Blount County, Tennessee

Top Spots in and near Blount County

Walland, Tennessee
Drive the Foothills Parkway National Scenic Byway

5.0

The foothills parkway runs parallel to the Great Smoky Mountains. It is 38.6 miles in total with the longest section at 33.0 miles. There are a few different places to get on to the parkway. There is one entrance near Fontana, Walland, Wears Valley, and Cosby. However Cosby is a smaller section a...
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Tallassee, Tennessee
Abrams Falls Trail

4.8

4.96 mi / 625 ft gain

One of the biggest perks of hiking Abrams Falls is the drive to get there. The trailhead is located approximately 5 miles into the scenic Cades Cove Loop. Cades Cove is an adventure in itself. Keep your eye out for black bears, deer and wild turkey. If you are taking the self guided auto tour, Ab...
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Townsend, Tennessee
Bike Cade's Cove Loop

4.9

10.5 mi

Cade's Cove is a valley located smack in the middle of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Feel free to drive the 11 mile loop in the day, but if you're really cool, you'll schedule your trip around a full moon so you can bike under the light of night! Allow yourself a few hours to explore a...
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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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35.604955,-83.770373
Hike to Rocky Top

5.0

12.8 mi / 3500 ft gain

Rocky Top is known to be the spot that inspired the famous fight song of the University of Tennessee, which is also an official song for the state of Tennessee. The trailhead for this hike begins in the Cade’s Cove picnic area parking lot towards the back side. There are a few parking spots ri...
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Townsend, Tennessee
Backpack to Spence Field

13.8 mi / 3100 ft gain

Start your hike at Anthony Creek Trailhead (elevation 1,800 ft), in the Cade’s Cove area. The trailhead is located at the far end of the day-use picnic area near Cade’s Cove campground. There are a few parking spots right at the trailhead, but note that the picnic area closes at dusk (a gate clos...
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Townsend, Tennessee
Gregory Bald via Gregory Ridge Trail

5.0

11.3 mi / 3020 ft gain

The Gregory Bald summit is indisputably picturesque – the 10-acre meadow at the top hosts magnificent azalea blooms in June, wild blueberries in August, and views of Cades Cove, Rich Mountain, Fontana Lake, Thunderhead Mountain, and Clingmans Dome, year-round. Start this hike at the Gregory Ridg...
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Townsend, Tennessee
Spruce Flats Falls

4.8

1.64 mi / 495 ft gain

To get to Spruce Flats Falls, you will want to drive down 2.2 miles down the scenic Tremont Road to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute and park in the visitor center parking area. You will then want to ascend up the gravel road past the sign that says restricted to unrestricted traffic (meaning ...
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Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hike to Upper Meigs Falls

5.0

3.55 mi / 1000 ft gain

Parking available off of Little River Gorge Road (State Hwy. 73) at The Sinks/Meigs Creek Trailhead. The trail starts with winding elevation gain until it crests around 1 mile into the hike (notice pine trees at higher elevation). After the crest it starts descending towards Meigs Creek. While f...
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Upper Tremont Road, Tennessee
Hike to Indian Flat Falls via Middle Prong Trail

4.5

7.21 mi / 1140 ft gain

One of the best trails in the Smokies is the Middle Prong Trail. The trail passes three major waterfalls, in addition to numerous smaller falls, cataracts and cascades. Once you've parked, you'll start at the trail head and immediately see your first cascade. From the trailhead hikers will cro...
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Robbinsville, North Carolina
Gregory Bald via Twentymile

4.0

15.42 mi / 3694 ft gain

Gregory Bald via Twentymile is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Robbinsville, North Carolina.
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Sevierville, Tennessee
Laurel Falls Trail

4.3

2.45 mi / 314 ft gain

This straightforward, yet scenic hike follows a paved trail to the falls, which is among the most popular in the park. This trail can be especially crowded during the summer, so be sure to arrive early. Keep an eye out for a few steep drop-offs on either side of the trail along the way. There ha...
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Sevier County, Tennessee
Little River Trail to Backcountry Campsite #30

5.0

12.34 mi / 412 ft gain

The trailhead parking area is large but if no spaces are available additional parking can be had at the Jake's Creek trailhead at the top of the hill and to the right of the Little River trail parking lot. After parking, the trailhead itself will be to the left of the parking area. Parking Lot Co...
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Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hike the Cucumber Gap and Little River Loop

4.0

5.5 mi / 800 ft gain

This loop offers a scenic 2.5 mile hike next to the river before looping back around via the Cucumber Gap Trail. At the tail end, you'll connect with the Jakes Creek Trail for about 0.7 miles to return you back to the parking lot. Many people hike this trial clockwise, but if it's a hot day, it...
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Fontana Dam, North Carolina
Hike to Shuckstack Fire Tower

5.0

7 mi / 2100 ft gain

Your Shuckstack adventure starts at the Fontana Dam outside of Bryson City, NC. As the highest dam East of the Rocky Mountains, it's a sight on its own. This will be your last chance to fill up water bottles and use the restroom so take advantage.You can leave on foot from the dam and continue al...
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Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg Trail

5.0

3.8 mi / 351 ft gain

Gatlinburg Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
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