Review Date
February 25, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: mitchman1982 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
These trails have more different kinds of riding than anyone could need. From easy fast & fun smooth singletrack to 10 foot drops if you know where to find them.

Recommended Route:
It all depends on how you feel that day. I think the rock gardens are super fun if you are skilled, brave, and feeling dialed in that day.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Tanasi, Chilhowee, Booker T

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Review Date
January 23, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: jphixson ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Trail is awesome, best trail in Southeast Tennessee.

Recommended Route:
I recommend a different direction each time to keep it fresh.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Booker T Washington State Park Trail is good for a mid level rider.

Review Date
September 7, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: cmweldon ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Besides really long climbs or downhills, this place has it all. I'm a believer and you should be too. While there isn't a lot of climbing compared to some places, it has enough obstacles to make you work. It has incorporated a lot of the features of the land which makes it a pleasure to ride. Also, there are trails for all skill levels and an upcoming freeride area if everything gets approved. And that place is super FUN. I highly recommend this place and give it five chilis all around. Top drawer!

Recommended Route:
Every Way and Starting place is great. Try them all.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
All trails in N. GA, Tanasi and Chilhowee Trail Systems

Review Date
June 29, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: RobnRudy ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
My son and I had our first ride at Raccoon Mtn. last week (6/22/07) and are most impressed with the hard work and imagination of the SORBA chapter in Chattanooga. As more people write about these wonderful trails, I am sure the consensus will be that there is something for everyone with plenty of fast cross- country & bailouts to the lake perimenter road for novices and lots of tough rock hopping and climbing for advanced riders especially below the longest rock dam I've ever seen. With its ease of access, incredible views of the Tennessee Gorge, Chattanooga & Lookout Mtn. Valley, variety of skill by trail section, & proximity to I-24, this trail will certainly become the most visited "urban" trail in TN. If you coming from Middle TN, it is the quickest way to get to a great mountain experience but still have a pretty good idea where you are with the trails proximity to the reservoir road.

Recommended Route:
If you start with the East Ridge Trail and complete the whole system of perimeter trails back to the start like we did, you will start excited and energized by the fast & fun first 3 trails. The 3rd, Grindstone Ridge introduces tough climbs but rewards you with fun after the climbs. The 4th & most difficult trail, currently called Barry Smith's trail on the 3D Map from sorbachattanooga.com/trails/Tennessee, is picked-up at the Visitor Center as you finish Grindstone. I plan to start at the visitor center next time so I can save the 3 easier trails full of whoop-ti-doos for last. Finishing up with the TN Gorge trail and the Split Rock trail taxes the endurance of weaker intermediates like my son and I and we didn't have enough strength to take advantage of the fun that is built into these trails for the strong riders who could probably do the entire perimenter twice.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
We made a 3 day trip from middle TN to East TN.
Started at AEDC's fast cross country trails between Tullahoma & Manchester
Raccoon Mtn next day
Chilhowee Mtn above Ocoee the third day (some really advanced rock work in some sections)If you start with the East Ridge Trail and complete the whole system of perimeter trails back to the start like we did, you will start excited and energized by the fast & fun first 3 trails. The 3rd, Grindstone Ridge introduces tough climbs but rewards you with fun after the climbs. The 4th & most difficult trail, currently called Barry Smith's trail on the 3D Map from sorbachattanooga.com/trails/Tennessee, is picked-up at the Visitor Center as you finish Grindstone. I plan to start at the visitor center next time so I can save the 3 easier trails full of whoop-ti-doos for last. Finishing up with the TN Gorge trail and the Split Rock trail taxes the endurance of weaker intermediates like my son and I and we didn't have enough strength to take advantage of the fun that is built into these trails for the strong riders who could probably do the entire perimenter twice.

Review Date
May 31, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: mitchman1982 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Something for everyone, fast twisties, big downhills, technical sections...etc... There is so many choices here, and if you can run all the trails both ways in 1 ride then you are pretty freakin tough! I just ride certain sections both ways every time I go. Maybe 1 day I will have the time & stamina to do everything both ways. It can get a little busy here on weekends, so try to go during th eoff times.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Booker T Washington Park is a lot of fun and most of it runs by the lake which makes for a sweet mid ride swim. I always do when it is warm enough...kind a like a biathlon ride & swim.