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Elizabethton Covered Bridge – Unaka High School loop from South Fork Holston River

Elizabethton Covered Bridge – Unaka High School loop from South Fork Holston River

Hard

4.7

(7898)

7,899

riders

Elizabethton Covered Bridge – Unaka High School loop from South Fork Holston River

05:09

103km

1,400m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 14, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Cherokee National Forest

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

5.24 km

The Original Ridgewood Barbecue

Highlight • Restaurant

Ridgewood Barbecue is a local landmark. It has been around since 1948. Personally, I have never eaten here but it is known as a low-key place where you can get traditional hickory smoked barbecue. If you're riding along Bristol Highway from Elizabethton, when you see Ridgewood Barbecue, you know you don't have far to Piney Flats.

Tip by

17.6 km

Elizabethton Covered Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

This bridge was built in 1882 in order to allow the town of Elizabethton to grow to the south. Each June there is a festival/parade that honors the bridge. Although the bridge is no longer open to motor vehicle traffic, it is still open to both bicycles and pedestrians throughout the year. Cyclists must dismount before crossing.

Tip by

18.3 km

Historic Train Exhibit at Harmon Park

Highlight • Historical Site

There are two large parking lots at this location. One is specifically for Harmon Park where you will find a nice covered picnic area and a playground for children. The other seems to be for the Carter Compassion Center and a Historical Train. The Carter Compassion Center, located between the two parking lots, is a non-profit that works to alleviate poverty in the area. At the far end of the parking lot you will find a plaque and an old train engine. The plaque gives you information about the history of trains in this area. This is an interesting place to visit or just park your car before a ride.

Tip by

25.9 km

Unaka High School

Highlight • Parking

Unaka High School is a good reference point if you are riding up Stony Creek Road from Elizabethon. You can't miss it. It is a large high school right off the road. During the weekends you can usually leave your car next to the baseball fields if you need a place to park. From here there are several nice cycling loops like the Hollows of Stoney Creek Loop or the Blue Springs Loop.

Tip by

70.6 km

South Holston Lake

Lake

103 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

76.3 km

23.1 km

3.05 km

766 m

147 m

Surfaces

92.2 km

10.8 km

368 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (1,070 m)

Lowest point (420 m)

Weather

Today

Thursday 16 July

33°C

18°C

35 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

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Elizabethton Covered Bridge – Unaka High School loop from South Fork Holston River

The Original Ridgewood Barbecue

Elizabethton Covered Bridge

Historic Train Exhibit at Harmon Park

Unaka High School

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