Tennessee Gravel Divisions: Exploring America's Overlooked Cycling Paradise
There's something special about discovery. Finding a new place to explore, surrounded by nature I’m experiencing for the first time. Waterfalls, forests, mountains, vistas, gravel. When it all comes together with a group of friends, new or old, there's nothing quite like it. This is what draws me to cycling, and I want to keep chasing those moments of discovery wherever the roads lead.
When Bike Tennessee reached out and asked us to help shine a light on cycling in Tennessee, I was immediately intrigued. Tennessee had always existed on the edges of my gravel radar, a state I knew more by reputation for music and mountains than for miles of rideable backroads. So I dove in, spent weeks digging into the local scene, and what I found was more than I ever expected.
Today, we're setting off to discover Tennessee gravel, with insights from local framebuilders, business owners, bike shops, event promoters, pro athletes, and route creators who know these roads best. My aim is to share what I've learned about the landscape, culture, events, and route possibilities that define Tennessee's emerging gravel scene. This work comes from a partnership with Bike TN to help shed light on an underrated state that's quietly becoming a premier gravel destination, one that offers authentic riding experiences unlike anywhere else.
From Nashville's hollers to the Great Smoky peaks: Tennessee's three Grand Divisions each tell their own gravel story. PC: Tennessee Gravel
Three Grand Divisions, Three Gravel Personalities
Tennessee's unique geography naturally divides into three distinct regions known as the Grand Divisions, each offering its own gravel cycling personality and cultural flavor. East Tennessee rises from rolling foothills into the Great Smoky Mountains, where Appalachian heritage runs as deep as the mountains that rise to over 6,000 feet. For riders in Chattanooga and Knoxville, these mountain gravel routes are just an hour to the east, meaning a significant population has easy access to some of the state's best riding. Here, gravel routes climb through the Cherokee National Forest on long ascents that reward riders with fast downhills, rowdy gravel, and sweeping mountain vistas.
Middle Tennessee rolls through Nashville's surrounding hills and hollers, with Hickman County standing out as the most established gravel destination in the region, offering a robust variety of surfaces from premium gravel to rutted-out jeep trails, complete with fast descents, creek crossings, and punchy climbs over loose, chunky gravel. West Tennessee flattens toward the Mississippi Delta, where the terrain between the northward-flowing Tennessee River and the southward-flowing Mississippi creates a vortex of fast gravel across fertile land. This flatter terrain favors speed over climbing, with long, straight gravel sections perfect for group rides and endurance challenges, while the warmer, more humid climate extends the riding season well into winter.
To get an inside look into Tennessee's growing gravel scene, I caught up with frame builder Zach Small of Amigo Frameworks. Though he grew up in San Diego and got his start in the industry at Mission Hills Bikes at the age of 14, Zach has called Nashville home for the past 7 years. What began as a hobby building bicycle frames in 2012 evolved into Amigo Frameworks in 2020, where he now creates hand-built bikes that reflect his California roots. From his Nashville workshop, Zach has gained a unique perspective on what makes Tennessee's gravel scene special, and why this overlooked state is quietly becoming one of America's most exciting places to ride.
Zach Small of Amigo Frameworks with a custom hardtail mountain bike he built for the 2023 MADE bike show in Portland, OR. PC: Miles Arbour
Hand-Built in Nashville
At the 2021 Philly Bike Expo, Zach unveiled the Bug Out, a bike that proved to be years ahead of its time. The design was born from his experiences riding gravel in Hickman County, making it the only all-terrain bike specifically designed for events like Gosh Darn. Built for "burnouts, weirdos, and freaks who see humanity in 70's smiley faces," this steel-framed adventure bike abandoned conventional road geometry in favor of a longer front center, slacker head tube, lower bottom bracket, and the ability to run proper 125mm+ dropper posts. These decisions he made created an extremely stable platform for loose off-road terrain, single track, and city ripping long before these features became mainstream. The bike's custom-machined yoke design accommodates 700x50 tires, while adjustable dropouts let you dial in the chainstay length from 415-435mm depending on whether you're gearing up for a swift gravel race or loading up for a self-supported bikepacking escape. And while the Bug Out may tell you a lot about the terrain you may encounter in Tennessee, let's dig deeper into the scene.
The Amigo Frameworks Bug Out at Gosh Darn 8 easily clearing beefy Maxxis Ikon MTB tires. PC: Shane Hunter
Coming via California and Chicago, Zach quickly came to appreciate the local cycling community in Nashville. "The scene here is unique because we are small, often overlooked and cycling is nearly counterculture here. It creates an atmosphere of tight knit folks that are always trying to bring in new folks and grow the scene. Everyone I have encountered that is a Southerner and rides is genuinely friendly and hospitable. We don't get snobs or cliques, we're all just in it together." This grassroots spirit extends to the riding itself, where routes and trails were often born from locals simply wanting something to ride, a DIY ethos that's shaped the scene's character as much as the terrain itself. And that terrain delivers plenty to work with: "The other great part is Tennessee is very diverse in terrain, so rides to the east in Knoxville and south in Chattanooga have mountains with good elevation and incredibly challenging routes. West towards Memphis it gets much flatter as you get closer to the Mississippi. And Nashville in the middle has a great mix of hills, hollers and flat sections. All those places are less than 3 hours away too, so if you want to try something different you aren't far away."
Hickman County delivers the full Middle Tennessee gravel experience. PC: Shane Hunter
Three Grand Routes
With Tennessee's three Divisions each offering a distinct gravel experience, we've partnered with local event organizers and route creators to bring you three curated routes, one from each division, ranging from 32 to 65 miles. These rides showcase the diverse mixed-surface terrain that embodies Tennessee's gravel scene, complete with insider knowledge on parking, resupply stops, water sources, and a few hidden gems.
Our West Tennessee Gravel Route comes courtesy of Shannon Burke of Tennessee Gravel, whose 32-mile loop through Natchez Trace State Park proves that the flatter Division still packs plenty of punch. With 1,800 feet of climbing across 70% gravel surfaces, this hilly ride winds through the scenic 9,266-acre state park, delivering fun just minutes off the interstate. The park's excellent visitor center facilities make this a highly accessible starting point for exploring West Tennessee's gravel potential. This is one of many gravel routes Shannon contributed to the Bike Tennessee website, with the full collection published earlier this month.
West Tennessee's rolling farmland offers fast gravel sections perfect for group rides and endurance challenges. PC: Shane Hunter
Our Middle Tennessee Gravel Route comes from Andy Norris, event coordinator at MOAB Bike Shop in Franklin, who guides us through Hickman County, located an hour southwest of Nashville, and some of the state's most celebrated gravel roads. This 82% gravel course offers everything that makes Mid TN special: steep climbs, fast flats, deep woods, and wide-open farmland, while mimicking one of Gravel Revival’s original routes. With more chert roads than any other county in the region, it’s a gravel paradise of rolling hills and crystal-clear creeks with virtually no traffic. Hickman County's gravel scene continues its slow burn, with more groups discovering these hidden roads regularly. Andy's route captures why this county has become Tennessee's gravel heartland.
Hickman County's notorious chert roads and stream crossings deliver over 400 miles of dirt roads through Tennessee's gravel heartland. PC: Shane Hunter
For our East Tennessee Gravel Route, the Buck Bald Gravel Challenge delivers 46 miles and over 5,000 feet of climbing deep into the Cherokee National Forest, a true bucket-list ride for strong, adventurous riders. Expect relentlessly varied terrain, from smooth river roads to chunky, rugged gravel, with sustained climbs, fast descents, and long stretches of beautiful remoteness. Mountain rivers, cascading waterfalls, and dense hardwood canopies accompany you on the way up, and a sweeping 360-degree panorama from the summit of Buck Bald makes every hard-earned foot of elevation worthwhile. The route begins and ends at the day-use boat ramp in Reliance, managed by Hiwassee Scenic River State Park, with ample parking, pit toilets, and direct river access perfect for a post-ride dip in warmer months. Food options are well-covered between Hiwassee Outfitters near the trailhead, Webb Brothers for snacks, and Hiwassee Fly & Tackle further along the route. Fair warning: cell service is limited throughout much of the ride, so come self-sufficient and ride conservatively on the fast, technical descents. This is East Tennessee gravel at its most rewarding, demanding, beautiful, and absolutely worth the effort.
A rider climbs through the Great Smoky Mountains, where gravel events like the Waucheesi and HARDford showcase the rugged terrain of Cherokee National Forest in East Tennessee. PC: Tennessee Gravel
Chert to Chonk
If you're planning to visit Tennessee to experience the state's gravel scene for yourself, local experts offer some essential advice. Shannon Burke emphasizes the importance of preparation: "Cell service is limited or nonexistent on most of these routes. Please come prepared with an emergency plan that does not depend on a cell phone!" Regarding gear, Scott Smith from Tennessee Valley Bicycles told me: "Get some big tires and a wide gear range. The roads can be nice or they can be gnarly. It rains a lot here, so conditions change regularly." Both experts stress the remote nature of these adventures and the importance of self-sufficiency. Scott wisely notes, "A sandwich is also a good idea because no one wants to skip lunch." Finally, remember that even seemingly remote forest service roads occasionally see vehicle traffic, so stay in your lane and never cut blind corners.
East Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest delivers the technical climbs and rowdy gravel that define Appalachian riding. PC: Tennessee Gravel
The perspectives of my new Tennessee friends made it clear that their gravel scene is unlike anywhere else, and their enthusiasm is the kind that makes you want to go see it for yourself. From the rugged climbs of Cherokee National Forest to the storied chert roads of Hickman County to the flowing scenic loops of West Tennessee, the state's diverse terrain might just be its greatest strength.
Words by Dave Malwitz
Photos by Shane Hunter, Tennessee Gravel, and Miles Arbour
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