Piney Flats Bicycles and Fitness Buffalo Mountain Trails

Buffalo Mountain

Take exit 30 onto the University Parkway towards East Tennessee State Unviersity. From the exit ramp drive .9 miles and turn left on Cherokee Road. Continue on Cherokee for 2.2 miles. Turn left on Lone Oak Road at Cherokee Elementary school. Continue on Lone Oak for 3.6 miles. Turn left into the parking lot (free parking is available in the unpaved parking lot on the right) just after the ATV sign.

Length: 12.79 miles
Difficulty: difficult
Description: The Blue Trail is an ATV trail that begins near the parking lot entrance and sharply ascends the mountain. This is a difficult climb with some steep and technical sections. The soil is sandy with ruts and rocks. The ends at Oregon Gap on South Buffalo Mountain.

Length: A LOT
Difficulty: moderate
Description: Forest Service Road 188, referred to as "the fire road" by locals is the easiest route consisting of mostly gentle gravel road climbing with a few steep sections. From the parking lot turn left on Dry Creek Road and continue for 1.9 miles. Turn left on gated FS 188 and begin the climb up the gravel road. After 4.1 miles you will reach a fork. Bear left as the right fork (FS 4355) is a deadend. At mile 5.4 you will reach another fork. Bear left to continue to the Pinnacle Mountain Tower (elevation 3250"), which is 1.9 up the fire road. You will notice several intersections with the Blue trail on the ascent to the tower. The right fork of the juntion at mile 5.4 eventually deadends but allows you to join the Blue trail further down the mountain. After reaching the summit return by backtracking, or choose the Blue Trail or Mud Hollow routes.

Length:
Difficulty: moderate
Description: "Mud Hollor" as it is referred by locals is actually private property, but no problems have been encountered with the landowners. Mud Hollow is the preferred route to start a ride because it gives riders a good warm-up before beginning the heavy climbing. From the left side parking lot enter the trail on a short rooty single track. The trail quickly widens to narrow doubletrack for a short fast descent. Bear right at the bottom of the descent and cross the creek. The double track widens through rolling terrain along the base of the mountain. From here Mud Hollow begins a constant, moderately steep climb. At the top of Mud Hollow the trail opens up to a large sandy area then narrows again. Continue through this section turning right up the short climb up the gas line where you will find a nice view. From the top of the gas line a short peice of singletrack connects to the Blue Trail.