Daily Program
Day 1: Arrival in Tellico Plains
Arrive, settle in and explore historic Tellico Plains!
You'll stay overnight (space permitting) at the Tellico Farmhouse Inn, an authentic 1908 Farmhouse with charming original details, including original floors, but recently updated to include all the modern conveniences.
Your hosts, Kyle and Laura, will welcome you warmly, along with their dogs Ellie and Sydney and cat Roger.
Overnight at Tellico Farmhouse Inn
Day 2: Tellico Plains Along Tellico River Road and Back (24-44 miles round trip)
Follow the Tellico River through a deep chasm on an asphalt forest service road deep into Cherokee National Forest. The first half is nearly entirely uphill, but it’s gradual--although it doesn’t feel so gradual on the sweeping downhill ride back. It’s an out and back, so you can turn around whenever you’d like. The full distance takes you almost to the North Carolina line. Whatever distance you ride, you’ll have the river as company the entire way as it tumbles down from the Smoky Mountains. An early highlight: Bald River Falls (12 miles) with an opportunity to hike. Turn around here, or continue to Green Cove Angler Store (7 miles) for snacks and a restroom break with an optional extension to the Tellico Trout Hatchery (1.5 miles) and further to the North Carolina State Line (3 miles). Return to Tellico Plains (22 miles from State Line)
Overnight at Tellico Farmhouse Inn
Day 3: Tellico Farmland Loop (25-33 miles)
Depending on your choice of route, ride through forest and farmland toward the Little Tennessee River stopping at Hidden Lake Campground and Resort. Continue to Tellico Community Farmers Market, a small Mennonite market with produce from local farmers. At Tellico Farm Cottage, meet the cows and farmers of this sixth generation farm. Return to Tellico Plains.
Overnight at Tellico Farmhouse Inn
Day 4: Tellico Plains to Tsali Notch Vineyard to Athens (34 miles)
Enjoy a leisurely back-country ramble to Tsali Notch Vineyard, a 202-acre muscadine grape vineyard. Named after an historic Cherokee leader, Tsali Notch vineyard specializes in muscadine grapes, grown on over 6,000 vines on 21 miles of trellises, covering 35 acres of a 202-acre estate. The property has an average elevation of 1,150 feet and is ringed by sweeping mountain views. The Vineyard tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon until 6 pm.
Your ride ends at your private mansion outside of Athens, Ramble Creek Manor. You can end the day in the pool or hot tub or just lounge on the deck and look at the sunset.
You'll have the option to be pampered at Ramble Creek with breakfast, dinner and picnic lunches prepared by a caterer by your own private chef, using local farm products as much as possible. Or we can provide ingredients or prepared meals for you.
Overnight at Ramble Creek Manor
Day 5: Athens to Englewood loop (36 miles)
This is one of our favorite rides, as it provides a sampling of the best of everything in this part of the Chattanooga region - farmland, woodland, hills, and creekside flats - all in a manageable 36-mile loop. It also has the perfect lunch stop at the Tellico Junction Cafe in downtown Englewood, a small town with a lot of country charm.
Overnight at Ramble Creek Manor
Day 6: Individual departure
Transfer available back to Tellico Plains, if you parked there.
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