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  • Great Smoky Mountains
  • Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

    Top Spots in and near Great Smoky Mountains

    • Canton, North Carolina

      Hike to Bubling Spring Falls

      0.1 mi / 50 ft gain
      The road to get to this waterfall is right off of NC 215 which comes right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway and is only about 3 miles away from parkway. The parking area is very small and does not offer many parking spots but since it is not that popular of an area parking is usually not a problem. ...
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    • Knoxville, Tennessee

      Strechi Hills Greenway

      4.0
      4.2 mi / 0 ft gain
      This greeway is located in north Knoxville near the Sterchi Hills neighborhood. The greenway is 2.1 miles one way so it can make for a good run through the woods. All of the greenway is paved and most of it is under tree cover so it is shaded most of the time. This is a great trail to see birds a...
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    • Del Rio, Tennessee

      Meadow Creek Fire Tower

      5.0
      0.14 mi / 17.06 ft gain
      Meadow Creek Fire Tower is a great place to spend an afternoon watching the sunset or spend the night gazing at the stars. You can bring a blanket then lay out on the top of the tower and view the entire sky. The tower itself was made back in the early 1920's. Over the years it changed appearance...
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    • Otto, North Carolina

      Hike to and Climb Pickens Nose

      4.8
      1.5 mi / 200 ft gain
      From the parking area (fits about 6 cars) follow the trail on the same side of the road up the ridge through dense rhododendron. Several spur trails branch off of the main trail and lead to rock outcroppings with excellent views. Getting to the parking area is slow. The narrow gravel road winds...
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    • Tellico Plains, Tennessee

      Explore North River Road

      4.7
      If you're looking to get off the beaten path and take the road less traveled, North River Road is your ticket to solitude.A popular loop for the locals is starting on Tellico River Road, then getting on North River Road to make your way up the mountain all the way to the Cherohala Skyway. Take th...
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    • Tellico Plains, Tennessee

      Camp at North River Campground and Dispersed Campsites

      North River Road is located in the Nantahala National Forest near Tellico Plains. To get to North River Campground you can either drive up the Cherohala Skyway about 6 miles then turn when you see the sign for the campground and bald river falls. Another way to get to the campsites along North Ri...
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    • Highlands, North Carolina

      Photograph and Explore Bridal Veil Falls

      4.0
      Bridal Veil Falls is located directly off of the road and is about a 100 feet tall in total. The falls makes for a great place to take pictures under the water falls. The falls itself is small and flows constant all year long getting to the bottom of the falls is not recommended because it is dan...
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    • Highlands, North Carolina

      Dry Falls

      4.6
      0.35 mi / 26 ft gain
      Dry Falls is located off of Hwy. 64, which has been designated as the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway, and the road does not disappoint. Hwy. 64 is a two lane road which hugs the northern side of Cullasaja Gorge, which has been carved by the Cullasaja River. Besides Dry Falls, Hwy. 64 leads you past...
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    • Glenville, North Carolina

      Hike to Frolictown Falls

      1.5 mi / 350 ft gain
      This is an awesome hike to do if you're short on time or have hours to kill. Because it is so easy to access, it doesn't take very long to get down to it and can be accessed by two separate trails. Both trails are well maintained, however, while there are some blazes, it is not heavily marked. Th...
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    • Glenville, North Carolina

      Hike to Blackrock Overlook

      3 mi / 700 ft gain
      This is probably one of my favorite hikes I've done in Panthertown Valley. Its also one of the easier views to access. You start from the Salt Rock Gap Parking lot, taking the Blackrock Trail (447) up Blackrock Mountain. This trail is located about 100 yards to the left if you are standing lookin...
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    • Glenville, North Carolina

      Hike to Granny Burrell Falls

      2.4 mi / 440 ft gain
      Panthertown Valley has a unique system of trails, with each trail having a specific number. Some of the trails listed at the information hut in the parking lot are accessed by taking one or two other trails to get to the start of the trail you are seeking. That is the case when hiking to Granny B...
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    • Glenville, North Carolina

      Hike to Wilderness Falls

      1.4 mi / 300 ft gain
      Wilderness Falls offers a beautiful hike with a simple yet captivating falls. All of the maintained trails in Pantertown Valley are marked by a number system (there is an information hut in the parking lot with information about other local trails, distance of different trails, and emergency cont...
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    • Balsam Grove, North Carolina

      Devil's Courthouse

      4.7
      0.85 mi / 246 ft gain
      The Devil's Courthouse Overlook and Trail can be one of the best places to see the entire Blue Ridge countryside. Even though it is a short hike, there is a fairly steep incline halfway through, so be prepared to huff and puff a little. It takes anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes depending upon your ...
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    • Canton, North Carolina

      Sam Knob and Flat Laurel Creek Loop

      4.9
      3.84 mi / 807 ft gain
      This is one of my favorite quick "getaway" loops in the Pisgah Ranger District. Turn onto Black Balsam Knob Road (Mile Marker 420 on the Blue Ridge Parkway) go until you reach a dead end and park at the parking lot. You'll see the Sam Knob trail to the right of the public bathrooms. From there, i...
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    • Canton, North Carolina

      Sam Knob Trail

      5.0
      2.45 mi / 558 ft gain
      Sam Knob Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Canton, North Carolina.
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    • Canton, North Carolina

      Tennent Mountain

      5.0
      3 mi / 285 ft gain
      Park at the Lot at the end of Black Balsam road, and start your morning in the dark, down the old dirt road at the end of the lot. Take this road until you get to Ivestor Gap and make a right onto the Art Loeb, try and time it so the sun is just about to rise here. Hike or trail run The Art Loeb ...
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