As you work your way up to running longer distances, finding routes that are engaging and fun can end up being more challenging than the run itself. We have listed our top picks for runs between 5 and 12 miles long, and they are all easily shortened or lengthened to match your personal goals. Get ready to explore wooded paths, riverside trails, and urban greenways with our list of the best long runs in Knoxville. (And check out this Guide to Greenways for shorter sections and interesting things to do along the way!)

1. Sequoyah Greenway/Third Creek Greenway

Terrain:  Crushed gravel, paved
Features:  The beautiful historic neighborhood of Sequoyah Hills, views of the Tennessee River, fountains, bathrooms

Mileage: Out-And-Back: Everly Brothers Park 8 miles, Tyson Park 12 miles, Volunteer Landing 15 miles, Morningside Park 20 miles

The Sequoyah Greenway along Cherokee Boulevard is dearly loved by Knoxvillians for its beautiful surroundings, low-impact crushed gravel, and convenient access. Though the boulevard trail itself is only about 5 miles out-and-back, its connection to the Third Creek Greenway near Kingston Pike allows runners to extend their excursion west towards Bearden or east to downtown. If you choose to go west, Everly Brothers Park makes a good place to take a break and learn a bit about the dynamic duo who attended nearby West High School in the 1950s and inspired musicians for generations to come. If you choose to go east, be sure to include a jog through the UT Gardens – beautiful any time of year.

Start of Sequoyah Greenway is at 2400 Cherokee Blvd. (3 separate parking areas along the Blvd, use 1400 Cherokee Blvd.

2. The South Loop

Terrain: Natural Surface Trail
Features: Riverside views and a sampling of Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness.
Mileage: 12.5 miles

Set amid the woods and quarries of Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness, the South Loop is the most immersive trail run you’re likely to find on this side of the Smokies. This idyllic urban escape circles though William Hastie Natural Area, Forks of the River, Ross Marble Quarry, and Marie Myers Park, forming the outer boundary of Knoxville’s biggest network of trails (55 miles and still growing!), so you can always branch off and explore other sections or add in an extra hill or mini loop to increase mileage. Note that this trail is mixed use and popular with mountain bikers. Restrooms can be found at Ijams Nature Center. A full map of the Urban Wilderness is available here.

Entrances at:
2915 Island Home Ave. (Ijams Nature Center)
3518 Island Home Pike (Mead’s Quarry at Ijams Nature Center)
1302 Margaret Rd. (William Hastie Natural Area)
3140 McClure Lane (Forks of the River/Will Skelton Greenway)
5907 Burnett Creek Road (Forks of the River)

3. Calloway Ridge

Terrain: Natural Surface Trail, Paved
Features: Views of Fort Loudon Lake, bathrooms
Mileage: 5 miles

This run along the shores of Fort Loudon Lake in West Knoxville is in a convenient location for a quick and mostly flat run. Starting at The Cove at Concord Park, take the Concord Loop from the west end of the parking lot and loop The Cove before connecting to Concord Greenway. The paved greenway will take you one mile to Calloway Ridge, where 1.8 miles of natural surface trail will loop around the island. Add more distance by crossing under the bridge and finishing Concord Greenway to the roundabout, then turn around and head back to The Cove.

Park at 11808 S. Northshore Drive.

4. IC King Park

Terrain: Natural surface trail
Features: Trails along the lake, tough climbs
Mileage: 8 miles

You will find a challenging network of trails great for trail runners at IC King Park. This passive park in South Knoxville is centered around a small lake and features significant elevation changes, making it a great spot to work on your endurance. The Lower Lake Loop offers calmer shoreline runs along the lake, and higher elevation trails like Kimble’s Ladder and Everest offer a more technical experience.

2625 Maryville Pike is a quieter entrance than 3440 Alcoa Highway entrance.

5. Downtown Greenway Run (Neyland Greenway/Second Creek Greenway)

Terrain: Paved
Features: River views, urban exploration, downtown parks, and landmarks
Mileage: 6-8 miles, many options to extend route

A list of Knoxville runs wouldn't be complete without a tour along the city's downtown greenways and city streets. Starting at Volunteer Landing, you can run west along the waterfront on Neyland Greenway, take the Second Creek Greenway up to World’s Fair Park, take Clinch Avenue to Market Square, and run across the Gay Street Bridge to see the Tennessee River from above for a 6 mile out-and-back trip. Keep running down Sevier Avenue to Suttree Landing Park and add 2 extra miles.

Park at 900 Volunteer Landing Lane