Knoxville, Tennessee
Looking for the best hiking in Knoxville? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Knoxville. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Knoxville
-
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Rainbow Falls Trail
5.34 mi / 1781 ft gainRainbow Falls Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.Read more -
35.675929,-83.485764
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
5.05.83 mi / 797 ft gainThis 6 mile drive is a great way to spend a scenic day in the Smokies. The road is open to cars only (no trucks or RVs) and runs one-way. There are no visitors centers after you head out, so be sure to bring everything you need along. The drive begins at the historic Ogle farmstead, which is als...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Mount LeConte-Cliff Tops via Rainbow Falls Trail
4.513.37 mi / 4255 ft gainBegin at the Rainbow Falls trail parking lot. This is very popular area especially in the summer. If the parking area at the trail head is full there is additional parking located just past the main lot. From here the Rainbow Falls trail is just under 14 miles to the summit of Mount Leconte. Elev...Read more -
Wartburg, Tennessee
Frozen Head Lookout Tower via East Lookout Tower Trail
4.33.91 mi / 922 ft gainTo get to this hike the easiest way is to go up Petros hwy near the closed Brushy Mountain State prison. The trailhead is a large gravel lot on the side of the road. The trail is an old road so it is wide and well taken care of. However, the trail is very steep all the way up. The trail has only ...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 -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Grotto Falls Trail
5.01.83 mi / 577 ft gainThis is an intermediate hike along Trillium Gap Trail. There are four stream crossings on your way to the falls as you hike through an idyll, often wildflower-sprinkled landscape. Late spring is best for catching blooms. Once at the waterfall, you can walk behind the cascade of water. This is a ...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 -
Wartburg, Tennessee
Old Mac Mountain and Frozen Head Firetower
6.42 mi / 1906 ft gainOld Mac Mountain and Frozen Head Firetower is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Wartburg, Tennessee.Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Chimney Tops Trail
4.94.03 mi / 1306 ft gainThe Chimney Tops Trail is one of the most visited trails in the Smokies, which is why I recommend going up just before sunset to beat the crowd! During the summer and fall months, it's common to see a hundred people taking in the views on the same trail, but if you scramble on out after hours, y...Read more -
Unnamed Road, Tennessee
Hike to Hatfield Knob Elk Viewing Tower
1 mi / 200 ft gainHIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A 4WD VEHICLE OR ALL WHEEL DRIVE. The road to the trail-head can be very dangerous at times because of mud and debris, because of this an all wheel drive at least is very useful if you only have a 2WD car or truck I suggest only going in dry conditions. When you get t...Read more -
Robbinsville, North Carolina
Gregory Bald via Twentymile
4.015.42 mi / 3694 ft gainGregory Bald via Twentymile is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Robbinsville, North Carolina.Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Mt. LeConte via Alum Cave Bluff
5.010.68 mi / 3543 ft gainThe Alum Cave trailhead is on Newfound Gap Road, 8 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Mt. LeConte is the third highest peak in the Smokies, and this is an extremely popular hike, so arrive early to get a parking spot and beat the crowds. Starting from the parking lot the trail gently wind...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Porters Creek Trail
5.07.19 mi / 1614 ft gainPorters Creek Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Fern Branch Falls
5.03.7 mi / 794 ft gainTake Porters Creek Trail, a gravel road alongside Porters Creek. You will pass by an old farmstead and cemetery, as well as lots of wildflowers if you're out during the spring. In a mile, keep left, then in another half mile or so you should cross over a small (and somewhat harrowing) footbridge...Read more -
35.629385,-83.450994
Camp out at Mt. LeConte Lodge via Alum Cave
5.09.97 mi / 0 ft gainAt the summit of Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the lodge sits at a elevation of 6400 feet. It is the only "accommodations" inside the park boundaries. It is the highest lodge in the eastern United States. Accessible only by hiking one of the five trails to the summit,...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Appalachian Trail: Charlie's Bunion and Kephart Loop
5.016.84 mi / 4429 ft gainAppalachian Trail: Charlie's Bunion and Kephart Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Cherokee, North Carolina.Read more