Kingsport, TN's Greenbelt

The greenbelt runs roughly parallel to Stone Drive in Kingsport and is a multi use trail for walkers, bikers and runners.  

Pros:  The greenbelt is almost entirely paved and has multiple access points from end to end. It is listed as eight miles long making the Stonebrook Place parking area roughly the halfway point while the parking lot behind Pet Smart is the most popular access. Because of the length and the geography it is easier to think of it as west end, center and east end. The east has the only real challenging climb which is also the only unpaved section. The center section is mainly flat but somewhat winding while the west end is fairly flat with a few small climbs and straight. It is handicap accessible, has some scenic areas and there are several benches along the way. Perhaps

the best thing about the greenbelt is that you can access several neighborhoods along the trail which allows for infinite variety. There are even some water fountains and portable toilets.

Cons: The biggest drawback to the greenbelt is the poor drainage on much of it. When it rains or snows several places become muddy and difficult to pass through and sometimes stays that way for several days. The Pet Smart access is also a popular duck and goose feeding area so they tend to run towards you thinking you have food. After passing Holston Valley Medical Center heading west there is a section that follows the roads and it is not marked well making it hard to find the path as it leaves the roads again if you do not know the way. There is another part on the western end where the greenbelt ends abruptly at a parking lot and is found on a back street on the other side. This makes the Netherland Inn section seem like it’s a short section that is not really part of the whole belt and the area between there and Holston Valley is largely unused because few know it exist.