Explore the best rated trails in Athens, TN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Volkswagen Drive Sidepath and Maryville-Alcoa Greenway . With more than 19 trails covering 127 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Easy peasant ride. All paved on both sides of the road. Nice spots to stop, shop, eat and drink. Close to Cades Cove and entrance to Smoky Mountains. Worth the visit.
We rode the entire pathway, starting at the northern dam site. This is one of the most enjoyable, varied, and well maintained routes we've ridden! The entire route is well done, with light poles the entire way, elevated sections or bridges thru all types of natural areas (instead of around), and many parks or trailside restrooms. Whether thru parks, alongside the highway, or even past industrial businesses, the trail is landscaped O meadow-scaped), the path is smooth, and
Today 4-17-2025 my husband and I rode the trail from the Wheland Factory parking lot to the Dam. The first part of the trail goes past some industrial areas. As we got further up it goes past townhomes and downtown. Our only complaint was the lack of trail signage to keep you on tract and mileage markers. There were some metal cutouts with numbers indicating the miles and some very small markers in the concrete itself with markings but unless you stopped to read them, there was no way you could have read them as you pedaled by. The trail itself is in good shape and we saw several crews keeping the grounds surrounding the trail trimmed.
The multiple boardwalks and intermittent views of the creek are what make this trail a 5*. As noted by another reviewer: A large section of trail is CLOSED until July 2027. If you are coming from Camp Jordan and heading north, you cannot cross I-75. But the 11 miles of trail north of I-75 to downtown Chattanooga are open. I parked at Sterchi Farm TH and did some out-and-backs. The best scenery (ie, the boardwalks) are north and south of Sterchi Farm TH.
The SO Chick trail follows the Chickamauga Creek but it is not a flat trail that follows the grade of a river or an old rail line.
We started our ride at the Tennessee River and the shared trail head with the Riverwalk trail. As the trail goes up stream is climbs high on the hillside banks. Half of the trail distance is wooden boardwalks, and a couple of the climbs are so steel that they created switchbacks.
Another clue this is not a rail to trail path is the many railways along the path that are active. The path runs along side an active line for a stretch and at one point 4 active lines can be viewed from the same spot. On the 10 mile round trip we saw 4 trains including the Tennessee Valley Railroad scenic train.
This is a very pretty trail with a lot of hill and turns. Boardwalks are in good condition, but being boardwalk they are not smooth and can be slippery.
Drove to the trailhead at Camp Jordan Recreation Area. The Recreation area has a paved 2-mile section of the trail and a bridge over the creek in the direction of the Chattanooga River Trail. The problem is that the bridge is closed and a significant part of the trail connection between the Recreation Area and the River Trail is closed until 2027 due to extensive sewer work. You can access the Greenway from the River Trail and ride to the levee but then you would need to turn around.
This is a great trail for working off your winter fluff - it is challenging in areas with hills which for those of us who spent the winter either shoveling snow or hibernating (me) came as a surprise! The trail itself is paved with asphalt or concrete slabs. The asphalt areas have tree roots humps and bumps accompanied with a couple heaves. The poured concrete slabs were in decent shape. The trail goes alongside Melton Lake - pretty early spring views from the bluff. Many people were out enjoying the warm temps and the crew teams were out on the water. I
I went on a Saturday in the beginning of September (mid morning) and it was barely crowded. Perfect for me for my long run. I did have to ask someone for directions just to make sure I was on the right track to Alcoa. I guess the only time I got confused was when it travels over 411 and there isn’t a lot of signage to tell where the trail goes next. Other than that it was perfect for me!!! I felt generally safe, as being a woman who was running by herself. There isn’t a TON of hills, but there are more just condensed in certain areas
Signage is minimal at best. Surface is nice and so are the bridges. Good amount of traffic with walkers, runners, dogs and bikers. I had my bike and found it difficult to find my way around due to lack of signage. It was my first time on this trail and I am sure the local users enjoy it, but for me it will be better next time (if there is one).
Really fun trail. Lots of bridges and boardwalks beside the river. Felt like being in a tree fort at times.
Fun ride new record of 41 miles on my e-bike. I’m sure I could have hit 50 no problem.
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