At Knoxville Outdoor Tours, we are known for our passion for the dirt. We live for the flow trails at Baker Creek and the technical challenges of Haw Ridge Park.
But we know that sometimes, you aren't looking for adrenaline. Sometimes, you’re looking for a smooth cruise, scenic river views, and a relaxing way to connect the different neighborhoods of our amazing city without worrying about roots, rocks, or vehicle traffic.
Enter the Knoxville Greenway system.
While the Urban Wilderness gets the headlines for mountain biking, Knoxville quietly boasts an incredible, interconnected network of over 55 miles of paved greenways. Whether you are visiting town for the weekend, looking for a family-friendly outing, or just want to see the city from a new perspective, it’s time to hit the pavement.
Here is your guide to exploring Knoxville’s best paved paths, where to park, and how we can help you ride them in style.
The Connected City
The beauty of the Knoxville system is connectivity. You can ride from the trendy neighborhoods of West Knoxville, through the UT campus, along the downtown waterfront, and cross the river deep into nature without ever leaving a paved path.
The Crown Jewel: The Will Skelton Greenway
If you only have time to ride one paved trail in Knoxville, make it this one.
Named after the "Godfather of Knoxville Greenways," the Will Skelton Greenway is a stunning 3.6-mile (one-way) paved ribbon that immerses you in nature without requiring a mountain bike. It offers a perfect blend of river scenery and wildlife viewing, connecting Island Home Park to the Forks of the River Wildlife Management area.
Where to Park: For the easiest access to this route, we recommend parking at Island Home Park (2225 Island Home Ave). There is ample parking, restrooms, and a playground. You can hop right onto the paved trail heading east along the river.
The Route Highlights:
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The Wildlife: Because it cuts through protected areas surrounding Ijams Nature Center, it is common to spot deer, turkey, herons, and even bald eagles while you ride.
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The Sights: You’ll cruise past historic homes, ride under the canopy of old-growth trees, and catch sweeping views of the Tennessee River. In mid-summer, the trail ends right next to the famous Forks of the River sunflower fields—a photo op you can't miss.
The Downtown Connector: Neyland Greenway
Want to feel the energy of the city? The Neyland Greenway runs parallel to the mighty Tennessee River, taking you past iconic city landmarks.
Where to Park: The best central parking is at Volunteer Landing along the downtown waterfront. If that lot is full on a busy weekend, try the lots at Suttree Landing Park across the river in South Knoxville—it’s a quick ride across the Gay Street bridge to connect to the greenway.
The Route Highlights:
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Neyland Stadium: Ride right past the massive home of the Tennessee Volunteers.
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The Waterfront: The path takes you along Volunteer Landing, full of fountains, marinas, and restaurants.
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Connections: From here, you can easily connect to the Third Creek Greenway heading west towards UT Gardens and Tyson Park.
The Urban Oasis: Third Creek Greenway
This is the perfect path for a relaxing, shaded ride that connects the energy of the university to the open spaces of West Knoxville. The Third Creek Greenway follows its namesake creek for nearly 5 miles, offering a flat and scenic escape right in the middle of the city.
Where to Park: Tyson Park is the ideal starting point, offering plenty of parking, restrooms, and picnic areas. From here, you can ride east toward UT and downtown, or west toward Bearden.
The Route Highlights:
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UT Gardens: The trail runs directly past the beautiful University of Tennessee Gardens, a perfect spot to hop off your bike and smell the flowers.
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Shaded & Flat: Unlike some other parts of town, this greenway is mostly flat and well-shaded by mature trees, making it a comfortable ride even on warmer days.
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Park-to-Park Connection: It serves as a connector between Tyson Park and other recreational areas, making it easy to plan a longer, multi-stop outing.
The KOT Advantage: See More with Less Sweat
Sure, the greenways are mostly flat, but East Tennessee is still hilly country.
At Knoxville Outdoor Tours, we believe the ride quality matters just as much on pavement as it does on dirt. That’s why our rental fleet isn't made up of heavy, clunky city cruisers. We provide high-end Specialized bikes that are light, fast, and incredibly comfortable.
The E-Bike Game Changer:
The absolute best way to experience the full scope of these maps is on one of our Specialized Turbo Levo E-Bikes.
These aren't heavy mopeds; they are high-performance bicycles that give your pedaling a smooth, natural boost.
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Ride Further: Link the Neyland Greenway downtown to the Will Skelton Greenway in South Knoxville for a 15+ mile round trip that feels effortless.
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Flatten the Hills: The Will Skelton Greenway has a few rolling hills near the river—on our E-bikes, you’ll float right up them.
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Save Energy for Later: Cruise for a few hours and still have plenty of energy for dinner and drinks in Market Square.
How to Book Your Greenway Adventure
We make it incredibly easy to get rolling on the paved paths. We offer two ways to experience them:
1. Hassle-Free Rentals (Self-Guided) Want to explore the maps above at your own pace? Book one of our premium Specialized acoustic or E-bikes. We offer trailhead delivery to make your ride seamless. We’ll set you up with a helmet, ensure the bike fits perfectly, point you toward the best sights, and send you on your way.
2. Guided Paved Tours New to town and don't want to look at a map every five minutes? Book a guided tour. Our local experts will lead you on a curated route hitting the best scenic overlooks, historical spots, and hidden connectors that only the locals know.
Ready to Cruise? Don't miss out on the smoother side of Knoxville. The greenways are waiting.