Are you a mountain biker who loves to test the absolute limits of your skills?
We’ve got some insider info on where you can find some of the most devilishly fierce biking trails known to man. If you’re a daredevil who loves sudden switchbacks and hair-raising descents, then we’re extending a special invitation to battle for victory over the rugged, technical terrain not far from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
One of the best things about biking in the Smokies: If this exhilarating test of skill, endurance, and grit doesn’t leave you breathless, the views for sure will. The greatest reward is gazing out across the tree-covered landscape, knowing you’ve just given your all on some of the world’s wildest trails.
If you’re interested in learning more about advanced mountain bike trails in the Smoky Mountains and other local biking opportunities near Gatlinburg, TN, read on!
The Best Advanced Trails Are Right Smack in the Middle of the Smokies
It’s true that there aren’t any mountain biking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park itself. But the park isn’t the entire mountain range. Turn your attention to places like WildSide Adventure Park, Tsali Recreation Area, and Baker’s Creek, you’ll find plenty of advanced trails, including more than one adrenaline-pumping black diamond run.
To name just a few:
- Dolly’s Curves. This tricky trail is as iconic as the country legend herself. Short yet fierce, it’s got a max grade of 21% (12 degrees) and an average of 12% (7 degrees) overall.
- Thrillium. One of the more reactive elements of the Periodic Table of Mountain Biking, this rough-riding, 0.8-mile WildSide trail has a max grade of 14% (8 degrees) and plenty of switchback turns.
- Tsali Mouse Branch and Thompson Loops. Want a long-lasting thrill with intermediate difficulty? Check out this 14.9-mile stretch.
- Very Gneiss. This popular singleback trail starts out flowing nicely downhill but then gets into some tricky jumps and (likely coarse-grained metamorphic) rocky areas.
- Whip-or-Will. You’ll be whipping back and forth many a time on this half-mile thriller with a max grade of 25% (14 degrees).
Keep in mind that some of these trails might be closed on a given day, so be sure to check our trail status page to know for sure whether your favorite one’s open. Also, you can get a more comprehensive list of our trails (including some easy ones) and maps of the trails here.
The Local Biking Scene in Gatlinburg and the Smokies
Not everyone’s looking for advanced riding; some people just like to go explore and enjoy the scenery. If you’re with friends who don’t care much for the technical challenges of mountain biking, it’s good to know a little about all-levels biking in the Smokies.
The small town of Townsend, home to just a few hundred year-round residents, offers one of the easiest ways to access the scenic Cades Cove Loop. On Wednesdays, the loop is closed to cars, making it an ideal day for biking. Beyond Cades Cove, Townsend is actively promoting its greenways and bike-friendly routes, including trails like Ellejoy Jaunt, Little River Run, and the Townsend Bicycle Trail.
Nearby towns Sevierville and Greenbrier are beloved for their beautiful, bike-friendly greenways and riverside trails. If you’re looking for a lengthy, peaceful ride, the 78-mile Greenbrier River Trail—which used to be a railroad—will take you through numerous remote areas.
WildSide Adventure Park: A Hidden Gem for Advanced Riders
It makes sense that the real exclusive, high-octane trails would be inside an adventure park, and it’s true. Covering 900 acres between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, WildSide’s got what you won’t find anywhere else:
- 21 high-speed trails. Plus, we’re building more every year, so there will be more to explore on your next visit.
- A 600ft gain in elevation. You know those heart-pumping descents will be in store.
- 5 adult trail bike sizes. Our bike rentals include manual options for those who want to up the challenge.
- An insane jump park. From Baby Bear to Papa Bear, see where the jumps are just right and then—blow past your comfort zone. Papa Bear starts off with a 7-foot wooden drop!
WildSide caters to both advanced mountain bikers and E-bike enthusiasts. Our pedal-assist E-bikes have a variable resistance adjustment, so you can choose the difficulty level you want.
Additional Resources and Related Outdoor Adventures
For your friends who are mountain biking-curious but not nearly at the skill level you’re at, we’ve got plenty of beginner-friendly trails, too. These include Creek Climb, Holler Holler, and Halfway Up. And starting this summer, WildSide will also be offering bike classes for beginners to help new riders build confidence and skills right from the start.
We ALWAYS prioritize safety at WildSide, so we’ll make sure that your beginner friends (and you, too) are fully equipped with safety gear.
And don’t forget: WildSide also has UTV tours and America’s LONGEST zipline! You can have fun with the whole family and take a zipline tour after you give your kids a brief intro to mountain biking.
Become a Smoky Mountain Trailblazer at Wildside
Your adventure awaits—and so does your sense of victory over the Smoky Mountains terrain. Blaze through these extreme mountain biking trails, and you’ll feel like you can conquer anything that comes your way.
So, time to start planning! Book your WildSide experience today.
