Explore the best rated trails in Cowan, TN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Mountain Goat Trail and Savage Day Loop . With more than 21 trails covering 99 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.
Park by the outdoor barn or the farm center on the map. There’s a dog park nearby. The quarry has beautiful views and is worth the hike.
Our second ride was captivating with beautiful weather (first e-bike ride was Shiloh Military Park). We parked at Cannonsburgh Village and rode to the north trailhead (Thompson Lane Park) then back to the south trailhead (Barfield Crescent Park). Paved 10’ wide asphalt 95% excellent with some minor damage from underlying roots causing bumps and a few dips. More noticeable on trikes. We expected a crowded path for the weekend but pleasantly surprised with a few other bikers, joggers and dog walkers. The path crosses the river several times and progresses underneath most cross traffic highways. Restrooms available at the multiple parks and shorter trailheads. Overall we travelled just over 26 miles and though we’re feeling it today,, the overall beauty made the ride worth it. Only con were the occasional homeless encampments at the beginning of our ride.
The trail from Sewanee to Tracy City is all asphalt now which is about 12.5 miles. The only caveat is you must ride in the bike lane on the highway that goes over I-24. If you’re coming from Sewanee look for College Street that runs parallel to the highway after you cross the bridge. It basically dead ends into the trail. Beautiful trail, about 70% shaded, inclines are very modest.
Dropped in at Barfield Road trailhead and headed up, 15.3 miles out and back on a beautiful summer day. Cicadas were loud and the birds were singing! Our first time on the trail after reading all the reviews and we loved it! Every city in America should be made to put in one of these to this caliber. Murfreesboro should be proud! Lots of people enjoying this day.
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.
They have built a very nice bike path that connects the middle and the southern sections along Bailey Cove Road. There are also lights at the crosswalks. Thanks!!
Rode from the bottom TH all the way up and back again. Gravel bike did great. Enjoyed the scenery and history. But the trail simply dead ends on a busy road. I took the road up higher on Lookout Mountain, but was not worth the extra ride.
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 construction south of I-24 is done. You can now get all the way south to Barfield Park.
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.
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