SORBA Chattanooga Launches Curated Mountain Bike Routes

The routes are featured within the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development's Bike Tennessee program, which expanded to 11 mountain biking hubs.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Cycling

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a lone mountain biker leaning through a turn on a red-clay trail through green forest, referencing Chattanooga's trail riding scene.
SORBA Chattanooga's curated mountain bike routes are now featured in Tennessee's Bike Tennessee program, which expanded to 11 mountain biking hubs statewide. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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SORBA Chattanooga, the local mountain bike nonprofit and trail steward, launched curated mountain bike routes for Bike Tennessee. The expansion adds 11 mountain biking hubs across Tennessee and builds on the state's existing road and gravel cycling offerings.

Why it matters

The curated routes put trusted local trail knowledge in riders' hands before they arrive in Chattanooga. The move reflects the growing role of mountain biking in state tourism promotion.

SORBA Chattanooga cares for 100 miles of multi-use trail within a 190-mile regional network, while Tennessee has about 2,000 miles of singletrack statewide. The source does not specify how many curated routes were launched.

The players

SORBA Chattanooga

SORBA Chattanooga is the local chapter of the Surly Off-Road Bicycle Association, a nonprofit that builds, maintains and advocates for mountain bike trails in the greater Chattanooga region.

Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is the state agency that promotes travel and tourism across Tennessee, including the Bike Tennessee program.

The details

Riders can find SORBA Chattanooga's featured routes within Bike Tennessee's statewide collection of trail systems. Route listings include mileage, skill-level recommendations, and navigation through Trailforks, with detailed overviews on the Bike Tennessee and SORBA Chattanooga websites.

Timeline

  1. 2025: Trust for Public Land releases study finding mountain biking tourists spend an average of $416 per visit.

  2. November 6, 2026: SORBA Chattanooga route launch is announced.

Roadmap

The Trust for Public Land's 2025 study found mountain biking tourists spend an average of $416 per visit, a figure that helps explain why states are now building dedicated mountain bike offerings alongside road and gravel cycling. Tennessee's expansion to 11 mountain biking hubs places Chattanooga within this growing statewide strategy.

Riders planning trips to Chattanooga can use the curated SORBA routes and Trailforks navigation to choose trails by mileage and skill level. Route information is available through the Bike Tennessee and SORBA Chattanooga websites before arrival.

The takeaway

Mountain bikers planning a Tennessee trip can use the featured routes to match trails to their skill level before arriving. Checking the Bike Tennessee and SORBA Chattanooga sites beforehand helps plan rides around local conditions.

Further reading

For more on local riding, see Cycling coverage across the Chattanooga area.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Pulse » Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative.

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