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Local trails allow communities to get a regular dirt fix, and we couldn't love them more.  From challenging singletrack to flowy berms and spectacular mountain views, there is always something epic close to home.

We highly recommend using MTB Project online and on your phone when riding in our area.  The free app is not only a great way to get to know your new favorite trail, but also allows you to download your routes ahead of time, read reviews, get trail conditions, and of course map your route along the way.

Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park

Riding distance from downtown Johnson City's shops, breweries, and restaurants, Tannery Knobs covers over 40 acres of heavily wooded terrain.  Designed as a skills park for all ages, riders can experience the thrill of off road riding in a progressive environment.  All trails and features have been professionally designed and built, ensuring enthusiasts and beginners alike will find the perfect ride.

Tannery Knobs is more than just bikes.  Take in the amazing views hiking or trail running, making the park accessible for the entire community.

Buc Ridge (ETSU) - Johnson City, TN

This ride combines great sections of trail located right in the heart of Johnson City on the campus of ETSU. They are open to anyone, not just students. 

This featured ride is the typical XC loop that is just a bit below six miles long. The terrain is rolling with some short climbs and fun downhills. The trails have plenty of rocks and roots to keep things interesting and also have a few small rock drops thrown in at a couple places, but all the rock drops do have ride-arounds. 

The trails snake their way around the property so there are many cut-throughs that allow you to skip sections, but keep an eye out, as some of these can cause some confusion your first time out.  Follow the orange flags that easily mark the main trail.

Winged Deer - Johnson City, TN

The first mountain bike trail built and opened at Winged Deer Park in Johnson City, TN in 2018. Created in partnership between Johnson City and SORBA Tri-Cities, the trail is now over 3 miles of fun and twisty single track.

The Fly-by-night trail begins and ends at the northwest end of the parking lot aka the disc golf parking lot (as do all of the trails). It features relatively mild grades overall with only a couple sections being steep and punchy. There are optional features like drops and jumps, but everything on this trail is 100% rollable with a good quality mountain bike.

 

Roll the bones takes things to the next level with practically more rock than dirt!  What it lacks in mileage, it more than makes up for in delicious rocky goodness.  Keep in mind not all features are rollable in this trail, so ride within your skill level and heed the signs.

 

Tom Sawyer is the newest trail at Winged Deer and was built exclusively to cater to kids (how cool is that!?).  Flow and fun merge into one awesome trail fit for the whole family.

Buffalo Mountain - Johnson City, TN

This 13 mile route starts and ends from the parking lot of trail #29 in the Cherokee National Forest and truly has the best of everything. Kick things off with a short (but fast) descending road ride headed down Dry Creek Road just outside of Downtown Johnson City and through the incredible Cherokee National Forest. Left on Forest Road 188 quickly turns into a spectacular gravel/dirt climb all the way to the fire tower on the top of Buffalo Mountain. Hop on trail #29 for a rowdy descent back to Dry Creek road filled with everything from smooth hardpack, crazy steep dips, berms, and ROCKS. Road - gravel - trail, all with views that make the effort completely worth it. 

The Full Buffalo

Ready for even more national forest goodness?  Challenge yourself to a full loop on trail #29 leaving from downtown Johnson City and dropping off the back side of the mountain to Erwin and back (you can cut 12 miles on the road by parking at the trail #29 trailhead).  This 40 mile beast racks up over 3,600ft of climbing.  Steep drops, creek crossings, dinosaur egg sized rock gardens, this route has it all.  Wrapping up with a return trip down Dry Creek Rd along the Nolichucky River.  This route is very popular with eMTB's.  
 

Watershed Trails - Hampton, TN

The Watershed Trails are a fun network of easy, intermediate, and difficult singletrack tucked away in the middle of Hampton, TN. The trails traverse dramatic terrain through beautiful forest with both mountain and river views. The lower loops are great for beginner to intermediate riders, while experts can enjoy themselves on the challenging upper loop known as The Cat's Pajamas.

Pinnacle Mountain - Unicoi, TN

The Pinnacle Mountain Tower Trail takes you to the highest point in Washington County, TN. The trailhead is right off exit 32 on I-26 at Jack Snider Park where you'll find newly built restrooms/changing area. The trail was completed in 2011 with a backhoe and has narrowed nicely to a trail that is wider than singletrack, but not quite as wide as doubletrack in most places.

The trail averages about a 7% grade with a good amount of grade reversals as the climb takes you through mostly covered forest until you approach the summit. Once at the summit, you'll have the opportunity to climb the observation tower and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding Unaka Mountains as well as the towns of Erwin and Unicoi. On a clear day, you can see into both North Carolina and Virginia. 

TVA Trails - Bristol, TN

Wide easy trails with little rocks or roots. Both loops are short and easily accessible from the parking area.  Yelling Trail Loop to the left is a bit shorter and more pumpable. Dam Builders Trail Loop to the right has some shale piles so watch for punctures on sharp edges.  Trails are ridden in both directions so watch for oncoming riders. This are multi-use trails so also expect pedestrians. Do not ride when wet, these trails are red clay and are easily damaged when ridden wet.

Warriors Path - Colonial Heights, TN

Variety is the spice at Warriors Path where multiple stacked trails offer something different around every turn. Designed and built by mountain bikers, the thoughtful layout gives way to numerous alternate lines and plenty of challenge.

Bay's Mountain - Kingsport, TN

This loop ties together several trails that were hand-built for bicycles. Compared to many other rides in the Tri-Cities, TN area, this is about as easy as it gets, with smooth trails and easy climbing. 

Some sections of this ride do have some stout climbs though including the top of Azalea Trail and some pitches along River Mountain Rd. Those segments are worth doing, however, because they take you to the highlight of this ride and the highest elevation at the Garden Mountain Lookout Tower. This old firetower sits on the Holston River Mountain side of the Park at 2405 ft., and provides an amazing 360 degree panoramic view of Kingsport and the surrounding mountains.

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