Best hikes in and around Knoxville ahead of Tennessee's showdown with Texas Longhorns
Ijams Nature Center, House Mountain, and Sharp's Ridge top the list of must-hike Knoxville trails to explore during a fall college football weekend.
Fall is officially here, which means hiking season is about to reach its peak.
Hiking in the summer is fine and all, but autumn hikes feature perfect temperatures, fall colors, and crisp air that will have you remembering your treks for years to come.
And what better way to kick off the true start to hiking season than a top-15 college football showdown in east Tennessee.
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With all due respect to college towns like Oxford and Lubbock, they have nothing on Knoxville when it comes to getting a true hike in.
Being able to pick trails around the University of Tennessee and its surrounding areas is almost like cheating, so if you're heading to Neyland for the game this weekend, you owe it to yourself to check out a few of these spots.
The best overall hike in the Knoxville area has to belong to the Ijams Nature Center.
Whether you're in town early or you have only a couple hours on Saturday morning before kickoff, this is the hike for you.
Situated just three miles from downtown, Ijams Nature Center features more than 14 miles of hikeable trails across forests, meadows, ponds and an old quarry landscape, with routes ranging from easy to difficult.
I highly recommend checking out Mead's Quarry, which has several trails that weave through a former industrial landscape around a gorgeous quarry lake.
If you're looking for a nice, relaxing hike, you can also check out the River Boardwalk, which features stunning views of the Tennessee River.
There's something for everyone here and you don't even need to leave the city.
While Ijams is the more versatile pick, if you're looking for the best "pure hike," House Mountain is the place to be.
The House Mountain State Natural Area is about 15 miles northeast of the city, and it gives hikers both a workout and a view for their efforts.
Seriously, this is the highest point in Knox county, featuring a 2,100-foot crest for those of you who are looking to actually climb something while you're in the Volunteer State.
Readers beware: this is an actual hike, not just a leisurely stroll around a greenway, so pack accordingly.
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We're talking wooded areas leading to rocky overlooks, but the payoff of the breathtaking views of the Cumberland and Unaka Mountains is well worth it.
The burning in your calves will be temporary, but the pictures from the summit will last a lifetime.
When I said Knoxville was basically a cheat code when it came to hiking spots, I wasn't lying, and Sharp's Ridge Veterans Memorial Park is a perfect example of why.
It's less than a 10-minute drive from the downtown area, meaning the views of both the Knoxville skyline and the Smokey Mountains are insane.
Sharp's Ridge features nearly five and a half miles of trails, and the observation deck at the top with the aforementioned views is the reward for getting the job done.
The observation deck even has signage pointing out the names of the different mountains in the distance.
This is well worth your time, and it's just a short drive from where you are likely staying, meaning there's no excuse to miss out on this hike.
You can see the Smokies without ever having to go out of your way, so check it out while you're in Knoxville.
So, you're looking for a picturesque hike without being inundated by tourists? William Hastie Natural Area is the choice.
Consider this Knoxville's "hidden gem," as this hilly and wooded trail to the south of the city is the one only locals know about.
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The natural-surface trails weave through miles of heavily forested terrain, and it has hikes that will satisfy both beginners and seasoned veterans alike.
Trails like Mitchie's Way have been designed specifically with hikers in mind, meaning the whole area is optimized for those looking to just get a good hike in.
No frills, but definitely not bare bones either.
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Enjoy this spot situated in Knoxville's Urban Wilderness network, close enough to downtown that you don't need to spend all day driving, but far enough away that you can be one with nature.
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