Just a few miles from the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park lies a quiet, mountain town known as the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. Townsend offers so much for visitors, from Arts & Crafts to outdoor recreation with tubing, camping, hiking and biking. Miles of country roads wind throughout the valley with the sounds of a cool stream nearby and panoramic views of majestic mountain ranges. Old farmhouses and churches dot the countryside and long-standing cemeteries offer a peek into the history of the region. In addition to the back roads available for biking, visitors can enjoy the 5-mile paved bike and walking trail that runs along the main highway and the Little River, which features shade trees and remarkable views of the surrounding mountains.

The 11-mile Cades Cove loop road within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a favorite destination for bikers. Just a few miles from Townsend, this is a paved road with gentle slopes that provides access to many hiking trails plus all the scenic attractions that make Cades Cove so popular: old log cabins, churches, an old grist mill, mountain streams, panoramic vistas, and many forms of wildlife. The loop is open to bikers only on Wednesday and Saturday mornings to enjoy the scenery and wildlife without competing with auto traffic. The Little River Run, an 11 mile paved road, runs alongside the Little River with wildflowers abounding in Spring and Summer. This trail begins on Old Walland Highway and offers an easy grade ride. If you want to rent bicycles rather than bring your own, Cades Cove Bike Shop or Little River Village both rent bicycles and equipment. Smoky Mountain Bicycle Tours, located in Maryville just a few miles away, offers guided and self-guided road and mountain bicycle tours. No matter your experience level or age, Townsend is a great place for bikers to enjoy the incredible elements of the Smoky Mountains.