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Banner Elk, North Carolina

Top Spots in and near Banner Elk

  • Purlear, North Carolina

    Cascades Trail

    5.0
    0.86 mi / 220 ft gain
    Cascades Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Deep Gap, North Carolina.
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  • Morganton, North Carolina

    Camp on Shortoff Mountain in the Linville Gorge

    5.0
    The Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, also known as the Grand Canyon of the East, is one of the wildest, most rugged gorges in the eastern United States. It's also an outdoor paradise for hikers and backpackers. Camping here is always a treat and you are sure to enjoy your time spent in the gorge.D...
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  • Unicoi, Tennessee

    Camp at Unaka Mountain Overlook

    4.0
    0.1 mi
    Unaka Mountain Overlook is one of the highest locations in the Cherokee National Forest. Easily accessibly by vehicle, the overlook towers over the surrounding mountains, including Beauty Spot Gap, and is an ideal spot to camp overnight. Take Rock Creek Road until you meet the border of North Car...
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  • Elizabethton, Tennessee

    Flint Mill Trail

    5.0
    2.44 mi / 1302 ft gain
    Flint Mill Trail is an approximately 2.4 mile out-and-back trail in the Cherokee National Forrest. The trailhead is located on Flatwoods Road in Elizabethton, TN. The trail has a rather steep incline and is considered challenging. There is a 1,264 foot altitude change from the base to the top . T...
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  • Spruce Pine, North Carolina

    Grassy Creek Falls

    1.5 mi / 312 ft gain
    Grassy Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall that lies on private property just north of Little Switzerland's downtown area. The trailhead is easy to find. From Little Switzerland simply go under the Blue Ridge Parkway and the driveway is immediately on the right. You will park at the top of the...
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  • Unicoi, Tennessee

    Appalachian Trail: Beauty Spot to Unaka Mountain

    5.0
    6.35 mi / 1654 ft gain
    Appalachian Trail: Beauty Spot to Unaka Mountain is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Green Mountain, North Carolina.
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  • Bristol, Tennessee

    Little Oak Campground

    4.0
    Little Oak is a campground in Sullivan County, TN in the Cherokee National Forrest. There are 69 campsites located in three separate sections of the campground. Each section has a vault toilet and there is a shower house for the whole campground. There is a host in each section to help ensure you...
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  • Burnsville, North Carolina

    Camp at Snaggy Mountain

    Snaggy Mountain is privately owned land that offers a beautiful camping spot located just outside of the Pigsah National Forest. It's completely secluded by an Apple Orchard and is a great home base for several hiking adventures in the area. The location on the map will get you to the parking spo...
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  • Unicoi, Tennessee

    Pinnacle Mountain Trail

    8.81 mi / 2700 ft gain
    Pinnacle Mountain is a long, grinding climb to the top. The singletrack winds up 1,500 feet of elevation for nearly 5 miles with few downhill sections. Once at the top, take a rest and climb the fire tower that overlooks the Downtown Johnson City area, Elizabethton, Erwin, and the rest of the Buf...
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  • Bristol, Tennessee

    Spillway Trail

    5.0
    3.54 mi / 869 ft gain
    Spillway Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Bristol, Tennessee.
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  • Green Mountain, North Carolina

    Hike to Beauty Spot Gap

    5.0
    2.13 mi / 1277 ft gain
    Beauty Spot Gap is located on the Appalachian Trail on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. The bald offers a panoramic view of Cherokee National Forest and the city of Erwin. This is a popular destination for hikers of the AT to set up camp and watch the sunset. From the Tennessee side, t...
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  • Green Mountain, North Carolina

    Appalachian Trail: Indian Grave Gap to Chestoa

    4.0
    8.05 mi / 1165 ft gain
    Appalachian Trail: Indian Grave Gap to Chestoa is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a river located near Unicoi, Tennessee.
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  • Bristol, Tennessee

    Bouton Loop Trail

    5.0
    1.45 mi / 157 ft gain
    The Bouton Trail Loop is an approximately 1.5 mile round trip on TVA land. There is a gravel parking lot with an information sign and trail map. Sections of the trail are gravel and sections are dirt. There are multiple places along the trail that cut off and lead down to the river for prime fish...
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  • Johnson City, Tennessee

    White Rock Loop

    5.0
    4.94 mi / 1457 ft gain
    White Rock Loop is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Johnson City, Tennessee.
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  • Johnson City, Tennessee

    Hike to Tip Top on Buffalo Mountain

    4.0
    5.4 mi / 1388 ft gain
    Tip Top rests on one of the highest points of Buffalo Mountain. The overlook features tree coverage perfect for hammocking and benches while providing views of Downtown Johnson City as well as the other side of the mountain range. The hike from the trailhead to Tip Top is moderately steep. The tr...
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  • Johnson City, Tennessee

    White Rock Overlook

    5.0
    2.85 mi / 876 ft gain
    The White Rock trailhead is less than a 10 minute drive from downtown Johnson City. When pulling up Highbridge Road, take a left at the fork. You will shortly encounter a vehicle gate where you will park to the side of the road (do not block the yellow vehicle gate). You have the option to walk ...
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