A couple of weekend ago, Emily and I got a late start on Saturday morning. And there are times when South Knoxville feels far far away. Plus walking in the Urban Wilderness can take you deep into the woods, with no quick way to get back into civilization. In short, sometimes you want a walk, not a hike.
So we opted to head to West Hills and the Jean Teague Greenway, a walk that I imagine almost all West Knoxvillians are familiar with.
We were sneaky and parked at the church at the west end of the greenway instead of in the YMCA parking lot. Unless it’s Sunday, no one is parked there! The first part of this walk runs behind a neighborhood, and I always think how nice it would be to live in a house with a greenway in the backyard! This part has wildflowers and ornamental trees that have been planted there just to decorate the greenway.
Walk a little farther and you will cross a street and enter West Hills Park. This part of the greenway has a loop, so you could increase the length of your walk if you want by looping as many times as you like! The right hand loop is shaded with trees.
Midway around the loop you take an extension that goes past West Hills Elementary and, if it’s a school day, a playground full of staring children. This part ends at Vanosdale Road. You can then turn around and come back and take the other side of the loop, which is more open and goes past some playground areas.
The playgrounds are nice if you’ve brought kids along. You can leave them there while you walk the loop if you aren’t afraid of the other parents who may call DCS on you if you dare to let your children swing at a well-populated park outside of your direct supervision.
This is a crowded park, with lots of people walking dogs, strolling babies, and having birthday parties.
It’s not a wilderness hike, but it’s a nice, reliable place to exercise when you are short on time but would rather enjoy the fall weather than run on a treadmill!
For more West Knoxville walks, see below:
Walking in West Knoxville
A May Stroll You Must Take
Short West Knoxville Walks
Walking in West Knoxville: The Jean Teague Greenway
Trackbacks/Pingbacks