Knoxville, Tennessee

Top Spots in and near Knoxville

  • Unnamed Road, Tennessee

    Hike to Hatfield Knob Elk Viewing Tower

    1 mi / 200 ft gain
    HIGHLY 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...
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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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  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Mt. LeConte via Alum Cave Bluff

    5.0
    10.68 mi / 3543 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Porters Creek Trail

    5.0
    7.19 mi / 1614 ft gain
    Porters Creek Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
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  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Fern Branch Falls

    5.0
    3.7 mi / 794 ft gain
    Take 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...
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  • 35.629385,-83.450994

    Camp out at Mt. LeConte Lodge via Alum Cave

    5.0
    9.97 mi / 0 ft gain
    At 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,...
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  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Appalachian Trail: Charlie's Bunion and Kephart Loop

    5.0
    16.84 mi / 4429 ft gain
    Appalachian Trail: Charlie's Bunion and Kephart Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Cherokee, North Carolina.
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  • Fontana Dam, North Carolina

    Shuckstack Fire Tower

    5.0
    8.84 mi / 2605 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 ...
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  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Hike to the Ramsey Cascades

    4.9
    7.83 mi / 2254 ft gain
    This multi-tiered waterfall is known as the tallest in the park – a worthwhile reward for the steep and sometimes tricky terrain you'll face on the way up. The popular route to the falls also passes through an impressive old-growth forest, which apparently boasts some of the tallest trees in the...
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  • U.S. 441, Tennessee

    Photograph the Smokies from Morton Overlook

    4.3
    The Morton Overlook is one of the Great Smoky Mountains National Parks most well known and visited overlooks. Morton offers a wide view of the Great Smoky Mountains and is a perfect spot for some really good photography opportunities. Coming from Gatlinburg, TN it is roughly 13 miles from the vis...
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  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Clingmans Dome

    4.5
    1.23 mi / 338 ft gain
    The drive to Clingmans Dome is miles of scenic overlooks that provide endless views of ridges and valleys. Clingmans Dome Road comes to a parking lot from which you follow a .5 mile paved trail to the summit. There are also several trails that start on Clingmans Dome Road. Most notably The Appal...
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  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Andrews Bald

    5.0
    3.55 mi / 912 ft gain
    The trail begins at the Clingmans Dome parking lot, just to the left of the paved walkway up to Clingmans Dome. You will start the hike at an elevation of 6130 feet which is only 334 feet less than Clingmans Dome which is the highest point in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and the second...
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  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Clingmans Dome Loop

    25.75 mi / 5686 ft gain
    The first day of the hike is either 12.3 miles or 10.5 miles (depending on the campsite) almost all downhill, and the second half of the loop is 13.3 miles or 11.5 miles, again depending on the campsite, almost exclusively uphill. Just as a reference the first day took us about 6 and a half hours...
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  • 35.556724,-83.495827

    Forney Creek Loop

    4.5
    19.04 mi / 4957 ft gain
    This is an overnight loop hike that is built around one night in the back country. It can be done as an ambitious day hike. Be advised that permits are required by the NPS for all overnight stays in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The hike begins at the Clingman's Dome parking lot at the For...
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  • 35.610235,-83.426410

    Myrtle Point via Alum Cave

    5.0
    15.43 mi / 2864 ft gain
    This hike can be started at the Alum Cave trailhead or the Boulevard Trailhead. For this particular adventure, the starting point is Alum Cave. If you're lucky enough to stay the night at the backcountry shelter on top of Mt. LeConte, (add 0.2 miles if coming from the Lodge), head east on the Bou...
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  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail

    5.0
    4.32 mi / 1010 ft gain
    From the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, drive approximately 13 miles south on Newfound Gap Road to reach the Newfound Gap Parking Area (it'll be on your left). The parking area is free and there are bathrooms. Follow the Appalachian Trail towards Katahdin, Maine (1972 miles away, woah...
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