It is said that four wheels move the body, but two wheels move the soul. If you’re a cycling enthusiast, Cumberland Gap and the surrounding area offers some picturesque pathways on which to enjoy the wind in your hair while riding your bicycle. Whether you desire a leisurely ride to soak up the views of the quiet countryside or you wish to give your leg muscles a workout, chances are one of the following bike-friendly trails below will quench your cycling thirst.
Cumberland Gap Greenway
The Cumberland Gap Greenway is a 1.3-mile paved rail-trail that runs along an old railway between the town of Cumberland Gap through the woods to Harrogate. This multi-use trail winds through the quiet Mayberry atmosphere of Cumberland Gap before passing by residence buildings at Lincoln Memorial University, then the Kaitlyn DeVries Memorial Dog Park on Roslyn Ave. Among other popular features of the trail, cyclists cross over two streets via a covered bridge.
But perhaps the most exciting feature is that the Cumberland Gap Greenway passes through an underground tunnel that was used by the old railroad in the past. The tunnel displays the original brick as well as motion activated lighting. The trail ends in Harrogate by crossing over Cumberland Gap Pkwy via a pedestrian bridge. From there, it is then connecting to the Harrogate Walking/Biking Trail.
Harrogate Walking/Biking Trail
The Harrogate Walking/Biking Trail is a 2.5-mile paved trail that meanders through the nearby city of Harrogate and surrounding fields. The trail picks up from the Cumberland Gap Greenway on the northern end by the pedestrian bridge over Cumberland Gap Pkwy. The trail then cuts through a portion of the Lincoln Memorial University campus, which eventually gives way to open fields as cyclists follow Morris Lane to Harrogate City Park.
There are several loops through the park before traveling south past City Hall and ending by H. Y. Livesay Middle School in Harrogate. Lincoln Memorial University maintains Harrogate City Park and Harrogate Walking/Biking Trail.
Wilderness Road Trail
For the somewhat more ambitious cyclist, the Wilderness Road Trail may offer the perfect bicycling excursion. Bonus if you’re also a local history lover, as history runs deep along this 8.5-mile trail. Wilderness Road Trail roughly follows the path carved by Daniel Boone himself in 1775. Before being converted to the rail-trail it is today, this trail served as a railroad route on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.
At the western trailhead locate in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, the trail connects to the 1.6-mile Boone Trail, which then connects to the larger trail system continuing through the Cumberland Gap. The first 2 miles of the trail run parallel to US 58, but you’re well separated from vehicles. Following those couple of miles, the trail meanders into much more quiet and scenic area, although still paralleling US 58 until the trail’s end just west of Ewing, VA. Once the trail distances from the road, it winds through approximately 7 miles of beautiful farmland, dotted with barns, silos, cattle, and charming homes with Cumberland Mountain serving as a breathtaking backdrop.