Biking Routes
1. Townsend Bicycle Trail
Photos by Mary Grace McCaffery
Location: Runs parallel to Hwy. US 321 in Townsend, with road signs denoting beginning and end: Townsend Visitors Center on trail
Length: Approximately 9 miles with 3 underpasses.
Type Road: Good paved trail, short hills
Features: Scenic beauty of area; portion runs along river; provides access to restaurants, shops, motels
Access: Parking available at both ends of bike trail located on US 321 in Townsend
2. Cades Cove Loop Road
Location: Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Length: 11 mile loop
Type Road: Paved
Features: Cabins, churches, mill, mountain streams, panoramic vistas
Access: From Visitor Center in Townsend right 2.9 miles on Hwy. 73 to "Y" intersection in Park; right 7 miles to Cades Cove; left to 11 mile loop; parking available at Cades Cove Store
3. Clover Hill Caper
Location: W. Blount County
Length: 18.5 miles
Type Road: Good paved roads, long ridges, some hills
Features: Panoramic mountain views, scenic farmland, historic home and home site, historic operating mill, unique bridge
Access: 7.7 miles from Blount County Chamber of Commerce, 201 S. Washington Street, Maryville. Left on Washington Street from Chamber exit; left on Broadway; right on Lamar Alexander Parkway, pass junction with US 129; left on Foothills Mall Road; right on Morgantown Road, 5.2 miles to start of bikeway
4. Louisville Lap
Location: NW Blount County
Length: 16 miles or shorter route 6.5 miles
Type Road: Good paved surface, some hills
Features: Historic community of Louisville, scenic farmland, Fort Loudoun Lake, exotic animal farm, panoramic views, picnic and recreational areas
Access: 8.5 miles from Blount County Chamber of Commerce, 201 S. Washington Street, Maryville. Right from Chamber, Church Street parking lot exit; right on US 411 South under viaduct to Harper Avenue; left on Harper to Cusick; right on Cusick past Midland Plaza and across By-Pass, continuing on Louisville Road to Louisville. (Before start of bike route, turn right on to Louisville Main Street, driving through to see old homes , now cut off from rest of old Louisville by waters of Fort Loudon Lake)
5. Ellejoy Jaunt
Location: NE Blount County
Length: 20.5 miles - or shorter route 10.5 miles
Type Road: Good paved surface, some hills
Features: Scenic farmland, panoramic mountain views, mountain stream, historic site
Access: 6 miles from Blount County Chamber of Commerce, 201 S. Washington Street, Maryville. From Church Street parking lot exit, turn left on Church Street; turn right on Washington (US 321 North); continue on Lamar Alexander Parkway 5 miles; left on Tuckaleechee Pike 1.7 miles to Coulter Bridge; begin trail by turning left on Ellejoy Road
6. Little River Run
Location: East Blount County
Length: 11 miles one way
Type Road: Good Paved surface, mostly easy grade
Features: Parallels mountain stream, wildflowers in spring
Access: 6.5 miles from Blount County Chamber of Commerce, 201 S. Washington Street, Maryville. From Church Street parking lot exit, turn left on Church Street; right on Washington (US 321 North); continue on Lamar Alexander Parkway 5 miles; left on Tuckaleechee Pike 1.7 miles to Coulter Bridge; begin trail by turning right on Old Walland Highway
7. Maryville - Alcoa Trails
Length: 9 miles one way
Type Road: Paved roads
Features: Springbrook Park, located in Alcoa, has a circular trail of 1.5 miles that features a pond, memorial trees, wildflowers, picnic tables and a playground and the Alcoa/Springbrook Swimming Pool. Parking and restrooms are provided next to a recreation building and pavilion and tennis courts, on Dalton Street.
The Greenway starts near the swimming pool, passes Alcoa Elementary School and Alcoa High School, crosses Springbrook Road near Edison Street and continues beside Pistol Creek to Maryville. The Greenway joins the Bicentennial Greenbelt Park trail at the parking lot across from the Blount County Library. A circular trail of 2.5 miles features a lake and dam, fitness stations, a picnic pavilion and restrooms. There is access from the Chamber of Commerce parking lot in Maryville by turning right onto the sidewalk at the Church Street exit and taking the steps down to the trail.
The Greenway continues from Bicentennial Park, starting across Lamar Alexander Parkway from behind the Blount County Courthouse. The Greenway follows Pistol Creek, passing near Sam Houston Elementary School and Maryville Middle School to Sandy Springs Park.
Sandy Springs Park features trails, tennis and basketball courts, softball fields, playground, restrooms and picnic tables. The Greenway starts again across from the Best Street parking lot, in Sandy Springs Park, continuing beside Pistol Creek and turning to follow Montgomery Lane to Mize Lane and Foothills Elementary School.
