Spring at Murphy River Walk

 

Luc

Luc is my ten year old (very soon to be 11) Jack Russell Terrier. I'm spending this week with just him up in the Murphy, North Carolina area as part of a quiet getaway. With the various walks planned over the next few days, I figured now is as good a time as any to start documenting our journey. And what better place to start than with the Murphy River Walk?

Gravel and boardwalk paths on the Murphy River Walk

Stretching for miles along the Valley River, the River Walk varies between gravel paths, asphalt, and boardwalks. It is beautiful in any season, but today it was stunning with vibrant and endless shades of fresh green, bright flowers, crisp cool air, and the peaceful sights and sounds of the river flowing alongside.



Luc and I typically limit our walks to around 30 minutes to an hour. The River Walk has many different segments and stop/start points so we can mix it up, but today we walked the portion we do most often. We parked off of Thomas Street across the river from Konehete Park. From there we walked to the confluence of the Valley River and Hiwassee River, which is featured on one of the trail's loops.

Confluence of the Valley River (right) and Hiwassee River (left)

Round trip this segment took us about 45 minutes at a very leisurely pace. While it may at times feel somewhat secluded, the River Walk provides convenient access to the shops and restaurants downtown Murphy has to offer. There is an audio tour that can be accessed via various informational sign posts along the way. It also connects seamlessly to another trail within Konehete Park - perhaps the topic of a future post. Find out more about the River Walk here.





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