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William Hastie Natural Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 174 Google reviews · Running trail in Knoxville, Tennessee · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from William Hastie Natural Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Recreational area for walking, running, and mountain biking with trails and picnic tables.
What runners say about William Hastie Natural Area
“Well maintained nature and trail area that give you the away from the city feel while not being too far away from Downtown Knoxville.”
“Many miles of awesome trails weave through the woods with great views in the winter and a dense get away in the summer.”
“Pros: Some of the best trail running, biking, and hiking trails in Knoxville.”
“Blend of easy walk on gravel trail and harder hill climbs.”
Had a lovely lunch time hiking here but would definitely recommend installing AllTrails or snapping a shot of the map at the entrance so you don’t get too turned around inside. This path is shared with bikers so keep an ear out. Lovely trail to visit in the fall and parking is easy to find too!
This relatively-unknown trail system is part of the South Knox Urban Wilderness, and is a great way to spend an hour or two hiking. At times the number of mountain bikes can be a little excessive, but overall this is a fun place to bring the family for a quick, easily-accessible hike in the hills.
Very nice place well maintained. Stopped here that i found on maps. Wanted to see and go for a lite hike
Pros: Some of the best trail running, biking, and hiking trails in Knoxville. Many miles of awesome trails weave through the woods with great views in the winter and a dense get away in the summer. There is also a healthy population of deer, turkeys, owls, and wild flowers. The pond is nice as well.
Trail conditions & character
“Lovely trail to visit in the fall and parking is easy to find too!”
“At times the number of mountain bikes can be a little excessive, but overall this is a fun place to bring the family for a quick, easily-accessible hike in the hills.”
“It's used a LOT for biking, but one path is straight and gravel, then two other paths zig zag thru the woods, and by a pond, a sinkhole, etc.”
“If it has rained recently, be sure you have the proper shoes and gear for muddy and slippery conditions.”
“They stretch for miles if you want to go that far, but they loop around at intervals as well for short walks.”
“Many miles of awesome trails weave through the woods with great views in the winter and a dense get away in the summer.”
“Margaret Road cuts through the middle and is mostly flat.”
“Parking area is not too big and there is no restrooms in this one.”
“At times the number of mountain bikes can be a little excessive, but overall this is a fun place to bring the family for a quick, easily-accessible hike in the hills.”
Plan your run at William Hastie Natural Area
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteknoxvilletn.gov
- Phone(865) 215-4311
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–6 PM |
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