Skip to content
America’s Trails

Top 10 Trails in Tennessee

By: Shelby Deering
October 20, 2021

Tennessee's Chattanooga Riverwalk | Photo by TrailLink user pnmcveigh
Tennessee's Chattanooga Riverwalk | Photo by TrailLink user pnmcveigh

Tennessee’s state slogan is, “Tennessee: America at Its Best.” Although this isn’t as quippy as one of the many quotes shared by famous Tennessean Dolly Parton, it really does describe the state’s trails and stunning natural areas. From the magnificent Smoky Mountains to the Appalachian Trail to impressively expansive assets like the Cumberland Park State Trail system, Tennessee has plenty of nature to go around. Its rail-trails and greenways run their course through these picturesque surroundings and, equally, pay homage to urban areas where they can be found. Here are 10 of our favorite trails in this Southern state.

Shelby Farms Greenline

Tennessee's Shelby Farms Greenline | Photo courtesy Shelby Farms Park Conservancy
Tennessee’s Shelby Farms Greenline | Photo courtesy Shelby Farms Park Conservancy

County: Shelby 

If you’re searching for a rail-trail that comes with a heaping side of things to do, you’re in luck with the Shelby Farms Greenline. At just over 10 miles, running from midtown Memphis to Cordova, the asphalt trail resides alongside the accompanying 4,500-acre Shelby Farms Park, the largest urban park in the United States. It’s a place packed with family-friendly activities. Bike rentalsHorseback ridingZiplining? A water play sprayground? Yup, they’ve got it all. The park even has its own herd of American Bison, rounding out the diverse experiences this trail, and park, has to offer. 

TRAIL OF THE MONTH: Tennessee’s Shelby Farms Greenline (May 2016)

Tweetsie Trail

Tennessee's Tweetsie Trail in Elizabethton | Photo courtesy Carter County Tourism
Tennessee’s Tweetsie Trail in Elizabethton | Photo courtesy Carter County Tourism

Counties: Carter, Washington 

Adorably named after steam whistle sounds of yore, today, the 10-mile crushed stone Tweetsie Trail between Johnson City and Elizabethton is a local treasure. If you’re interested in railroad history, this trail is for you, featuring nearly two dozen markers with historical info, along with nature facts, too. At mile marker 2.5, there’s the Milligan Depot, a replica train station. Still jonesing for local history? Don’t miss the 70-acre Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, just off the trail. Several important 18th-century events took place here, where you can view historic reenactments and see the oldest standing frame house in Tennessee.  

TRAIL OF THE MONTH: Tennessee’s Tweetsie Trail (Oct. 2020)

Mountain Goat Trail 

Tennessee's Mountain Goat Trail | Photo by TrailLink user pld5
Tennessee’s Mountain Goat Trail | Photo by TrailLink user pld5

County: Grundy 

Don’t fear—you don’t have to be an actual mountain goat to tackle this trail! The 7.5-mile, asphalt Mountain Goat Trail, starting in Sewanee, was once a railway that carried coal and passengers. Punctuated with striking wooded scenery and wooden bridges, this trail has plenty of opportunities to see nature in all its glory, especially since it runs alongside the Hawkins Cove State Natural Area, a 249-acre destination dotted with limestone formations. 

Eureka Trail 

Tennessee's Eureka Trail | Photo by TrailLink user jpayant23
Tennessee’s Eureka Trail | Photo by TrailLink user jpayant23

County: McMinn 

Acting as a connector between Athens and Englewood, the Eureka Trail comes in at nearly 5 miles. The gravel surface was once an old railroad bed, making its way through wooded areas and bucolic farmland. Named after a cotton mill that once resided at the Englewood trailhead, today, the trail holds a couple notable destinations that will give your excursion a real flavor for the area, like the Loch Low-Minn Scuba Diving Resort. If you’re an avid scuba diver, you’ll love viewing fish and other aquatic wildlife in a pristine 10-acre quarry lake. In Athens, you’ll discover the nearby Mayfield Dairy Farms, where you can savor locally-churned ice cream. 

Will Skelton Greenway 

Tennessee's Will Skelton Parkway | Photo courtesy Visit Knoxville
Tennessee’s Will Skelton Parkway | Photo courtesy Visit Knoxville

County: Knox 

There’s a reason why trails are sometimes called “greenways”—they’re just so lush and green that the name is fitting. And it’s certainly appropriate for the 3.5-mile, asphalt Will Skelton Greenway, which is located near Knoxville and starts at Island Home Park. Saturated with verdant trees and beautiful views of the Tennessee River, you can visit the Ijams Nature Center to enjoy even more of the outdoors, and the Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area, where sunflowers bloom as far as the eye can see. 

Melton Lake Greenway 

Tennessee's Melton Lake Greenway | Photo by TrailLink user rickschmidt0325
Tennessee’s Melton Lake Greenway | Photo by TrailLink user rickschmidt0325

County: Anderson 

Oak Ridge, located near Knoxville, holds a treasure in the nearly 6-mile Melton Lake Greenway, an asphalt trail that runs alongside Melton Hill Lake, where collegiate and other crew teams frequently practice in its waters. In addition to the close-up views of the lake as you walk or ride, there are a couple of parks to check out during your excursion, such as Melton Lake Park, where you can have a picnic and play sand volleyball, and Haw Ridge Park, geared toward mountain bike enthusiasts. 

Stones River Greenway 

Tennessee's Stones River Greenway | Photo by TrailLink user carolleahamlett
Tennessee’s Stones River Greenway | Photo by TrailLink user carolleahamlett

County: Davidson 

Linking up with Nashville’s extensive greenway system, Stones River Greenway is one that’s particularly notable, running parallel with the Stones River for much of its 10 miles and providing pretty waterside scenes and a view of the 130-foot J. Percy Priest Dam. To see more local sites, don’t miss the neighboring Stone Hall estate, built in 1918 and still looking stately to this day. At the tunnel beneath the Briley Parkway, each entrance features kaleidoscopic murals by graffiti artists Dante Bard and Troy Duff. 

Townsend Historical Trail 

Tennessee's Townsend Historical Trail | Photo by Mary Grace McCaffery
Tennessee’s Townsend Historical Trail | Photo by Mary Grace McCaffery

County: Blount 

While Great Smoky Mountains National Park is certainly packed with trails, they sometimes can be packed with people, too. If you’d prefer an off-the-beaten-path trail that still captures the Smoky Mountain spirit, head to the 9-mile Townsend Historical Trail. Located in the hamlet of the same name, this tranquil asphalt trail features historical markers and scenic views. Nearby, you’ll find the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, showcasing 13 historic buildings, and the Little River Railroad Museum, an homage to local railroad history. 

Chattanooga Riverwalk 

Walnut Street Bridge along Chattanooga Riverwalk | Photo by TrailLink user amandaoverton79
Walnut Street Bridge along Chattanooga Riverwalk | Photo by TrailLink user amandaoverton79

County: Hamilton 

Celebrate all that Chattanooga has to offer with the 16-mile paved Chattanooga Riverwalk. A mix of urban sights and natural beauty, you’ll view the Tennessee River as you take in the local culture. Many people on the path make the Tennessee Aquarium a must-stop, teeming with 10,000 aquatic animals from river otters to penguins to jellyfish. Need a boost of creativity? The trail goes right through the Bluff View Art District, known for its art gallery, coffeehouse and gardens. 

Erwin Linear Trail 

Tennessee's Erwin Linear Trail | Photo by TrailLink user david.biggs
Tennessee’s Erwin Linear Trail | Photo by TrailLink user david.biggs

County: Unicoi

Winding its way through the Cherokee National Forest and into the town and parks of Erwin, the 4-mile, asphalt Erwin Linear Trail, with its mostly flat grade, is a treat for travelers of all ages and abilities. Perfect for families who want to take it easy, you’ll spot creeks and ponds as you mosey on over to the nearby Fishery Park, where you’ll find a restored wetland, tennis and basketball courts and outdoor concerts.

Honorable Mention

Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park

Thought of by residents as an iconic trail system, the Cumberland State Park Trail is undoubtedly a Tennessee must-see. Spanning over 330 miles through 11 counties, the trail is made up of several impressive segments, like the Cumberland Mountain Segment, where you’ll view the striking Cumberland Mountain Range and the Powell River Valley. Rock formations, waterfalls, mountain vistas, rivers and lakes populate this trail, making it one of the single best ways to appreciate all the gorgeous scenery this state has to offer.

When you subscribe to Rails to Trails magazine, you’ll have access to many other features like this one. Our magazine is a premium of Rails-to-Trails Membership. Join today to start receiving the magazine!

Find Your Trail on TrailLink.com | Graphic courtesy TrailLink
Find Your Trail on TrailLink.com | Graphic courtesy TrailLink
Shelby Deering
Shelby Deering

Shelby Deering is a freelance lifestyle writer in Madison, Wisconsin. When she’s not writing for national publications, you’ll find her hiking and running the area’s many local trails. She’s also a former Rails-to-Trails Conservancy intern. Learn more at shelbydeering.com.

Donate today!

Donate

Everyone deserves access to safe ways to walk, bike, and be active outdoors.

```