Tennessee
Looking for the best hiking in Tennessee? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Tennessee. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Tennessee
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Sparta, Tennessee
Burgess Falls
4.61.56 mi / 95 ft gainIf you like waterfalls, this hike is for you. Along the way you'll pass by Falling Water Cascades (20 ft), Little Falls ( 30 ft), Middle Falls (80 ft) and finally the main event, Burgess Falls (136 ft). There are a few spots for swimming so bring your suit if it's a warm day. It's an easy hike s...Read more -
Signal Mountain, Tennessee
Hike to Rainbow Falls
4.65.7 mi / 1500 ft gainMost Rainbow Lake Trail hikers have seen or heard the majestic Rainbow Falls, but fewer have ventured down the treacherous path to the falls themselves. Albeit a bit daunting, especially if there has been recent rain, the path from Rainbow Lake Trail down to Rainbow Falls is a rewarding trek for ...Read more -
Tracy City, Tennessee
Sycamore Falls
4.62.92 mi / 295 ft gainSycamore Falls is located in the Fiery Gizzard region of South Cumberland State Park. The trailhead is located just past Tracy City Elementary School on Fiery Gizzard Road. There is a large parking lot with restrooms at the trailhead. Start your hike at the south end of the parking lot. This ...Read more -
Reliance, Tennessee
Rainbow Falls, Cherokee National Forest
4.83.37 mi / 531 ft gainStarting at the parking lot, head up the trail (Clemmer #302/Scenic Spur #78) and it should say "1.7 miles to waterfalls". At the top of the hill in approximately 0.1 miles, veer to the right on trail #78. Continue for another 0.6 miles trail - #86 cuts across but continue straight on #78. From t...Read more -
Tullahoma, Tennessee
Machine Falls Loop at Short Springs Natural Area
4.84.07 mi / 732 ft gainThe Machine Falls loop at Short Springs Natural Area is a 1.6 mile round trip hike easily followed by white blazes. It is rated moderate difficulty due to the short, steep descent into a gorge where the falls is located. The trail is sparsely trafficked; there are usually quite a few people han...Read more -
Del Rio, Tennessee
Max Patch Mountain
5.01.51 mi / 315 ft gainMax Patch Mountain was once cleared for pasture land, leaving an expansive flat summit that now serves as the ideal location for a picnic hike, flying a kite, or laying in the sun surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family (and ...Read more -
Roan Mountain, Tennessee
Jane Bald via Appalachian Trail
4.82.64 mi / 581 ft gainThis journey begins at Carvers Gap, on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. At a beginning elevation of 5512 ft. you will cross the road from the parking area to the trailhead, on the Appalachian Trail, northbound. The trail climbs gently through grasslands and rhododendron before enter...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hike the Cucumber Gap and Little River Loop
4.05.54 mi / 0 ft gainThis 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...Read more -
Del Rio, Tennessee
Max Patch to Hot Springs, N.C. via Appalachian Trail
3.414.06 mi / 2966 ft gainMake a weekend trip from Max Patch to Hot Springs N.C., and be sure to soak in the natural hot springs at the old inn after your hike! This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the French Broad River. You can break this up however you like, this i...Read more -
Kingston Springs, Tennessee
Bluff Overlook Trail
4.50.48 mi / 49 ft gainFrom the parking lot, walk up the same road the direction you entered. Just a little up the hill to the left, you will see the trailhead for the Bluff Overlook. It's only about a 0.25 mile hike, but the initial walk up the hill is steep. Once you reach the top, there are several points to sit and...Read more -
Kingston Springs, Tennessee
Narrows of the Harpeth
4.61 mi / 148 ft gainThe Harpeth River State Park has a handful of good trails to hike at the park. One of those trails includes the Bluff Overlook trail. That post can be read here. There are two trails leading to the tunnel waterfall. One is the tunnel trail that's connected to the Bluff Overlook trail. It is only ...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hike to the Jump-Off
4.36.23 mi / 1224 ft gainThis trail starts at the Newfound Gap parking lot. Newfound Gap is situated on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. The views from Newfound Gap overlook North Carolina and are worth the trip in their own right. The restroom facilities are clean and have flushing toilets. Follow the crowds ...Read more -
Pikeville, Tennessee
Hike to Rockhouse and Cane Creek Falls
5.01 mi / 500 ft gainFall Creek Falls State Park is home to multiple waterfalls. The main attraction and biggest waterfall, Fall Creek Falls, is often tourists' main destination, but I encourage you to visit the base of Rockhouse Falls and Cane Creek Falls to enjoy some quiet solitude and get away from the usual week...Read more -
Sevierville, Tennessee
Spelunking in Forbidden Caverns
5.0When exploring all that Tennessee has to offer, it’s hard to ignore the fact it is home to more caves than any other state in America. So when picking one, of more than 10,000, to explore it is hard to go wrong. Forbidden Caverns happens to be one of the most popular spots and is only a few minut...Read more -
Signal Mountain, Tennessee
Edwards Point via Signal Point
4.85.21 mi / 1184 ft gainThe Signal Point to Edwards Points trail serves as the southernmost leg of the Cumberland Trail, winding through part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. From the initial Signal Point overlook, the path descends into Middle Creek Gorge, passes through the Rainbow Lake Wilde...Read more -
Sevier County, Tennessee
Little River Trail to Backcountry Campsite #30
5.012.34 mi / 1273 ft gainThe 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...Read more