The best walks and hikes around Knoxville

Knoxville offers a wide variety of hiking experiences, with over 50 routes documented on komoot. These range from easy strolls along riverfronts to more challenging climbs in natural areas.

Yes, while many trails are easy to moderate, Knoxville does offer more strenuous options. For instance, House Mountain, Knox County's highest point, provides significant elevation gain and rewarding panoramic views. Komoot lists 13 moderate and 1 difficult route in the area, catering to hikers looking for a greater challenge.

Knoxville is rich in accessible, family-friendly trails. The extensive greenway system, such as the Lakeshore Inner & Outer Loops at Lakeshore Park Greenway, offers easy, paved paths suitable for all ages. The Ijams River Trail, Tower Trail, & Discovery Trails Loop at Ijams Nature Center also provides an easy experience through a wildlife sanctuary.

Many trails within Knoxville's Urban Wilderness and greenway system are dog-friendly, typically requiring dogs to be on a leash. It's always best to check specific park or trail regulations before heading out, but generally, you'll find plenty of opportunities to hike with your canine companion.

Knoxville's trails offer diverse scenic views. From the summit of House Mountain, you can enjoy panoramic vistas of the Cumberland Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains, and Clinch Mountain range. Trails along the Tennessee River, like those at Lakeshore Park, provide beautiful waterside scenery. Other areas, such as Sharp's Ridge Loop Trail, offer views of the Knoxville skyline.

Yes, many of Knoxville's trails are designed as loops, offering varied scenery without retracing your steps. Examples include the Lakeshore Inner & Outer Loops and the Ijams River Trail, Tower Trail, & Discovery Trails Loop. The Burnett Ridge & Tharp Trace Trail Figure-8 at Mead's Quarry Park is another popular loop option.

Knoxville's trails often lead to or pass by unique points of interest. At Ijams Nature Center, you can explore the historic Mead's Quarry, known for its pink marble. Fort Dickerson Park features the Augusta Quarry, a Civil War-era site. You might also encounter the River Trail Boardwalk or the Grassy Mound on Third Creek Greenway. The Sunsphere Observation Tower is also a notable landmark visible from some areas.

Knoxville offers great hiking opportunities year-round. Spring brings lush greenery and wildflowers, while fall showcases vibrant foliage, especially in areas like House Mountain. Summer is ideal for waterside trails and activities around quarry lakes. Even winter hiking can be pleasant, with clearer views and fewer crowds.

While Knoxville's immediate urban wilderness is more known for its riverfronts and quarry lakes, the broader East Tennessee region, including nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offers numerous trails with stunning waterfalls. Within Knoxville itself, the focus is more on river views and the unique quarry landscapes.

The hiking routes in Knoxville are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 3.3 stars from over 10 reviews. Hikers often praise the accessibility of the extensive urban wilderness network, the variety of landscapes from forests to riverbanks, and the well-maintained greenway systems that offer convenient escapes into nature.

Knoxville's Urban Wilderness and many greenways are integrated within the city, making some trailheads potentially accessible via public transport, though direct access to all points might vary. For specific routes like those at Ijams Nature Center or within the main Urban Wilderness, checking local transit routes is recommended. Parking is generally available at major trailheads.

The Knoxville Urban Wilderness is a unique network encompassing over 60 miles of multi-use trails within minutes of downtown. It connects parks, historic sites, and natural areas like Ijams Nature Center, Mead's Quarry, and Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area, offering a convenient and diverse outdoor experience. You can find more information about it on Visit Knoxville's website.