Ride the Rhythm of the Road: Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways

Tennessee is a state made for the open road. The Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways program links together 3,800 miles of scenic rides across the state. These routes sing with legendary music, fascinating history, and breathtaking natural beauty. Each trail tells a different story, weaving through charming small towns, iconic landmarks, and winding backroads.

Start your journey in West Tennessee, where the Great River Road Trail follows the mighty Mississippi from Memphis to Reelfoot Lake. Along the way, high bluffs and verdant bottomlands unfold around you. Visit the boyhood home of Roots author Alex Haley in Henning, or spot bald eagles at Reelfoot Lake State Park. In Selmer, stop at Hockaday Handmade Brooms to see craftsman Jack Martin at work before heading to Pat’s Cafe for a classic slugburger.

Follow the Walking Tall Trail deeper into small-town history, Civil Rights landmarks, and world-class barbecue joints. You’ll pass through towns that raised rockabilly legends and inspired the grit and soul of West Tennessee music.

In Middle Tennessee, the Promised Land Trail celebrates the state’s pioneering spirit, tracing early settler paths through rolling farmland and riverside communities. Explore Burgess Falls, Rock Island, and Edgar Evins State Parks for outdoor adventures before winding down in Granville for live bluegrass or a drive-in movie in Watertown. For a taste of true Tennessee flavor, stop at the Foglight Foodhouse or sip a local vintage at one of the area’s wineries.

The Tennessee River Trail offers a slower pace, where canoeing the Buffalo River or boating at Paris Landing State Park connects you with Tennessee’s wilder side. Nearby, the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills celebrates one of the state’s most famous voices, while Hagy’s Catfish Hotel in Shiloh serves dinner with a view of the Tennessee River.

If you’re chasing history and hidden beauty, ride the Nashville Trace Trail. This route is rich with lore, from Meriwether Lewis’s grave site along the Natchez Trace Parkway to the artistic charm of Leiper’s Fork, where small-town life, live music, and handcrafted treasures are a staple.

In East Tennessee, roads wind higher and views stretch farther. The Pie in the Sky Trail connects the peaks and valleys surrounding Chattanooga, from Lookout Mountain’s sweeping panoramas to the glowing caverns at Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville. Venture along the Tanasi Trail for whitewater thrills on the Ocoee River and find scenic solitude at Bald River Falls near Tellico Plains.

Finally, the Top Secret Trail and White Lightning Trail explore East Tennessee’s hidden stories, from Oak Ridge’s Manhattan Project heritage to the moonshiner roots that helped inspire stock car racing.

Tennessee’s 16 official trails promise a journey through time, music, and pure Southern hospitality. Visit TNVacation.com for more information and let the stories of the Volunteer State unfold one scenic mile at a time.