Melton Lake Greenway - Oak Ridge, Tennessee

The Melton Lake Greenway is a 5.6 mile multi-purpose trail for walking, jogging, bicycling and skating.  Pets are welcome.  We planned to bike the entire greenway on our visit in mid-April, 2013, but the northern section was too crowded due to a rowing competition on the lake.  We started at the Union Valley Road parking area at mile 2.25 and biked to the west entrance to Haw Ridge Park at mile 5.6 and back to Union Valley Road for a total of 6.7 miles.  As the entire route is either asphalt, concrete or wooden boardwalk, road bikes would be preferred.  However, our hybrid bikes were up to the task.  The initial section south of the parking lot climbs on an 8% grade and is posted as very steep and not suitable for wheelchairs.  The section from mile 4 to mile 5 also climbs, but at a much more reasonable 2% grade.

Gravel Union Valley Road parking area

Geese near the parking area

Initial steep climb south of the Union Valley parking area

View from the bench at the top of the hill

The trail returns to the Clinch River

The southern lakeside section of the greenway is concrete

A boardwalk crosses the inlet at Bethel Valley

From the lakeside at Bethel Valley, the trail turns westward and climbs inland across the north side of Haw Ridge to return to the lake at the parking area for the west entrance to Haw Ridge Park.

Melton Hill reservoir from Haw Ridge parking area

The return journey provided a few additional vantage points of the greenway.

Much of the Haw Ridge section is shaded

The only intersection is with Old Edgemoor Road in Haw Ridge Park

Following the power lines to Bull Run power plant

The trail turns north across the river from Bull Run Ridge

Looking north toward the Edgemoor Road bridge

After climbing the first hill, a long descent awaits before the second hill climb

The Oak Ridge greenway website is http://www.oakridgetn.gov/content/VISITORS/Greenways.