Trail 9: William Hastie
Overview
You’ll be surrounded by trees galore at William Hastie! The start features a beginner’s mountain bike loop on a smooth path. Though short, this hike takes you by many spur trails; consider this a gentle introduction to a trail system close to but more rustic than Ijams. Good for all toddling and walking kids and their families.
Key Characteristics
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Time Estimate | 0.5 hours - 1 hour |
| Trail Distance (Miles) | 1.3 |
| Elevation Change | Flat |
| Pets | Allowed on leash |
| Parking Pass/Entrance Fee | Not Required |
| Restroom(s) | No |
| Best Ages | Toddlera nd little kids |
| Strollers and Wheelchairs | Partially accessible (graded gravel path) |
Directions to the Trailhead
Trailhead Address: William Hastie Natural Area, 1302 Margaret Rd, Knoxville, TN 37920
Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 35.93464, -83.87455
Think of the Eastern Box Turtle as a tiny explorer. These reptiles (animals whose body temperature that changes with its surroundings) are not necessarily found only near water. Instead, they move slowly across the forest floor searching for berries, mushrooms, and insects, making them easy to observe from a respectful distance. They’re smaller in size than other turtles, with shells around 6” or fewer in length; the Snapping Turtle has a far larger shell.
The above address will direct you to a large, rarely-busy parking lot and a nice trailhead with a picnic area. Several trails start from this trailhead. Look for a sign for the Margaret Road Trail.
Trail Description
| Distance from Start | Description |
|---|---|
| 0.0 | Start on the Margaret Road Trail. |
| 0.2 | Small pond on the right. Look for turtles! |
| 0.25 | Shadow Run Trail on the right. |
| 0.65 | Reach the Post Oak Ln. Trailhead and turn around. |
| 1.30 | Traihead. |
Nearby
- Bring bike and enjoy the kids’ loop. The “green” mountain biking trail, Springarn, is a great spot for kids to begin to learn to ride on trails. It’s only 0.6 miles and is a nice complement to this hike.
- Explore some of the many other trails while you’re there. William Hastie Natural Area features many other trails of varying difficulty. Consider taking Mitchie’s Way from near the parking area—and then looping back to Margaret Road and the start on the trail of your choice.