Dirt to Downtown: Knoxville MTB

In the realm of mountain bike destinations, one would be hard-pressed to find a place as inviting as Knoxville, TN. Nestled in the Tennessee River valley, in the shadows of the Great Smokey Mountains, Knoxville houses one of the more vibrant riding scenes. With over fifty miles of singletrack a few minutes pedal from downtown, it's easy to understand why there's a buzz amongst east coast riders. Sure, some destinations offer more miles of trail and epic terrain, but few offer a variety of trails and convenient access to urban amenities like Knoxville does.



At the heart of what makes Knoxville unique is the immediate access to world-class trails. There is no better example of this than at Baker Creek Preserve. Serving as a hub for all things mountain biking in Knoxville, Baker Creek is the gateway to a vast network of singletrack fun. Trailhead parking serves as a perfect meet-up location or tailgate base camp. There are paved pump tracks and jump lines so the obsessed rider can get laps in even during adverse weather conditions. Broadening all-weather riding options doesn't just stop in the skills area of Baker Creek. Just a short pedal away is a more recent project known as the "Year Round Get Down." The soil in the south can be notoriously sticky and mucky after a good rain, so trail builders have been infusing the earth with a limestone base on select trails, allowing for faster drainage and drying. Paired with armored rock berms and manufactured features, "Year Round Get Down" can salvage an otherwise washed-out day of riding.



When the sun is shining, the trails are generally bustling with riders. With progressive jump lines and flowing tracks extending into several adjacent parks, it's easy for riders of all skill levels to enjoy the ride and push their abilities. For the more advantageous riders, the "Devil's Racetrack" offers ripping down hills and lofty jumps with a purpose-built return trail to keep the laps going. On certain Sundays, Knoxville Outdoor Tours provides shuttles for "Devil's Racetrack" for those with an aversion to climbing. Beyond Baker Creek, the opportunity awaits to link together some truly epic loops via the Urban Wilderness area. Everything from raw and rocky to ripping XC trails awaits riders in the Urban Wilderness.


After a long day on the trail, there is a host of restaurants and breweries to satiate the most ravenous of hunger. You can almost coast from Baker Creek to Sevier Ave, where many foods and beverage purveyors await. From pizza to tacos and Trailhead Beer Market offering frosty beverages, it's no mystery why Sevier Ave. is jumping with mountain bikers. There are plenty of hotels and AirBnB options close to the trailhead and a newly opened campground right in the heart of the Knoxville trails system. With a much milder climate than the Northeast, Knoxville is an ideal destination for riders desperate for winter laps. With proximity to Windrock Bike Park and just a short drive from the acclaimed Pisgah National Forest, it is no wonder some of America's top pro downhillers are moving to the area.


The infectious camaraderie of the local riders and mile after mile of ripping trail will keep you actively wondering why you don't visit Knoxville more often.



Video: Knoxville Outdoor Tours | @knoxoutdoortours | www.knoxoutdoortours.com
Filming: Travis Davis | @bythesetwohands
Words: Brett Rothmeyer | @brettrothmeyer
South Knoxville MTB Watering Hole | Trailhead Beer Market | @trailheadbeer