When it comes to the mountain bike scene, Chattanooga is no longer the little train that could. It’s picked up speed and has evolved into an impressive, sleek locomotive rolling down the trail. Choo, Choo Chattanooga, Pedal Pals! It’s more than time to add Visit Chatt to your bike destination list. Ride SORBA Chattanooga (Southeastern Off-Road Biking Association) and look them up for a guide on the area’s 170+ dirt trail miles. Roadies, gravel grinders, got you covered too. The Tennessee River Valley and the Smokies’ rolling ridges and forests provide a sweet backdrop no matter the riding style.
When WITS (Women in Travel Summit) announced their conference location in Chatt, May 2026, I immediately pushed go on registering, plus plotting out extra ride days for Josh and me. It’s been five years since our last visit, so I was anxious to see how far my riding skills had come along since then.
Much happens in five years, as we learned. Chattanooga became North America’s first National Park City in April of 2025, solidifying its transformation from a polluted, industrial hub with air quality issues in the 60s and 70s. The community, the city, and key leadership came together with a solid plan paired with conservation work. Ask SORBA or Outdoor Chattanooga how far they’ve come, and you’ll hear stories of a revitalized waterfront, a burgeoning art and culinary scene, plus it’s gained a stellar reputation for outdoor recreation that includes biking, hiking, climbing/bouldering, and kayaking/paddling sports, of course. The Scenic City is the nickname; I can attest that it’s spot-on!
Talking Water Nature Retreat
The key to an adventure trip is a place to rest and refuel in between adrenaline-fueled activities, like mountain biking. Talking Water Nature Retreat was just that, perched on a scenic ridgeline atop Suck Creek Mountain, about 15 minutes northwest of Chattanooga. To say the property and cabin rentals are unique is an understatement. Wowed by the charm and details, we made ourselves at home in The Whippoorwill Cabin. All 6 cabins are custom-built with sustainability in mind, featuring Bobbie’s deft artist’s touch and distinct features like hand-built patios, outdoor shower stalls, and on-site hiking trails.
Each cabin has access to a kiddo playground, a pavilion with an outdoor gathering and grilling area, plus you can enjoy fresh eggs from the onsite chicken coop. I’d also give the kitchen, bath, and bedding an A+ rating; From the goat milk lotion in the bathroom to a personal mini-fan next to the king-sized bed in the loft. Oh, and the stocked kitchen and coffee supplies are a bonus. I looked forward to each morning with a mug in hand, a moment of caffeinated bliss, staring out at the river valley.
It’s a family affair at Talking Water; the dedication is palpable when you meet the owners, Bobbie and James Such, and their four young children. Everyone chips in with chores, like feeding the chickens, clearing the hiking trails, cleaning cabins, and more. Be sure to say hi to their four goats (Lead Belly, Icarus, Honeybee, and Winona); they have a job too. As CGOs, Chief Grazing Officers, they will soon graze to their heart’s content, simultaneously ridding the property of invasive species growth. The four cats have a job too, keeping the mice at bay. It certainly does take a village to maintain the cabins and the 80+ acres of property. If you’re looking for a group stay, planning an event or a unique wedding, this is the place. And adventure seekers, bikers, hikers, or climbers will appreciate the outdoorsy vibe. Pro tip: Take the time to really listen during your stay; the water will talk to you, too.
Raccoon Mountain
As we drove south from the Mitten, Tennessee greeted us with a hot, humid, and rainy pattern for the duration of our visit. Thankfully, we found openings to ride in between the rain deluges. With all the extra rain, we were treated to bonus waterfalls on the trails instead of small creeks. SORBA Chattanooga has plenty of trails; thankfully, some are well-suited for wet conditions. Enter Raccoon Mountain, one of the oldies but goodies in the SORBA quiver. The Raccoon is a hydroelectric pump-storage plant with a giant reservoir that converts water release into energy. This massive chunk of earth encompasses 3,000 acres and is home to 30 miles of intermediate-to-advanced trails.
In 2009, a group of dedicated volunteers began building trails that have grown to almost 30 miles of rolling, techy single-track. Josh and I plotted out a greatest hits loop on our first ride. We started at East Rim, admired the sprawling views of the Tennessee River Valley, then rolled into the dense, deep-green mountains. I might have suggested a different route had I known we’d tackle 2600 feet of climbing/descending!
The trees and I dripped condensation as we rolled into a fun ripper down Live Wire 1, then to Live Wire 2’s popcorn rock sections. After navigating plenty of bridges and tight tech sections, it was time to be humbled by High Voltage and a bevy of switchback climbs. Views of the Tennessee River winked at me as I rounded uphill bends. I biked, hiked, and we sweated our way to the top. We serendipitously met a local, who confirmed the best route to complete our loop…. Thanks, Josh 2! We finished Raccoon, navigating Laurel Point, then Split Rock, to a finish on Electric Avenue. I plunked down on the park bench, pounded electrolytes, and stared for quite a while at the bend in the river. My Garmin said 15 miles, but my legs felt like 30. Tired but smiling, what a difference five years makes! I was better equipped to handle the rocky, technical sections and some of the punchy climbs.
SORBA Chattanooga Trails
Over a taco dinner back at Talking Water, we plotted our next rides based on the latest conditions report. Plus, we had the opportunity to meet with Sunshine Loveless, SORBA Chatt’s first-ever paid staffer and Executive Director, for some insight on trails, what’s new, and where to ride. Sunshine confirmed that the area has indeed grown into a sleeker locomotive, with the engine being a growing group of dedicated volunteers.
I have a soft spot for trail organizations, as a volunteer for my hometown group, MEMBA (Michigan’s Edge Mountain Biking Assoc). Trails don’t build or maintain themselves, so Sunshine and the SORBA crew have dug in and tackled maintenance and sustainability issues, advocated for trail access, hosted and planned group rides, events, and trail workdays. Plus, if you need a shining example of progressive downhill riding, Walden’s Ridge is a new gem with a unique trail design, rock-armored builds, and select trails equipped with state-of-the-art Trail Armor to prevent erosion. So, why ride SORBA Chattanooga: it began with just 7 miles in 2001; now it manages 10+ trail systems throughout the greater Chatt area, at 170 miles and growing.
Walden’s Ridge Park
Wednesday was wet with off/on rain, so we leaned into a rain-delay retail therapy mission. We did manage to sneak in a short 1.5-mile morning hike at Talking Water, following the Billy Goat Trail and connectors to the creek and the mesmerizing Blue Hole along Suck Creek. After a quick freshen, we headed into the city for stops at Suck Creek Cycle and Hand Up Gloves, both locally owned with plenty of merch and gear for cyclists.
By afternoon, the sun returned in force, sending wisps of humidity into the air. Walden’s Ridge is a must-ride; unfortunately, during our visit, the rain had closed most of the downhill lines, leaving us just the perimeter trails to explore. We took what Mother Nature gave us and settled for a churn up the Escalator climbing trail. We stopped and gazed at the downhill lines, admiring the rock rolls and entry points to jumps and drops. We cut over to W and discovered footpaths to a rushing waterfall and several bouldering areas in the park. Returning on Lower Lift Ticket, we stopped for a peek at Bread & Butter and Biscuits & Gravy (blue downhill lines), vowing to return to tackle them on the next visit.
Photos courtesy of Leslie Kehmeier, and SORBA Chattanooga.
Stringer’s Ridge Preserve
We snuck in one more ride, this time at Stringer’s Ridge Preserve. It’s a 90+ acre urban wilderness park, with trailheads in the city limits of North Chattanooga or a quick roll from Suck Creek Cycles. I’d call it short but sweet with a bonus connector to an outstanding ridge overlook of downtown and the river. Check out SORBA’s complete trail line-up to find the best fit for your riding style and skills.
The Crash Pad Hostel
The unique lodging trend continued as the weekend and WITS conference approached. Since I needed to be downtown for conference sessions, Josh and I had to say goodbye to Talking Water and check in to a south town room at The Crash Pad Hostel for our last two nights. You can reserve a bunk or a private room at Crash Pad and take advantage of their indoor and outdoor common areas. We fit right in with plenty of other outdoorsy types. Hikers, bikers, and climbers all frequent the Crash Pad for its clean, cozy, and low-cost price tag. The location is sweet too, right next to the Choo Choo Historic District, Wanderlinger Brewing, and Niedlov’s Bakery & Café.
Hop On the SORBA and Chattanooga Train
I always say there’s a hiker in every biker. The WITS conference included a FAM hiking tour hosted by SORBA at Raccoon Mountain. 10 other creators joined our guides to learn about local trail stewardship. We met at the Raccoon Mountain switchyard, soaked up a quick lesson on trail maintenance tools and methods, before following Marcy and Sunshine into the woods on the Small Intestine Trail. One of the easier trails in the system, it switches and loops around for four miles. Our cheery group marveled at the forest scenery and unique mushrooms, and everyone let out Ooo’s and ahhs as Small Intestine opened to a rock outcropping with an amazing overlook of the Tennessee River.
Ask any of the creators I met that day, and they will confirm that Chattanooga is a special place! Biker, hiker, paddler, climber, or easy ramblers, you are welcome on this train.
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