Hickory Nut Trail

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Features Commonly Bikepacked

This is an advanced backcountry trail. While there aren't too many expert features, you're very isolated and crashing is a high probability. There has been a history of illegal ATV use from the top of the trail so do your best to be discrete when entering.

This is an old Forest Service road closed to motor vehicles. It is not a maintained trail and has a real backcountry feel. Expect a few trees down, though it is cleared by some locals every now and then so you might get lucky. There are tons of baby head rocks and sticks. But you're certain to have a lot of great descending in between any breaks.

You can access this trail from Chimney Mountain Road, which is a rugged 4WD road. If you climb Chimney Mountain Road from the east, you'll cut out some climbing and descending. But the real way to ride this trail is to start at Tray Mountain Gap. From there, it's an 8-mile almost unbroken descent to Unicoi State Park. When looking for Hickory Nut Trail, you'll be at the end of a 4WD road. Look to the south-southwest and you should see a berm with a trail going over it, as opposed to a more distinct "road" to the right/west.

Once on the trail you can't get lost. There is almost always a faint trail from the few bikers who ride the route so do your best to follow that around all the rocks and sticks. The best part is the last 1-2 miles dropping into Unicoi State Park where it resembles more of a traditional trail with whoop-di-doos, moss, and still plenty of rocks. Near the bottom you'll go over some larger berms and the trail crosses the hiking-only Smith Creek Trail - slow down so you don't hit anyone!