Feeling chalk on your hands along the rough surfaces as you climb rocky crags. Hills and mountains meeting your gaze as you cruise on a Harley or take a slower pace on a mountain bike. Heart pounding in your ears as you leap from a plane to get a bird's eye view of Tennessee's autumn colors. It's an extreme fall vacation. Made in Tennessee.
New Heights
(Credit: Outdoor Knoxville)
Knoxville is a perfect hub for climbers who will find more than 5,000 different routes within a three-hour drive of the city. Let Outdoor Knoxville be your guide to those routes which can be found in Tennessee natural gems like Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Devil's Racetrack, Black Mountain, and Ijams Crag to name a few. Head to Obed Wild & Scenic River's Lilly Boulders that are perfect for bouldering.
(Credit: Outdoor Chattanooga)
Additionally, Chattanooga is known nationwide for the miles of sandstone bluffs, crags and boulders that range in difficulty. Outdoor Chattanooga offers the equipment and insight into climbing and bouldering areas like the Tennessee Wall, Sunset Rock, Foster Falls, The Stone Fort, and Walnut Wall.
On Wheels
Rev up an all-terrain vehicle in Huntsville, Tennessee to explore more than 19,196 acres of Brimstone Recreation. More than 300 miles of OHV trails and roads lead to overlooks and explorative points of interest. Other activities include kayaking, fishing and hunting. Enjoy the beauty of the surrounding Appalachian Mountains in this adventure wonderland.
Hug the curves of the 14-county Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee through the Carve the Cumberland guide which outlines 12 different motorcycle routes filled with tree-lined curves, hills, waterfalls, and rural attractions. Routes range from 77 miles to a more extensive 184 miles.
West Tennessee helps cyclists enjoy the crisp fall air while taking in the autumn colors. Check out Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park with its five-mile intermediate trail. You'll experience pavement, switchbacks and turns with some elevation gain as you weave through the forest's colorful palette.
(Credit: Shelby Farms Park)
Shelby Farms Park offers a variety of trails for cyclists. Hop on the 10.85-mile Shelby Farm Greenline that runs from the Park to Memphis' Midtown area. Have some quiet time among the pine and hardwood forest areas of the 2.75-mile Chickasaw Trail. Challenge yourself on the mountain biking Tour De Wolf which leads you past hidden lakes and wildlife viewing areas.
Like A Bird
(Credit: Sky Dive King Air)
Whether it's your first skydive or you'd like to enroll in skydiving school, Tennessee provides the means to get a bird's eye view of fall color as you jump from a plane and descend to a soft landing. With expert jumpers of 5-31 years of experience (or more in some cases), you're in safe hands with state-of-the-art skydiving equipment. Suit up with skydiving companies like Sky Dive Tennessee in Tullahoma; Adventure Sky Diving in Nashville; and Sky Dive King Air in Whiteville (40 miles east of Memphis).
Park visitors 10 years-old and older can zip, climb and swing through the trees and over more than 20 bodies of water at Shelby Farm Park. More than 40 obstacles that include Tarzan swings, six zip lines and rop ladders offer limitless fun for those who want to concur a fun, physical challenge.
Experience how the birds see Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga's gorgeous scenery below during a tandem hang gliding session with some of the best instructors Chattanooga has to offer. Scale to heights of 2,000 ft. for views that will take your breathaway. For longer sessions, opt for the motorized hang glider. With it, you can take off from land or water and see areas not normally accessible to non-motorized hang gliders.
