Tweetsie Trail

The Tweetsie Trail is an 11-mile rail-trail running from Johnson City east to Elizabethton along the abandoned bed of the old East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad. It is mostly flat, paved, and shaded — a very manageable ride for cyclists of all abilities, and popular with walkers, joggers, and families with children.

The trail passes through farmland and small communities, crossing Doe Creek several times and offering pleasant views of the surrounding hills. At the Elizabethton end, the covered bridge over the Doe River — a local landmark — is worth a short detour. The total out-and-back ride from Johnson City takes about two hours at a comfortable pace.

Bike rentals are available in Johnson City. The trailhead on the Johnson City end is on West Oakland Avenue, easily reached from the city centre.

things to do sight
A story
The trail is named for the old East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad — nicknamed "Tweetsie" for the high-pitched whistle of its narrow-gauge steam engines. The railroad ran through these mountains from 1882 until a catastrophic flood in 1940 washed out most of the tracks. The trail now follows the same route, and the railbed's level grade makes it one of the more user-friendly cycling routes in the mountains.