Aldridge Creek Greenway
This multi-use path begins on Mtn. Gap road near the intersection with Bailey Cove. Ample parking is provided. The trail is accessed by riding from the parking lot across the creek and then turning left on the greenway. Riders will pass Challenger Middle School and McGuckin Park eventually arriving at Ditto's Landing Marina. Turn right into the Marina continue past the campground and ride through the picnic area. The bike path will reappear and continue along the Tennessee river for another mile, ending at the Whitesburg Yacht Club. Click for Map.
Indian Creek Greenway
This neighborhood path continues to grow into a valuable resource for Madison residents and can be picked up on Old Madison Pike near the bridge over Indian Creek. Click for Map.
Limestone County Trail
This beautiful trail follows an abandoned rail corridor from Athens Alabama to the Tennessee state line passing through Elkmont, Alabama.
Tim's Ford State Park
Tim's Ford is a beautiful Tennessee state park less than an hour from Huntsville. Amenities include cabins, camping and a swimming pool, and while not particularly long at only five miles, the bike path at Tim's Ford is in a wonderful wooded setting and well worth the trip. Click for Map
Chief Ladiga Trail
The old Silver Comet once rode the tracks between Atlanta and Birmingham. Now this abandoned rail corridor is being transformed into a 99 mile rail trail from Piedmont, Alabama to Rockmart, Georgia. For ten years, Alabamians have been hard at work, acquiring the federal funds necessary to create this riding opportunity. Click for Map
Nashville Greenways
The Greenways Commission of Metro Parks is working to expand its system of multi-use paved trails and primitive hiking trails along the Cumberland, Stones and Harpeth rivers, as well as Richland, Whites, Seven Mile and Mill creeks. These trails will eventually form a network of corridors which will link communities throughout Nashville. A ride we recommend starts at the J. Percy Priest Reservoir and continues into downtown Nashville. Multiple pedestrian bridges provide safe connections across the meandering Cumberland river. Click for Maps.
Chilhowee Trail System
This is a great weekend get away
about 40 miles east of
Tanasi Trail System
Just 15 minutes from Chilhowee
is another great system of trails. A map is recommended and can be
picked up at the Forest Service office or the Whitewater Center. Stay on
Hwy 64 head east beside the
Hurricane Creek Park
Hurricane Creek near Cullman, Alabama bills itself as an All-Mountain and Freeriding Park with some Cross-Country. It is definitely the only park in Alabama that offers a significant amount of riding on wooden structures. Teeter-Totters, Skinnys, Ramps and Wooden Berms are available to test your skills, your bike and your protective gear.
Oak Mountain State Park
Birmingham's premiere park has something for everyone including one of the best mountain bike trails found in a urban area. Cabins and camping are available at the park and entertainment, dining and shopping are only minutes away.
Raccoon Mountain
With more than seventeen miles of singletrack, Raccoon mountain is Chattanooga's premiere mountain bike trail Conveniently located southeast of the city just minutes from I-75, you should not miss an opportunity to experience some great intermediate level trails that were built specifically for bikes.. Click here for a Map
Bike Paths near Huntsville
Dedicated bike paths area great place to start riding away from the hustler and bustle of city streets. While we do not have a large number of paths in this area, an ambitious greenway plan is in place. Hopefully in the future our local governments will become more proactive in the pursuit of the federal dollars that allow these projects to become a reality. Huntsville's Greenway Plan
Bankhead National Forest
This National Forest in northwest Alabama sees relatively few visitors but that is no indication of the beauty that awaits. Enter the forest from the north on Hwy. 36 about 15 miles west of Decatur. Turn left on forest service road 249, following signs to the Pine Torch Trailhead. Park here, pay fee ($3.00). 14, 20 and 30 mile rides are possible. The trails are well marked but a map is recommended. There has been extensive damage to the trail due to pine beetle mitigation efforts but the trail is beginning to rebound. This is a multi-use trail and equestrians are adamant that their rights be respected. Our favorite ride creates a figure 8 of Pine Torch and Brushy Creek .Land Trust (Monte Sano Preserve)
More technical riding on the west face of Monte Sano.
Leave the Land Trust parking lot on old
Land Trust
(Wade
Mountain Preserve)
This trail is 70% very easy and 30% very hard. From the trailhead, ride about two miles to the crest of Wade Mtn. The trail will offer left, right and forward options. The right trial opens into the Devil's Race Track, a unique geological feature not appropriate for mountain biking. The left trail continues on for quite awhile but is mostly on private property, instead continue forward through a small field and follow the new trail around the top of the knob. It will spill you out on the left option so turn left to return to the main intersection and then right to return to the trailhead. Click for MAP
Wheeler Wildlife Refuge
This is dirt road riding at its
finest. A really nice place to try if you are just getting acquainted
with cycling or if you need a break from the technical trails of our
area. Head west away from Madison on Hwy. 20.Turn Left on
Adventure Center
We can sell you bikes and gear all day long, but if we haven't helped introduce some adventure into your life, we haven't done our job. So below you will find great riding in our area. Whether you are headed to Tennessee, Georgia, Colorado or Italy, we are available to help you plan your next great adventure!
Road Riding near Huntsville
North Alabama offers great road riding. Huntsville's 100+ year old Spring City Cycling Club has a free ride atlas for members and lists some rides on their website. Here's a few rides, some local some not, that we really enjoy.
Hurricane Valley
Quiet roads and beautiful scenery wait just minutes from town in northeast Madison County. While accessible by bike, you may wish to drive a bit if the thought of riding out of town on narrow two lane roads seems intimidating. Madison County Lake makes an excellent starting point with a small store, public restrooms and ample parking. Rides of any length are easily accommodated in this area and we can recommend anything from a ten mile loop to treks into Tennessee all on roads with relatively light traffic.
Mountain Biking near Huntsville
Off-road opportunities are fairly plentiful in our area but no trails are widely publicized or clearly marked so local knowledge is a must . Below are some sample rides that are popular with local riders. Please feel free to drop for directions to more trail rides in Alabama, Tennessee and North Carolina.
Cherry Tree Loop
This is a natural for anyone who lives in the Hampton Cove area. South Huntsville residents can incorporate this ride with beginning and ending climbs of Cecil Ashburn Drive and have a really challenging ride. This ride typically starts at the Hampton Cove ball fields and heads south on Old Hwy 431. After crossing several one-lane bridges, turn left onto Cherry Tree Lane and follow until it ends several miles later. Then turn right on New Hope Cedar Point Road and continue into the town of New Hope. Here choices include the Simpson Point Road climb or an easier return on Old Gurley Pike or through Owens Crossroads on Old Hwy 431.
Cherohala Skyway
If climbing is your passion, this scenic highway north east of Chattanooga cannot be beat for light traffic and epic vistas. The skyway is a three hour drive from Huntsville to Tellico Plains Tennessee. Begin your ride at the Indian Boundary campground which has nice facilities and a day use area, elevation aprox. 1800 ft. Riding east, you will climb steadily for nearly fourteen miles before reaching the Santeetlah Overlook at 5,390 ft. If a truly epic ride is your goal, you may continue to end of the skyway near the Joyce Kilmer Forest. Doing this will cause you to lose nearly 2000 ft in elevation which of course means another major climb and descent back to your starting point. This road is surrounded by wilderness area and even a bear sanctuary .And yes, bears may be sighted on the parkway. Weather conditions can change dramatically here. Always carry rain gear on this ride. Although this description is for an "out and back" ride, many cyclists will ride a loop by adding Deal's Gap. But be forewarned US HWY 219 is known as "The Tail of the Dragon".
The riding here is technical. Roots and rocks dominate the trails and that means beginners may take plenty of soil samples. Here's a trail description to get you started if you are new to the area. Enter the park at
