The best walks and hikes in Knox County

Knox County offers a wide variety of hiking experiences, with over 60 routes recorded on komoot. These range from easy strolls to more challenging climbs, catering to all skill levels.

You'll find diverse terrain in Knox County, from extensive greenways and riverine paths to dense woodlands and forested hills. The region features historic quarry sites, open fields, and the challenging slopes of House Mountain, the highest peak in the county.

Yes, Knox County has many family-friendly trails. The extensive greenway system, including paths within the Knoxville Urban Wilderness, offers accessible routes. For example, the Victor Ashe Park Loop — Knoxville is an easy 7.5 km trail suitable for a pleasant family outing.

For a challenging hike with rewarding panoramic views, head to House Mountain. While the House Mountain Trail Loop — Knoxville is considered difficult, it offers stunning vistas of the Cumberland and Smoky Mountains, and even downtown Knoxville from its west overlook.

Absolutely. Many trails in Knox County wind along riverbanks and through areas with natural waterways. The Knoxville Urban Wilderness itself connects various parks and greenways alongside water features. You can also explore routes around Meads Quarry, which offers serene flatwater paddling routes and serves as a starting point for trails like the Burnett Ridge & Tharp Trace Trail Figure-8 — Mead's Quarry Park.

Knox County trails offer access to several interesting landmarks. Within the Ijams Nature Center area, you can find the River Trail Boardwalk. Other notable points include the Grassy Mound on Third Creek Greenway and Volunteer Landing. For a unique urban view, the Sunsphere Observation Tower is also a prominent landmark in the area.

Yes, many trails in Knox County are designed as loops, providing a convenient way to explore without retracing your steps. Examples include the Fort Dickerson Quarry Loop — Knoxville and the Flow & Hickory Trail Loop — Meads Quarry, both offering easy, circular routes.

The trails in Knox County are highly regarded by the komoot community, with an average score of 3.7 stars from 18 reviews. Hikers often praise the region's diverse landscapes, the accessibility of trails within the urban wilderness, and the variety of options for different fitness levels.

For moderate, longer hikes, consider routes like the Sharp's Ridge Singletrack — Sharp's Ridge Memorial Park, which covers about 12.3 km. Another good option is the I.C. King Park Lasso — Knoxville, an 8.8 km moderate trail.

For additional information on outdoor activities, trails, and greenways in the region, you can visit the official tourism website for Knoxville: visitknoxville.com/things-to-do/outdoors/.

Yes, Ijams Nature Center is a significant hub within the Knoxville Urban Wilderness, offering over 14 miles of trails that connect to Mead's Quarry and the Ross Marble Natural Area. Other key areas include Lakeshore Park and Sharp's Ridge Memorial Park, which feature popular routes.