Find the top rated walking trails in Kingsport, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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.
Rode from Hiltons Va on the Hiltons Highway to the Mendota Trail, very scenic Valley, rolling hills with limited traffic. Highly recommend.
I rode about 5 miles (out and back) on the Mendota Trail. The trail was way too bumpy for a Trek hybrid with no shocks. Would recommend the Trail but you definitely need a bike with shocks.
Beautiful scenery, great hangout spots along the river, mostly downhill.
Rode an out and back from Damascus to ABD Trailhead. Trail was in great shape except for a large oak tree blocking the entire trail at approx the 6.75 mile point from ABD. A challenging social path has formed on the river side of the trail. The smart move is to just turn around and ride back the way you came. We weren’t that wise today so we bushwhacked around the tree and did our out and back. The trail surface was in great shape and obvious trail maintenance is keeping the “Creeper Trail” at its “creepy” best. At least the stretch we rode today.
Wonderful trail that still isn’t super crowded yet like the Virginia Creeper trail is. Nice trailhead in Bristol with plenty of parking. The Mendota trailhead is an open field so parking is not a problem. We like to ride from Mendota to Bristol to get the climbing over first. It is a drive to Mendota from the interstate but it is a pretty drive. Well worth the trip. You won’t regret it
I am training for the Virginia Creeper Marathon https://www.creepermarathon.org/ on 4/7/24 and love this section of the trail. It is through woods and farmland, along a river, and over more than a dozen trestles. There are good parking and restroom facilities along this route. Looking forward to the marathon!
But going through Elizabethton is noisy next to the main thoroughfare. The trail is well maintained over the full 10 miles. If you go and the Johnson City Trailhead lot is full, there is a second parking lot a 1/4 mile away on the other side of Legion Street.
I went to the trail after having rain and before the trail was dry. Unfortunately, some sections had been flooded and, although there was no standing water, the mud on the trail was slick making it dangerous. This was around mile marker 3. Also, there is a section on the Cleek Road extension that looks like drainage is an ongoing problem. Some parts make me nervous in the downtown area. It looks like there is a homeless problem with deterrents on the park benches. The trail has the potential to be very nice, but not until some issues are dealt with.
Went from Benhams to Mendota to Bristol, then back to Benhams. The section from Benhams to Mendota is my favorite. It is down the gorge with the stream right near the trail. The section from Benhams to Bristol is more populated with farms and houses. I didn’t have any problems with dogs. The trail was muddy in spots. The trail was pretty empty. There were four cyclists and one walker. It may have been the weather: sleet, light rain, and windy. I really enjoyed it and will go back.
I have biked and hiked this entire trail. Very scenic and much to see. Can be VERY busy during the weekends.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!