Legacy Parks Treasure — The 1,000-acre Knoxville Urban Wilderness, championed by Legacy Parks Foundation, is a partnership with Ijams, AMBC, TWRA and the City and County of Knoxville. We are developing the 1,000-acre Urban Wilderness, that when completed, will connect ten parks, feature over forty miles of recreational trails, four civil war sites, and diverse ecological features and recreational amenities. We invite you to become a Friend of Legacy Parks where your donations help us build trails and expand this unique urban playground!
Only three miles from downtown, Knoxville's Urban Wilderness presents a unique urban playground for hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners! The first phase of the Urban Wilderness project is the newly opened South Loop Trail — thirty-five miles of natural surface trails connecting five parks and natural areas along with public and private lands creating an unparalleled outdoor venue! An 11.5 mile loop connects Ijams Nature Center, Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area, William Hastie Natural Area and Marie Myers Park with trailheads and parking along the route. The main loop offers easy to moderate trails for all users and the additional 24 miles of secondary trails accommodate users from beginner to advanced on dozens of trails of varying terrain.
The vision for Knoxville's Urban Wilderness includes the addition of the Battlefield Loop and the Connectors. The Battlefield Loop will provide an historic and recreational experience that would feature three Civil War forts and a city park: the River Bluff; Fort Stanley; Fort Higley; Loghaven; and Fort Dickerson Park. The Connector would be comprised of existing roads and sidewalks to allow for bike and pedestrian connection to both loops. Key elements of the Connector would be Island Home Park, Island Home Boulevard, Henley Street underpass, Blount Avenue and Chapman Highway. We encourage you to help us make this vision a reality by becoming a Friend of Legacy Parks.
Bike Rentals: Ijams Nature Center is partnered with River Sports Outfitters offering bike rentals for use on the trails and greenway.
KNOXVILLE'S URBAN WILDERNESS SOUTH LOOP:
The new pocket-sized Urban Wilderness trail map is now available thanks to the following sponsors: Appalachian Mountain Bike Club; Knox Revolution Women's Cycling Club; Knoxville Track Club; Harvey Broome Group of the Sierra Club; Smoky Mountain Wheelmen Bike Club; Biketopia Bike Shop; Bike Zoo; Blue Ridge Mountain Sports; Cedar Bluff Cycles; Cycology Bicycles; Fountain City Pedaler; Greenlee's Bicycle & Hospital; Legacy Parks Foundation; Little River Outfitters; River Sports Outfitters; Runners Market; Tennessee Valley Bikes; Three Rivers Market; Vick Dyer Coldwell Banker Wallace & Wallace Realtor; City Councilmen 1st District Nick Pavlis; Provision Health Alliance; and Covenant Health. Maps are available at the sponsor locations listed on the right side bar.
View South Loop Map online
Download a printable pdf
Kiosks are located in each park within the system and at major trailheads. Trail markers along the trails are color-coded. The 12.5-mile main South Loop Trail is blazed with the purple urban wilderness logo. Trails are identified by trail name and difficulty rating. Major trail intersections offer a smaller trail map noting the user's current location.
IJAMS NATURE CENTER, ROSS & MEAD'S QUARRY
View Map online
Download a printable pdf
There are miles of multi-user trails through the Ross Marble Natural Area that twist and curve through the former quarry site winding past wetland areas where trail builders have installed several bridge crossings to keep you above ground and dry. In addition to the multi-user trails, there are hiking only trails that take you past the historic Stanton Cemetery to the top of the ridge for an overlook of the turquoise Mead's Quarry Lake. More wandering around the old quarry will take you past gated caves and uniquely carved marble shelves; over the rock bridge and underneath the "keyhole" before looping back to the main trail. The tranquil trails on the river side of Ijams Nature Center wind through undisturbed woods and along the boardwalk where the Tennessee River flows below. These trails are open to hikers and trail runners.
MARIE MYERS PARK & WILLIAM HASTIE NATURAL AREA
View Map online
Download a printable pdf
The 2-mile trail through Marie Myers Park provides trail users the opportunity to travel from Ross Marble to the Hastie Natural Area. Look for an abundance of deer and turkey throughout this area. The 4 miles of singletrack trails that weave through Hastie Natural Area providing hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers can be technical in places with short hills and switchbacks to navigate. The gravel double-track that runs through the park, Margaret Road Trail, provides the easiest way to navigate through the park.
ANDERSON SCHOOL TRAILS
View Map online
Download a printable pdf
Leaving William Hastie Natural Area, the trail briefly travels along a quiet neighborhood street to Anderson School. Here, users will pick up the Lost Chromosome Trail of the main South Loop and travel through a wooded valley into the Forks of the River WMA. This trail crosses private property made accessible by easements granted by the landowners. Please respect their private property and stay on the trail. Look for wood ducks and the occasional Great Blue Heron in the pond on your left as you head towards Forks of The River WMA. The secondary Helix trails twist and turn through private property with many black diamond elements and technical trail features. Please leave your dogs at home.
The following video by Adam Brimer, Knoxville News Sentinel, features a 4 mile hike starting at Anderson School for their Hike of the Month.
FORKS OF THE RIVER WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
View Map online
Download a printable pdf
The trails located in the Forks of the River have been created over time by wildlife and hunters with those constructed more recently by the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. There are multiple trails to experience within the WMA, all of varying degrees of difficulty, views and topography. The South Loop main route begins on the paved Will Skelton Greenway, continues along the river’s edge and meanders through forests and fields. The internal trails pass through open fields, hardwood forests, hedgerows - all home to an abundance of wildlife and songbird activity.
Forks of the River trails are part of Knoxville's Urban Wilderness. The South Loop trail is multi-use for the enjoyment of hikers and cyclists at all skill levels. Users will be exhilarated by the views over the river atop high bluffs. Look for trail renovations to be completed by 2014 through a partnership among Legacy Parks Foundation, Appalachian Mountain Bike Club, and TWRA that aims to improve the user experience of this trail system. Kiosks, signs and blazes are being installed to help users navigate the trail system.
The paved Will Skelton Greenway, follows the river back to Mead's Quarry and then continues its course through Ijams Nature Center to Island Home Park.
Big thanks to the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club and all the volunteers that helped build these beautiful trails!
TRAIL NOTES:
Riding any of the trails during wet conditions is damaging to the trails. Avoid riding when trails are wet.
Leave no trace - please pack out your trash.
Please respect park lands and wildlife habitats by staying on the trail at all times.
Pets must be leashed and kept under control at all times.
Don't wear headphones or earbuds — you won't hear other use warnings.
Some trails may cross streets - regular traffic laws apply.
BICYCLISTS RULES OF THE TRAIL:
Downhill riders yeild to uphill riders, unless otherwise posted. Be considerate of novices and family groups.
Bikers yield to pedestrians unless otherwise posted. Call out "Rider Up" when approaching pedestrians or ring a bell for warning.
Portions of the trail may contain sections that exceed your skill level or posted difficulty rating. Cyclists should dismount and walk if necessary.