Memphis walking and biking trails with distances and access points: the 12.94-mile Shelby Farms Greenline, Wolf River Greenway, Big River Crossing and Old Forest.

Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. Distances, access points and hours come from Shelby Farms Park, the Wolf River Conservancy, Big River Crossing, Memphis River Parks and the Overton Park Conservancy. Our parks and trails guide covers the parks themselves.

Memphis has three long trail systems: the Shelby Farms Greenline, a paved rail trail from Midtown to Cordova; the Wolf River Greenway, built in sections along the Wolf River; and the riverfront, where the River Line links the downtown parks and Big River Crossing carries walkers and cyclists over the Mississippi to Arkansas. For a city question, call Memphis 311, 901-636-6500.

At a glance

  • Longest paved trail: Shelby Farms Greenline, 12.94 miles
  • Most miles in one place: Shelby Farms Park, 40-plus miles
  • Over the river: Big River Crossing, nearly a mile, open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Dogs: leash in hand on Shelby Farms trails and the Greenline; see dog-friendly Memphis

Shelby Farms Greenline

The Shelby Farms Greenline is a 12.94-mile paved, urban trail on a former railroad line. It runs from Tillman Street at Walnut Grove Road in Midtown through Shelby Farms Park to B Street at Macon Road in Cordova.

Access points: Tillman Street, Highland Street, High Point Terrace, Graham Street, Waring Road, Podesta Street, Sycamore View, Farm Road at Mullins Station Road, Whitten Road, Appling Road, Raleigh LaGrange Road, Germantown Parkway, Cully Road and A Street. Bikes can be rented at the Hyde Lake Wheel House in the park, and the park has bike repair stations.

Shelby Farms Park trails

Shelby Farms Park has more than 40 miles of trails, multi-use unless marked. The park is open from sunrise to sunset.

Trail Distance Surface Notes
Baptist Memorial Health Care Promenade 2.34-mile walking loop; 2.45-mile bike loop Paved Around the lake in the Heart of the Park; walkers and cyclists separated
Chickasaw Trail 2.75 miles Paved Pine and hardwood forest, three lakes, the Woodland Discovery Playground
South Trail 4.1 miles Paved Along the south side of Walnut Grove Road to the Germantown trailhead
Dunavant Trail 3.6 miles Paved From the Wolf River bridge past Hyde Lake to the Greenline
Tour de Wolf 6 miles Unpaved Loop in the northeast; hiking, running, mountain biking
Wolf River Trails: White, Blue, Yellow 1.9, 3.6 and 3.5 miles Unpaved South of Walnut Grove Road through the Lucius Burch Jr. State Natural Area

Wolf River Greenway

The Wolf River Greenway is a 12-foot-wide paved path for walkers and cyclists along the Wolf River, built in phases and planned to reach 26 miles. Sections open now, per the Wolf River Conservancy:

  • Mud Island: a 1.2-mile loop on the old Wolf River levee; opened October 2017; trailhead parking lot.
  • Hollywood section and McLean Cycle Track: 3.3 miles on a levee through the Hyde Park neighborhood, connecting to Rodney Baber Park.
  • Kennedy Park: 1.5 miles of trails through mature forest along the river, with six bridges; opened 2018.
  • Epping Way: 1.2 miles of walking trails and two bridges around a 20-acre lake, on 138 acres the conservancy owns.
  • Wolf Crossing: at mile 14, a 270-foot cable-stayed bridge over the river and a raised boardwalk through the Lucius Burch State Natural Area. The Shady Grove Trailhead is at 6324 Humphreys Blvd., with a parking lot.

The riverfront and Big River Crossing

  • River Line: a five-mile walking and biking trail that connects all of Memphis River Parks’ riverfront parks, opened in 2018. Tom Lee Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset (Memphis River Parks).
  • Big River Crossing: nearly a mile long, the longest public pedestrian and cyclist bridge across the Mississippi, with views of the skyline and the Arkansas floodplain. Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. It links Main Street in Memphis to Main Street in West Memphis, Arkansas, on a 10-mile corridor that includes the Big River Trail System.

Overton Park and the Old Forest

Overton Park in Midtown has more than 8 miles of trails. Its Old Forest covers 142 acres, and 126 acres have been a protected Tennessee State Natural Area since June 2011. The Old Forest loop has 35 interpretive markers, with a downloadable map.

What this means for you

  • For a long ride, start the Greenline at Tillman Street and ride east into Shelby Farms.
  • For a short walk with a view, cross Big River Crossing; it is open until 10 p.m.
  • For shade in summer, the Old Forest and Kennedy Park are wooded.

Related: parks and trails, dog-friendly Memphis and free things to do.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Shelby Farms Greenline?

12.94 miles of paved trail, from Tillman Street at Walnut Grove Road in Midtown, through Shelby Farms Park, to B Street at Macon Road in Cordova.

What are the Big River Crossing hours?

Big River Crossing is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. At nearly a mile long, it is the longest public pedestrian and bike bridge across the Mississippi.

How long will the Wolf River Greenway be?

The Wolf River Conservancy says the 12-foot-wide paved greenway is being built in phases and will eventually run 26 miles.

How many miles of trails are in Shelby Farms Park?

More than 40 miles, paved and unpaved, mostly multi-use for walkers and cyclists. Dogs must be on a leash, leash in hand, on all park trails.

Where is the Old Forest trail in Memphis?

In Overton Park in Midtown. The Old Forest covers 142 acres, 126 of them protected as a Tennessee State Natural Area since 2011, and its loop has 35 interpretive markers.