk about where to stop for a drink and a snack and where to eat after the ride,” says Shannon Burke of Chattanooga-based Velo View Bike Tours, who developed the routes and website.

A wide variety of routes are mapped throughout the following areas of Southeast Tennessee – all within about an hour’s drive of Chattanooga:

Sequatchie Valley:  Stretching for miles with an excellent network of backroads crisscrossing the farmland, the Sequatchie Valley is perfect for short loops or all-day adventures. Whatever distance you want, there’s a great ride to fit the bill in one of the most picturesque valleys in the eastern United States.

Tennessee River Basin:  From the streets of Chattanooga to the nearby country backroads, the Tennessee River Basin routes offer a wide variety of topography and scenery, as well as numerous options for where to start and finish. Launch straight out of downtown Chattanooga or opt for a small town adventure north of the city – either way you’ll find beautiful cycling in the heart of the Chattanooga region.

Three Rivers Way:  Stretching from the mountains of the Cherokee National Forest to the Tennessee River Basin, the Ocoee, Hiwassee and Tellico rivers form a landscape that offers a beautiful diversity of scenic cycling, including the best gravel roads in the region. No matter what you’re looking for, Three Rivers Way has your ride!

The website will eventually include routes in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama, as well.

Each cycling route is downloadable in the Ride with GPS app and includes route narratives, modification options and suggestions for places to park, rest and refuel.

“While our region has some of the most scenic cycling roads anywhere in the country, finding those low-traffic backroads has not always been easy,” says Jim Johnson, founder of BikeTours.com in Chattanooga and an early proponent of the regional scenic bikeways concept. “Bikeways of the Scenic South will help both visitors and residents discover these beautiful backroads.”

Check out these and other fun bike ride events coming up this year:

Monkey Town Masher – July 11, 2020

Cycle Sequatchie – October 3, 2020