This bike riding spot in Chattanooga doesn’t require a mountain bike, or even a personal bike at all.
Chattanooga bike riding doesn’t always have to be in the mountains. In fact, one of the best places to bike in Chattanooga is on the Tennessee Riverwalk. The added beauty of this Chattanooga bike riding location is that you don’t even have to bring your own bike if you don’t want to. You can just rent one! Keep reading to learn more about this Chattanooga bike riding trail and tips for your adventure.
Tennessee Riverpark or Tennessee Riverwalk?
If you’ve lived in Chattanooga for a while or have explored the downtown area, you have probably heard of the Tennessee Riverpark or the Tennessee Riverwalk. But which is which? I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been confused by this. So to clear things up, here is how to distinguish the name of this popular Chattanooga bike trail.
The Tennessee Riverpark includes over 150 acres beside the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga. The park is managed by both Hamilton County and the City of Chattanooga. This park includes playgrounds, pavilions, fields, fishing spots, scupltures, and the Tennessee Riverwalk.
The Tennesse Riverwalk is the trail itself that spans the length of the Tennessee Riverpark. This 13 mile trail starts at the Chickamauga Dam and ends in St. Elmo. Between these two points are views of the Tennessee River, downtown Chattanooga, and glimpses of the retired industrial area of Chattanooga.
The Tennesse Riverwalk Overview
Since the Tennesse Riverwalk is quite long, it’s easiest to understand when broken down into three main areas. The Amnicola Highway, Downtown Chattanooga, and Retired Industrial. These three areas have a different vibe along the trail and have their own uniqueness to offer.
Amnicola Highway
This area is a great for introductory Chattanooga bike riding. Hills are limited or can be avoided completely, depending on where you start and finish. It’s out of the hustle and bustle of the city and more relaxed admidst the modern-day industrial parks.
Downtown Chattanooga
This area is perfect if you want to explore as much of the downtown area as possible. It’s easy to exit the Tennessee Riverwalk itself and explore downtown shops, restaraunts, and whatever your heart desires. However, there are some difficult hills so keep this in mind. But the beauty of downtown is that there’s plenty of bike rental stations throughout the area to keep you enjoying the city for longer. (More about the bike rentals further below.)
Retired Industrial
This area meanders through the retired industrial part of Chattanooga. And this is where you’ll end in St. Elmo, if you choose this area. There’s some elevation changes here, but not as steep as downtown. And the highlight of this area is the Wheland Foundry Pass, which is a tunnel under active train tracks.
Good Starting Points for Bike Riding in Chattanooga
The Tennessee Riverwalk consists of 16 sections each with their own parking areas. There’s also 9 restrooms at some of these trailhead locations. Any of the trailheads along Amnicola Highway are a great place to start because they offer free parking. If you wish to start downtown or in St. Elmo, you’ll most likely have to pay for parking. I highly recommend checking out the trail map and planning your ride based on this information. The map is very detailed and even gives the mileage and amenities for each section.
Renting Bikes on the Tennessee Riverwalk
If you don’t have a bike or find it better to rent one, Chattanooga has an affordable bike rental option. Bike Chattanooga offers 400 bikes at 42 stations around downtown Chattanooga and along the Tennessee Riverwalk. At just $10 for a whole day, this offer cannot be beat. And if you’re staying longer, or you’re a local, there’s additional rental options to suit your needs.
Bike Chattanooga has an interactive map that allows you to see how many bikes are available at each station, including both electric bikes and regular bikes. The process is simple. Arrive at the bike station of your choosing and the kiosk will walk you through the instructions of how to use the bike rental system. All you need to remember is that you can only ride in 60 minute increments. You must trade out your bike at the nearest station before your 60 minutes are up if you wish to continue riding at no additional cost.
Feel free to take breaks in between your 60 minute rides. Grab lunch or a coffee at a local restaraunt or shop in between. If you plan to use this bike rental system, please keep in mind the time it will take for you to ride the distances between stations. Be mindful of this in the Amnicola Highway area and the Retired Industrial area especially, as the bike stations in these areas are quite spread out.
My Favorite Route to Bike Ride in Chattanooga
Personally, my favorite route to bike ride in Chattanooga is to start at the Chickamauga Dam, or near there. Then I’ll ride all the way to the downtown area, up to the Bluff View Art District. Conveniently, the Tennessee Riverwalk goes right through this area so it’s not out of the way. I will then treat myself to a coffee and treat at Rembrandt’s, as a reward for all my hard work of course. After taking a break, it’s time to head back the way I came. Overall, this bike ride is roughly 10 miles round-trip. If that’s too long for you, it can easily be shortened by starting at a closer point along Amnicola Highway.
In Closing
Bike riding in Chattanooga is the perfect way to get outside and explore the Scenic City. Whether you live here or are just visiting, this fun activity can be enjoyed with personal or rental bikes. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve ridden on the Tennessee Riverwalk and if so, which is your favorite section? Until next time, enjoy exploring Chatt!
