Downhill Mountain Biking at Ober Gatlinburg

Ober Gatlinburg runs a downhill mountain bike park on the same mountain as the ski slopes — 11 purpose-built trails ranging from beginner-friendly greens to double black diamonds, all accessed by chairlift. No uphill pedaling required. Here's what to know before you go.

How it works

The Ober Gatlinburg Bike Park operates on a lift-access model: you load your bike onto the chairlift, ride to the top of the mountain, and descend on one of the 11 downhill-only trails. There's no uphill riding — every run starts with a chairlift and ends at the bottom, where you load up and go again. This format makes mountain biking genuinely accessible for riders who want the thrill of descending without the fitness requirement of climbing. Helmets are mandatory for all riders. If you bring your own bike, it must meet minimum suspension standards — call ahead or check obergatlinburg.com to confirm your bike qualifies.

Trails for all skill levels

The 11 trails span the full skill range — from green beginner-friendly singletracks to blue intermediate routes to black diamond and double black diamond lines for advanced riders. The "Hellbender," a double black diamond, is the park's most technically demanding trail. Beginner trails are accessible for riders as young as five years old who can safely control, steer, and brake a bike and safely load and unload the chairlift. The trail variety means a family with riders at different experience levels can all spend a full day on the mountain at their own pace — beginners stay on greens while stronger riders work the harder lines.

Rentals and lessons

Ober Gatlinburg provides bike rentals, helmets, and protective pads for visitors who don't have their own equipment — you don't need to travel with gear to ride. Rental bikes are maintained for trail performance. Lessons are available for first-time riders and beginners who want instruction before heading down the mountain. The combination of rentals and instruction makes the bike park accessible for visitors who have never mountain biked before and want to try it in a managed, lift-accessed environment without the commitment of purchasing equipment.

Season and hours

The Ober Gatlinburg Bike Park is a seasonal operation — it typically opens in mid-to-late spring and runs through mid-October, with weekend-only hours (Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM) through the end of the season. Hours and opening dates can shift year to year based on conditions and scheduling; check the current season's dates and hours at obergatlinburg.com before planning a visit specifically around the bike park. The park closes for winter when the mountain transitions to ski and snow operations.

Getting there

Ober Gatlinburg is accessible two ways from Gatlinburg: the Aerial Tramway from 1001 Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg (the most scenic option, covering 2.1 miles to the summit), or by driving Ski Mountain Road to the summit parking area. For bike park visitors with their own bikes, driving up Ski Mountain Road and loading directly to the chairlift is the more practical logistics sequence. Riders using rental bikes can take the tram and pick up equipment at the summit. Check obergatlinburg.com for current tram and bike park hours to confirm both are operating on your planned visit date, as the tram and bike park may have different seasonal schedules.

Frequently asked questions

What age can children ride at the Ober Gatlinburg Bike Park?

Riders must be at least 5 years old and must have the physical ability to safely control, steer, and brake the bike and to safely load, ride, and unload the chairlift without assistance. Closed-toe, secured shoes are required — flip-flops, Crocs, and loose-fitting shoes are not permitted.

Can I bring my own mountain bike?

Yes — but your bike must meet the park's minimum suspension standards. Call Ober Gatlinburg directly or check obergatlinburg.com to confirm your specific bike qualifies before making the trip. Rental bikes meeting the park's standards are available if your own bike doesn't qualify or if you prefer not to travel with equipment.

When is the bike park open?

The Ober Gatlinburg Bike Park typically operates mid-spring through mid-October, with weekend hours (Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM) through the end of the season. Opening and closing dates shift slightly each year. Check current-season dates at obergatlinburg.com before your visit.