Locals love to tout Memphis ’ gritstone as part of its charm . And sure , the metropolis is a picayune unsmooth around the bound with graffito and blight . But Memphis is also known for its telling tree canopy , its gorgeous views of the Mississippi and Wolf Rivers , and its wooded , hilly river bluffs . Take a run on one of these paths for a prime survey of the Bluff City ’s straight allurement .
V&E Greenline
This 1.7 - land mile gravel itinerary move through the Vollintine Evergreen neighborhood along an abandoned rails track . The road takes blue runner ( and the occasional cyclist , although the rough terrain is n’t good for street cycle and cruiser ) behind historic homes and over two bridgework crossings at Lick Creek . Along the route , a expectant , voluntary - maintained flower garden and plenty of public art ( Pisces the Fishes sculptures , large cartoon - same hoi polloi with planters on their heads , a melodic bench ) aid take runners ’ minds off function out . Portions of the trail are completely cross by a canopy of trees , offer a respite from Memphis ’ singe summer heat . Bonus : there ’s a working weewee jet near the midway breaker point .
Shelby Farms Greenline
The city ’s largest and most successful railing - to - trail project , the Shelby Farms Greenline carry 6.5 miles from Midtown Memphis to the 4,500 - acre Shelby Farms Park . It ’s a paved trail , so runner deal the path with cyclists , many of whom zipper by at high rates of speed . If you wear headphones , keep the volume low and be aware of your surroundings . The west end of the track runs through neighborhood , giving Greenline drug user a sneak peek into backyards . Further east , the path leads to a retentive wooden bridge circuit overlook the Wolf River and a wooded domain pop with ATV riders . Pro bakshis : if you get a little peckish near the westerly end , Cheffie ’s Cafe – a occasional , build - your - own salad and sandwich shop – is site near the High Point Terrace cross on the western final stage of the trail .
Old Forest at Overton Park
geezerhood ago , the paved route that circles Overton Park ’s Old Forest – 172 acres of old - growth timber that ’s list on the National Register of Historic Places – was closed to vehicular traffic . These sidereal day , the only traffic the all-inclusive route gets is from runners , walkers , and cyclists . Since it was design for two - lane traffic , the itinerary extend plenty of room to spread out , intend smuggler do n’t have to vex about being rolled over by cyclists . The paved route takes user in a circle around the woodland – past the Memphis Zoo , the East Parkway pavilion and resort area , and more primitive running trails through the wood . If you run through those track too soon enough in the morning , you might catch a glimpse of snake , foxes , or even the infamous Midtown brush wolf .
Wolf River Greenway
Currently , this 10ft - by-12 ft paved walker & cycling trail work 2.6 miles along the Wolf River from Walnut Grove Rd to the starting time of the Germantown Greenway . But the Wolf River Conservancy has plan to extend the trail 36 mile over the next several years , following the path of the river from Collierville to the northern end of Mud Island , where it flow into the Mississippi . The existing stretch of the greenway features lush trees , great view of the muddied Wolf , and plenty of wildlife . The Wolf River Greenway merge seamlessly into the Germantown Greenway , so those out for a tenacious ravel have pile of pathway .
Germantown Greenway
This 11 - land mile paved path nibble up where the Wolf River Greenway stop , taking runners and cyclists through a wooded portion of suburban Germantown . It runs through several parks – Neshoba , Johnson Road , and Houston Levee – and links domain school and neighborhood . Runners can pause for a short breather at Turtle Bayou , a rustic boardwalk over the Wolf River where lead users can watch turtles sunning themselves on fallen log . Eventually , the metropolis of Germantown plans to expand this greenway to 22 geographical mile .
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
This monumental state park in northern Shelby County sport 20 mile of single - racetrack and crushed rock road that make for heavy running paths , and the forest is dotted with dirt trails offering a cloistered lam . Most of Memphis is located on very flat land , but the arena around Meeman - Shelby is located on the third Chickasaw Bluff ( one of four bluffs in West Tennessee ) , so the terrain throughout the park varies in height . That mean there ’s no excuse to avoid hill practice , no matter how badly you ’d prefer to skim it .
Stanky Creek
With a name like Stanky Creek , this nine - mile lead in Bartlett might dissuade you from lumber your miles . But the only matter smelly at Stanky Creek is likely some dog dirt left behind by some rude hiker . The area , located in Bartlett ’s Nesbit Park , features three disjoined track closed circuit totaling 10 miles . Much of the terrain is made up of a roller - coaster of hills , making the area a favorite for local mountain bikers and hikers . But it ’s also perfect for amaze in that dreaded hill practice .
Riverbluff Walkway
This short running / walking way of life runs along the fourth Chickasaw Bluff through Downtown ’s South End , and offer wholesale views of the Mississippi River and a peep at some of Downtown ’s finest homes . The way of life feed past several metropolis parks , and those seem for a longer route can take stairs or a nation bridge over engaged Riverside Dr into Tom Lee Park , the metropolis ’s riverfront park . Tom Lee sport a couple naut mi of pavement that bleed along the river ’s edge , as well as public toilet facility and the Riverfront Bar & Grill , where runners can block off in for a post - run beer and meal . Bonus : the unconscionable stairway connecting Butler Park to Tom Lee Park tender a great “ sports stadium stair”-style exercising .
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The Greenline|Shelby Farms Greenline
Flickr/knots
Flickr/Memphis CVB (edited)
Thomas R Machnitzki/Wikimedia
Flickr/Troy Cawley
Tom Lee Park|Thomas R Machnitzki/Wikimedia
