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Cherokee, North Carolina

Looking for the best hiking in Cherokee? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Cherokee. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Cherokee

  • Brevard, North Carolina

    Camp at Davidson River Campground in the Pisgah National Forest

    4.5
    Pisgah National Forest, in my opinion, is one of the best national forests in the United States. Being just a short drive from Great Smokey Mountain National Park it has all the feel of being in the smokies with more to explore. Pisgah has anything you could want to see or do from tens of water...
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  • Mountain Rest, South Carolina

    Hike along the Chattooga River to Spoonauger Falls

    1 mi / 100 ft gain
    Spoonauger falls housed in Sumter National Forest, received its name after the Spoonauger family which historically lived above the falls. From Walhalla SC, drive north on Highway 28 until it meets SC 107 (right under 10 miles). Take a slight right onto SC 107 and drive another 10 miles until yo...
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  • Mountain Rest, South Carolina

    Hike to Kings Creek Falls

    4.8
    0.5 mi
    The trail to Kings Creek begins behind the bulletin board in the Burrells Ford primitive campground parking lot. It is an easy .5 mile trail to the falls. The falls are only 70ft high but they are beautiful, there is an area to the side of the falls with some nice sitting rocks and the area under...
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  • Mountain Rest, South Carolina

    Hike to King Creek Falls

    0.6 mi
    Very nice dog-friendly and family-friendly adventure! The hike is not long at all and the end result is a beautiful 70 ft waterfall with a pooled area at the bottom!  Old logs are around for sitting on and relaxing while enjoying your lunch or snacks...
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  • Mountain Rest, South Carolina

    Hike to Big Bend Falls

    5.0
    6.5 mi
    The hike to Big Bend Falls begins on the Chattooga River Trail at the Burrell's Ford Campground. To get here you take Burrell's Ford Road off of SC 107. There will be a good sized gravel parking area off to the left about 3 miles down Burrell's Ford Road. When you park the car you can walk down t...
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  • Tallassee, Tennessee

    Hike to Look Rock Tower

    5.0
    1 mi / 300 ft gain
    Look Rock tower has spectacular views and is a great hike to enjoy year round. The tower is an old fire tower used for spotting smoke in the valley. Because of this the tower is placed on the highest ridge around making for some amazing views. The only way to get to the tower is along the Foothil...
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  • Pisgah Forest, North Carolina

    Drive the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway

    5.0
    76 mi / 1000 ft gain
    You can drive this highway getting different views during the different seasons. Along the drive, have your camera ready for beautiful vistas, Looking Glass Falls, and many adventures along the highway. The views are especially beautiful in the autumn with the leaves changing colors. This route d...
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  • Robbinsville, North Carolina

    Hike the Big Fat Gap Trail

    12 mi / 3000 ft gain
    There are many trailheads leading into the wilderness on either the Tennessee or North Carolina side. My favorite is the Big Fat Gap trail on the North Carolina side at an elevation of 3,060'. To see the best of what this area has to offer take the Hangover Lead South Trail to the 5,180' Hangover...
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  • Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, North Carolina

    Backpack Slickrock Creek Trail #42

    30 mi / 3700 ft gain
    8:30 a.m. and we’re winding our way down Highway 129 near Robbinsville, NC. The fog is still thick over the Little Tennessee River as we slow down crossing the bridge into Graham County. “I think we missed it,” I say as we continue onward. Within minutes the Tapoco Lodge comes into view. My pre-h...
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  • Asheville, North Carolina

    Explore Lake Powhatan

    Lake Powhatan is located just minutes away from Asheville, NC and offers a number of fun activities for you, your friends, and your family. In the warm summer months, the Lake is a popular spot for swimming. The small stretch of beach along the lake is a nice place to lay out and soak in the sun....
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  • Kodak, Tennessee

    Bobwhite Trail

    2 mi / 100 ft gain
    This is a great and easy hike through the Seven Islands Birding State Park. This park is located in east Knoxville and is one only 20 minutes from downtown Knoxville. The trail starts at the Seven Islands Birding Park parking lot that has a beautiful garden with lots of wildflowers. The trail is ...
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  • Kodak, Tennessee

    Kelly Lane Greenway

    2.5 mi / 50 ft gain
    This trail is located in the Seven Islands Birding State Park. This park is east of Knoxville only about 20 minutes from downtown Knoxville. The park is small but there is plenty of beauty and lots of hiking trails in the area. At the beginning of the trail there is a gorgeous flower garden and a...
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  • Clayton, Georgia

    Hike the James E. Edmond trail to Lookoff Mountain Overlook

    4.0
    7.5 mi / 2378 ft gain
    Black Rock Mountain State Park is Georgia's highest elevation State Park.  It is adorned with several waterfalls, sweeping overlooks, blooming Rhododendron's, and plenty of miles of trail.  The James E. Edmond trail is the longest and by far most challenging hike in the park.  Its medium-long dis...
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  • Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina

    Huckleberry Knob

    4.8
    1.77 mi / 295 ft gain
    Huckleberry Knob is the highest point in the Cheoah Ranger District at 5,560 feet, and it offers expansive views of the surrounding Cherokee and Natahala National Forest. The hike is 2.4 miles roundtrip and begins at the parking lot between mile 8 and 9 up an old dirt road. You will go up the di...
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  • Clayton, Georgia

    Camp at Tallulah River Campground

    Tallulah River Campground is located in the Chattahoochee-Oconee national forest. It is just outside of Clayton, Georgia. The campground has about 15 spots that are big enough for a small to medium sized RV. Each camping spot also has a nice tent pad for a big tent. Most spots are also on the riv...
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  • 138 Silver Mine Road, North Carolina

    Hike the Lovers Leap Loop Trail

    5.0
    1.8 mi / 472 ft gain
    Lovers Leap Loop trail is a 1.8 mile loop in Hot Springs, NC. The address of the trailhead is 138 Silver Mine Rd, Hot Springs, NC 28743. Once you arrive at the parking lot, you will see a trail leading up into the mountain with a post next to it. This is where you want to begin. It is part of the...
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