The Perfect Playground
The Sequatchie Valley is an incredibly well-defined area with two massive ridges flanking fertile farmland and a meandering river running down the middle. It is also an incredibly well-preserved region, in terms of both natural landscape and historic character. With stunning mountain backdrop scenery, miles of low-traffic farm roads, and an abundance of historic landmarks, the Valley is the perfect playground for cycling adventures!
Points of Interest
Each of the Scenic Bikeway routes below have been carefully mapped to maximize your time on the bike, giving you the best scenery, the most enjoyable roads, and the most interesting landmarks. To that end, each map highlights "points of interest" along the way - restaurants, rest stops, historic landmarks, etc.
Route Modifications
We've also noted how each route can be modified to make them shorter or longer. While the routes have recommended loops and turnaround points, the extensive network of backroads in the Sequatchie Valley makes it easy to customize each route to whatever works best for you.
Have fun, be safe, and tag your social media posts with #CycleSequatchie!
Nickajack Lake Out & Back
53 miles / 2900 feet of climbing
Explore the history and beauty of Nickajack Lake and the Tennessee River on this scenic riverside ride!
START/FINISH: Haletown, TN
Sweetens Cove Out & Back
22 miles / 800 feet of climbing
Enjoy stellar scenery just around the corner from South Pittsburg in this quiet cove surrounded by mountains and full of beautiful farmland and rich history.
START/FINISH: South Pittsburg, TN
Russell Cave Out & Back
27 miles / 800 feet of climbing
Travel back in time 10,000 years on this short ride out of South Pittsburg, featuring beautiful farm country and a national monument!
START/FINISH: South Pittsburg, TN
Sequatchie Mountain Challenge
30 miles / 1900 feet of climbing
Warm up the legs with a beautiful loop through the lower Sequatchie Valley before taking on a two-mile climb up Sequatchie Mountain followed by an exhilarating descent into Jasper!
START/FINISH: Jasper, TN
Lower Sequatchie Valley Loop
48 miles / 1600 feet of climbing
A scenic survey of the lower valley with fun, historic and tasty stops along the way!
START/FINISH: Jasper, TN or Powells Crossroads, TN
Middle Sequatchie Valley Loop
29 miles / 1400 feet of climbing
The perfect mix of interesting stops and gorgeous Sequatchie Valley scenery!
START/FINISH: Dunlap, TN
Upper Sequatchie Valley Loop 1
42 miles / 1700 feet of climbing
Take in the beautiful scenery of the upper Sequatchie Valley on this 42-mile ride between Dunlap and Pikeville!
START/FINISH: Dunlap, TN
Daus Mountain Challenge
49 miles / 3800 feet of climbing
Climb out of the Valley and up to the Cumberland Plateau on this challenging loop from Dunlap!
START/FINISH: Dunlap, TN
Upper Sequatchie Valley Loop 2
35 miles / 1800 feet of climbing
Ride to where the valley starts on the north end of Sequatchie Valley, taking in fascinating history and gorgeous scenery along the way!
START/FINISH: Pikeville, TN
Fall Creek Falls Challenge
56 miles / 4000 feet of climbing
Tackle a tough two-mile climb riding up the Cumberland Plateau on this ride from Pikeville to beautiful Fall Creek Falls State Park!
START/FINISH: Pikeville, TN
Fall Creek Falls Loop
41 miles / 2500 feet of climbing
A scenic tour of the rolling farm roads on the Cumberland Plateau that begins & ends at Fall Creek Falls State Park.
START/FINISH: Fall Creek Falls State Park (TN)
Mountain Goat Trail
While technically not in Sequatchie Valley, we would be remiss not to mention the Mountain Goat Trail as a great place to ride. This car-free paved rec path is currently 8 miles, but will eventually span 37 miles, connecting a number of towns on the Cumberland Plateau overlooking Sequatchie Valley, including Sewanee, Monteagle and Tracy City.
MORE INFO: Mountain Goat Trail Alliance
Rules of the Road
- Always wear a helmet.
- Avoid using earbuds while riding, as awareness of your surroundings at all times is crucial to your safety as well as the safety of those around you.
- Keep an eye out for vehicles while riding and be considerate to vehicles trying to pass.
- Obey all traffic laws, which means stopping at all stop signs and traffic lights.
- Ride no more than two abreast.
- Ride on the shoulder or in a bike lane whenever possible.
- If you need to stop while riding, please get completely off the road.
- When crossing train tracks, try to have your wheels perpendicular to the tracks and don't turn your handlebar when riding across. Hold your line until you're on the other side. Never ride parallel with the tracks when crossing, as bike tires are easily caught in the gaps next to the rails.
- Control your speed on fast descents by feathering your brakes, and always brake before entering sharp turns (as opposed to a sudden hard squeeze in the middle of a turn).
- Communicate with other cyclists when riding as a group. When turning, signal with your hand and tell everyone which direction you're turning. Announce when you're slowing down or coming to a stop. Call out hazards in the road.
- Be predictable. Ride in a straight line without zig-zagging, and ride at a consistent speed without sudden accelerations or decreases in speed.