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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Reliance, Tennessee
Hike the Scenic Spur Trail
5.03.9 mi / 426 ft gainVery little elevation gain leads to an easy hike along a river right outside of the Ocoee river region. First .7 miles is very flat, then leads to some slight elevation gain but nothing too serious. This trail traverses through the lush forest for a short distance when you come across a small cre...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Clingman’s Dome via Newfound Gap
4.716.17 mi / 3632 ft gainThis route to Clingmans Dome is available throughout the year. But during the winter months from December 1 through March 31, the 7-mile Clingman’s Dome Road that branches off Highway 441 at Newfound Gap, stays closed. This means the usual drive to the parking area located just a half mile below ...Read more -
Grandview, Tennessee
Piney Falls
5.02.2 mi / 279 ft gainThe gravel road heading to the trailhead is on the rougher side to take it slow. When you get to the trailhead it’s a small gravel pull off right off the road. There are no maps at the trailhead but there are only a few trails to take and they are marked with a blue marker. To get to the upper ...Read more -
Memphis, Tennessee
Hike at The Outback at Shelby Farms Park Conservancy
4.03 miParking can be found at Raleigh Lagrange Rd and Trinity Rd. There are several trails to follow as well as trails that can be found into the wooded areas. The perfect place for your pup that has a decent recall. Keep in mind, there are single-track mountain bike trails that share the park.There ar...Read more -
Unicoi, Tennessee
Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower via Fire Tower Road
5.03.47 mi / 663 ft gainPinnacle Mountain hosts one of the nicest fire towers on the East Coast of the United States. The fire tower is relatively new, sturdy, and has a large 360 degree viewing area at the top. The tower overlooks the Downtown Johnson City area, Elizabethton, Erwin, and the rest of the Buffalo Mountain...Read more -
Lancing, Tennessee
Lilly Bluff Overlook
5.00.64 mi / 230 ft gainHonestly this is hard to even call a trail, but that doesn't mean it lacks beauty. Once you take the right or left of off ridge Ridge Road make sure to go past the first parking lot and into the second larger parking lot. The trail starts near the front of the parking lot on the right side of the...Read more -
Jamestown, Tennessee
Twin Arches Loop
5.01.22 mi / 177 ft gainThe trail starts at the parking lot which has some nice bathrooms and a nice small picnic area that is open year-round. From the trailhead, you will follow the signs that will lead you to a short mostly flat, 7-mile hike to the first arch. Once you get to the first arch there is a small area with...Read more -
Townsend, Tennessee
Gregory Bald via Gregory Ridge Trail
5.011.88 mi / 3245 ft gainThe 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...Read more -
Newport, Tennessee
Explore Halls Top Fire Tower
4.01 mi / 200 ft gainHalls Top Fire Tower is a special untouched spot in the Cherokee National Forest. The road that leads you into the CNF is known as Halls Top Road just a few miles off of Interstate I-40. This road will take you 4.4 miles to the next turn onto Stone Mountain Road this road is 2.1 miles to the gat...Read more -
Nashville, Tennessee
Hike the Trails at Fontanel
3.52.5 mi / 229 ft gainThe trailhead is located across from the Woods at Fontanel Music Venue, with the trail leading up and over the ridge behind the Fontanel Mansion and back down by the Woods at Fontanel VIP seating area. Keep in mind that the trails also connect to a mile of paved Metro Parks Greenway for foot and ...Read more -
Appalachian Trail, Tennessee
Jones Falls via Appalachian Trail
5.010.65 mi / 2484 ft gainStarting at the Appalachian Trail (AT) trailhead at US 19E, follow the AT north for 3.1 miles until you reach the intersection of the trail with Buck Mountain Rd. This section of the AT has an elevation gain of almost 1000 ft, and large sections of trail with significant meadows offering magnific...Read more -
Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee
Hike the Hogskin Upper and Lower Loop
5.01.4 miAfter an easy 25 minute drive from Chattanooga you will reach North Chickamauga Gorge on Montlake Road in Soddy Daisy. Park any where in the gravel loop just make sure other cars can get through. From the Montlake Road Trailhead Kiosk the trail begins on an old mining road. Hogskin Upper Loop Tr...Read more -
Upper Tremont Road, Tennessee
Hike to Indian Flat Falls via Middle Prong Trail
4.57.21 mi / 1102 ft gainOne 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...Read more -
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...Read more -
Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee
Hike the Hogskin Loop to Stripmine Falls
2.51.3 miStripmine Falls is not the biggest waterfall in the area, but it is both beautiful and accessible with just a short and easy out-and-back (or loop) hike. The additional attraction of cool swimming pools along Chickamauga creek make this an ideal destination for a day full of relaxation and adven...Read more -
Wartburg, Tennessee
Hike to Debord and Emory Gap Falls in Frozen Head SP
4.33.2 mi / 465 ft gainThe trail head begins just over the bridge and is labeled as the Panther Branch trail head. To began you will continue straight and within .6 miles of hiking you will come to the first waterfall on a branch off on the right side of the trail. This first waterfall is Debord Falls and it can be eas...Read more