Two cyclists ride along a path with a textured blue background.

Hiwassee River Gravel Loop

Route Overview

Nearby Towns & Parks

Hiwassee State Scenic River

Length

24.00 Miles

Elevation Range

3000

Terrain

Gravel Cycling

Features

Mountains, River, Woods

About This Route

This classic loop near Reliance is a perfect introduction to gravel riding in the Cherokee National Forest. With long stretches of quiet backroads, river views, deep forest climbs, and rewarding descents, the Hiwassee River Gravel Loop delivers big scenery in a manageable package. Expect a mix of smooth gravel, light pavement and just enough climbing to feel accomplished by the time you roll back to the Hiwassee River.

Ride With GPS

The Real Seal

In a world where millions of AI-generated photos are created every day, travelers can’t always tell what’s real anymore. But we’ve made a commitment to never use AI-generated pictures to represent our destinations. Every place we show is real. And to prove it, we created a certified mark for our photography that verifies its authenticity.

Every original photo submitted is analyzed to confirm it’s real, not AI-generated. Once verified, each picture receives content credentials and secure metadata showing who captured it, when it was taken and what camera was used.

Some basic retouching can still be part of a certified photo, but only when it helps to better reflect what was already there.

The Tennessee Real Seal sets a new standard for travel content that people can trust. So even when the landscape looks too beautiful to be true, you know it didn’t come from a prompt. It’s a real place in Tennessee, waiting for you to explore.