Explore the best rated trails in Johnson City, TN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Guest River Gorge Trail and Railroad Grade Road . With more than 22 trails covering 128 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Very nice trail that is well maintained. Expect to see lots of other trail users as this is heavily used. Be aware that due to the type of gravel used your bicycle will get very dusty but don’t let that stop you from enjoying this ride
While not much traffic exists on this road, the cars that drive down drive quite fast and I feel this isn't the best place to send people for a walk. If there were a sidewalk going along this road, I think this would be a wonderful and lovely place to recreate.
Mendota trail weaves with the water and a local gravel road starting from Mendota. Trail Signage was great and will guide you! Water access at varying points as was useful for my Australian Shepherd to cool down. Multiple benches and picnic tables available. Great trail!
I live just down the mountain from the Railroad Grade Road and have ridden it for many years. Here’s the good and the bad. The good: 1) The road winds along the banks of the scenic South Fork of the New River, flanked by tall peaks and wildflowers. It’s simply gorgeous in spots. 2) Historic Todd is a quaint village with a creekside park, bakery, summer concerts and bike repair station. 3) The road is virtually pancake flat, a rarity in the mountains. The bad: 1) This is a rail-to-road, not a rail-to-trail, so recreational users must share the narrow roadway with motorists. The road is usually sparsely traveled, but it’s busier on summer weekends, the very time many cyclists and runners take to the road. 2) Amenities are lacking. As other reviewers have noted, it can be hard to figure out where to park, and there and no public bathrooms along the road except for a port-a-jon at Todd Island Park. 3) Land use restrictions are virtually nonexistent, so vacation homes and travel trailers are popping up along the riverbank, increasing traffic and marring the views in spots.
Beautiful greenway. Lightly traveled. We did up first then down on our bikes.
I love being outside and the sound of the river and the trees are wonderful. Being paved, it is comfortable to be on even after it had rained as opposed to a muddy trail, so I really liked that. There is plenty of parking with overflow parking across the street.
This was our first time on this trail. It is a very beautiful trail, but NOT an easy hike. Lots of overgrowth from plants, lots of rocks and obstacles to climb / navigate. Just be aware if you do it
Front start to finish and back is 20 miles. You will see homeless people but they will not bother you at all. In the summer months parts of the trail can flood if we get a lot of rain. But you have get some really good shaded areas to cool off and there is also so up hill areas but not bad at all. Good trail to get some exercise!
I would highly suggest unless you are an avid cyclist, to start on the Mendota side. From Mendota toward Bristol is about an 8 to 10 mile gradual climb. If you get the climb out of the way you can enjoy a very nice beautiful ride back into Mendota with a little effort. It’s a very scenic trail and shaded 90% of the time. I’ll ride a lot of rail trails, other than the steep climb, that which is a great workout, this trail is among the best.
We rode from Mendota to about mile marker 4 and back on July 4th. Thoroughly enjoyed the trail! Beautiful beginning from Mendota but the surface was rough for about the first mile. Better after that. Beautiful the whole way. I felt like I had stepped back in time. I wish I had worn my swimsuit to swim in the river. Nice swinging bridge at the beginning too. Highly recommend.
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