Find the top rated running trails in Duffield, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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My friends and I meet at Lions Field in Elizabethton and take a vehicle to the trailhead in Johnson City where we start our 4 miler. The trail is wide enough for runners, bikers and walkers to navigate past each other safely and easily. The trail is chat/gravel and from the JC trailhead, mostly a gentle downgrade. This portion of the trail is scenic; woods, countryside, stream. The last 6 miles of the trail traverse Elizabethton and are mostly urban. The trail is heavily used, especially on weekends, from dawn to dusk. We do this run weekly and it’s one of my favorite trails.
Very nice trail for my wife on her disability scooter and me on my e bike.
We rode from Damascus to the end of the trail in Abingdon. The weather was sunny and mild, temps were in the high 60’s. Trail conditions were excellent. Traffic on the Creeper was brisk, even on Friday during the school year. This ride completed our previous ride from Damascus to White Top back in 2022. Maybe someday we will be able to ride the east end, a lot of work needs to be done to put the trail back together following Hurricane Helene. Be sure to visit the local stores in Damascus: Damascus Outfitters, Damascus Brewery, Appalachian Heritage Distillery, the Damascus Diner, Damascus Pizza, etc.
We rode the trail from Elizabethton starting in the late morning heading west. Road crossings in Elizabethton were a bit challenging, besides the fact that there are quite a few in a short distance, they come at sharp angles. Have your flashers on and watch the traffic carefully. The remainder of the trail to Johnson City was very nice. I look forward to riding the trail again in the future.
We rode the full length of this trail and really enjoyed it. There is lots of shade through the woods. Signage was great and the views were wonderful. We got off our bikes and spent some time on the suspension bridge, so cool! The path is mostly crushed stone but there is a short stretch next to a hilly road where the rock used was rather large and we decided to just ride the road instead. Overall, a great ride!
Did the Mendota to Benhams leg today 13 miles Traveled from Natural Tunnel State Park, and the ride over in the country was great all by itself. Beautiful countryside. The shade and scenery running alongside the creek was absolutely amazing! The signs were informative along the way and those stone benches!! Now that’s a lasting legacy! This route had us going uphill slightly to Benham’s and the ride down was just a coast! Loved it…..I put it up there with the Creeper trail for beauty. You can see all the work that’s been put into it along the way with the erosion controls and borders. Well done VA!
Dropped in at Gibson station and tried to ride towards Cumberland gap. It was a no go very quickly because the trail is no longer maintained by the national park.........Budget cuts! We were riding on overgrown grasses/weeds which is no fun at all! Turned around and rode towards Wilderness Road State Park. Lovely ride in the shade with just a few spots that were wet from the heavy rains from the last few days. August 14 was hot and humid with some mosquitoes along the trail! Did a few loops in Wilderness Rd., State Park where they were having some actual reenactments back in the fort! All in all lovely country views. The buffalo were in the corner right next to the trail...sat at the picnic table and watched them chew! There was a new calf! eat all get
The Mendota Trail is a lovely extension of Rails-to-Trails! The original track route was built to haul coal. Today this trail provides scenic views from 17 trestles in 12.5 miles! The swinging bridge is my favorite part, but there is a parallel path that goes over a solid trestle for those who want something solid under their feet. My brother (a retired physician), bought several properties to secure the right-of-way for the trail. When some sections were contested, he stuck with it.
I started in Mendota based on other’s recommendations. It was a gorgeous scenic ride thru the forest along the river and 18 bridge crossings. Highly recommend this trail!
Per mile this is the most beautiful trail we have ever been on, and we have been on quite a few. The scenery is just gorgeous. You will want to go slow and watch the overhead cliffs on one side and listen to the rushing river on the other. Going slow is fine because the surface is not that great. You will be on the brakes on the way down and in low gear on the way back. Go in the early spring so you can see all the scenery and the river is rushing.
My wife and I just completed this trail out and back. Based on recommendations, we started in Mendota and worked our way to Bristol. I’m glad we took the advice. Coming back from Bristol was a breeze as the trail was mostly downhill. The trail was well maintained with only a short section near Bristol being slightly rough because of the larger gravel that was used. Other than that, our bikes with gravel tires handled the trail well. This is one of the best trails we’ve ridden. We highly recommend it!
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