Like many Memphians, I love biking the Greenline. But sometimes, I yearn for curves and water views. That's when I take the Wolf River Greenway. I like to start on the dirt trails that wind through the woods along the Wolf River, south of Walnut Grove Road. I park under the overpass there and pedal off into the cool, dappled stillness of the forest.
As you parallel the river, you'll glimpse the new bridge that spans the Wolf River. Soon, the dirt path meets pavement; and a right turn takes you across the bridge to the Wolf River Greenway terminus. Riding on both the paved and unpaved trails is relatively easy, and provides a fun adventure for even young riders.
Here at the Humpreys Center Trail Head, you have several choices. The 1.5 mile trail circles West Lake. If you head east and recross the bridge, you'll soon arrive at the entrance to Shelby Farms at Walnut Grove and Farm Road. From there, you can connect with the Greenline.
A new section of the Wolf River Greenway was completed late June, and now links the Humphreys Center trailhead with the Wolf River Nature Area that parallels Wolf River Boulevard. If you ride the paved trail that travels alongside the river, you can go 2.5 miles to Nashoba Park. I reviewed the nature area here; it's a beautiful, shady park and a great place for children to learn about the wildlife that lives on the land and in the waters of West Tennessee.
LET'S GO!
From Walnut Grove — Turn right onto Humphreys Boulevard. The Greenway entrance is on your left just past Baptist Hospital. There is a small parking lot and trail map.
From Shelby Farms Main Entrance: Follow the bike trail across Walnut Grove to Farm Road. There is a small parking lot here, but no signs. You'll pass a lake on the left and an old landfill on your right before entering the forest. It is approximately 1 mile to the bridge. The Greenway starts on the other side of the river. • To learn more about bike trails at Shelby Farms, the Mid-South Trails group has maps that show the various trail routes.
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