July 9, 2026 - Tennessee may be best known for its music, from Nashville’s country roots to Memphis’ rock ’n’ roll legacy, but the state is also becoming a must-ride destination for cyclists.

Bike Tennessee (Bike TN), a statewide cycling initiative from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, features 89 curated road and gravel routes across more than 1,800 miles and 50 counties.

Developed with professional cycling expertise, including Shannon Burke of Velo View Bike Tours and Tennessee Gravel, all routes are mapped on Ride with GPS, with navigation, elevation profiles, route insights and key waypoints. Here’s a look at some of the awesome routes that await you.

Reelfoot Lake Loop is a fast and fun 40-mile/65 km scenic cycling route around Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee’s only natural lake. The route features flat, rural roads and the area serves as a bird sanctuary with the largest wintering bald eagle population in the eastern U.S.

The Mississippi River Ramble is a 13-mile/20 km scenic urban road cycling route that offers the exhilarating experience of cycling across the mighty Mississippi River from Memphis, Tenn., to West Memphis, Ark., along Big River Crossing a cycling/pedestrian walkway attached to the historic Harahan Bridge. Don’t miss a perfect photo op at the giant 50-foot “MEMPHIS” sign.

A short but dynamic 17-mile/27 km gravel route, Scott’s Gulf Wilderness Gravel Escape delivers big scenery and a legitimate challenge in a compact package. Enjoy breathtaking vistas and one of the most spectacular cliff-edge views of the Cumberland Plateau at Welch’s Point, one of the most stunning overlooks in the region.

Discover the allure of Fall Creek Falls State Park on this scenic 32-mile/51 km cycling adventure, home to Tennessee’s tallest waterfall and the state’s most-visited park. The route takes riders along rolling roadways within the park, as well as picturesque country roads beyond its borders. Take the opportunity to enjoy a 29-mile/47 km gravel adventure that combines two scenic gravel out-and-back sections – Meadow Creek/Old CC Road and Fire Tower Road.

The Sequatchie Valley offers some of the best riding in East Tennessee, which is why you’ll find not just one but three routes. The 35-mile/56 km Upper Sequatchie Valley Loop takes you from Pikeville across the Sequatchie River where you can enjoy gorgeous views of Walden’s Ridge and the South Cumberland Plateau. For a multi-day riding expedition, pair this route with the Middle and/or Lower Sequatchie Loops.

Duck River Gravel Ramble is a 22-mile/35 km gravel route in New Johnsonville that winds through the Duck River Wildlife Refuge and along the Duck River, North America’s most biologically rich freshwater ecosystem that’s perfect for both cycling and bird-watching.

Enjoy the scenic 26-mile/42 km Laurel Hill Gravel Loop centered around the Natchez Trace Parkway that roughly follows the historic “Old Natchez Trace.” The route blends rugged terrain with gorgeous scenery and packs a surprising amount of adventure into a relatively short distance with creek crossings, punchy climbs and a perfect photo stop at Laurel Hill Lake.

The 36-mile/57 km Land Between the Lakes Loop gets its name from Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, which form the west and east boundaries of the park. The route features a planetarium, the Great Western Iron Furnace, and the main north-south roadway through the park (TN-49) is designated as the Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway and a joy to experience by bike.

Following a day in the saddle there are plenty of ways to refuel from award-winning, Michelin-recognized restaurants to cocktail bars, breweries, distilleries, cafés and bakeries that’ll have you begging for seconds.

Tennessee also offers a wide array of accommodation options from cozy cabins and chalets to boutique hotels, B&Bs, campsites and RV parks, inns and relaxing resorts, all available to explore on the Bike TN website.

There are plenty of cycling events to experience as well making every Bike TN route an invitation to explore more of the state on two wheels, and come back with a story to tell.

Read more about Bike Tennessee here.
Order a copy of Best Cycling Great Escapes with a feature on Fernie, B.C. and many other great spots here.