The Upper Cumberland launching several new gravel cycling routes designed to showcase the region’s natural beauty and boost tourism.
The routes are part of a statewide initiative through the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and the “Bike Tennessee” program. Tennessee Gravel Owner Shannon Burke said the Upper Cumberland stood out as a natural fit due to its combination of scenic landscapes and existing gravel road networks.
“You already have what cyclists are looking for… low traffic, beautiful, scenic backroads,” Burke said. “All we need to do is let people know that these backroads are there and make it easy for them to discover them.”
New routes include areas near Standing Stone State Park, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and Pickett CCC Memorial State Park.
The new routes add to an existing network of over 1,000 miles of diverse terrain biking trails across the state. Burke said routes in places like Standing Stone and Big South Fork offer cyclists a chance to ride through forested terrain, access remote landscapes, and experience views that are often inaccessible by traditional road bikes.
“That’s actually the fastest growing segment in cycling, really, nationwide and worldwide,” Burke said. “It’s a hot item because people want to get away from the cars, and they want to explore beautiful places that they can’t get to with skinny tires. And so it’s a different type of setup on your bicycle to use these gravel roads. And so the timing to put this out here is really good because people are looking for places to ride their brand new gravel bikes, and Tennessee has a lot to offer.”
In addition to scenic value, Burke said the routes were designed with tourism in mind to connect riders to local businesses and recreational opportunities.
“You put together a nice day for people where they’re able to park… do a really nice ride, come back, have lunch, maybe do a hike to the waterfall,” Burke said. “It becomes a full day of activity, or maybe even a full weekend, which would be ideal from a tourism standpoint.”
Burke said the routes are available online through the Bike Tennessee platform and can be downloaded using GPS-based apps, giving cyclists turn-by-turn navigation throughout their ride.
Burke said it may take time to build momentum, but the long-term goal is to establish regions like the Upper Cumberland as must-visit destinations for cycling enthusiasts. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Tennessee’s outdoor economy generated an estimated $15.6 billion in 2024.
,A total of 37 gravel cycling routes added across the state