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Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Looking for the best hiking in Oak Ridge? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Oak Ridge. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Oak Ridge

  • Lancing, Tennessee

    Camp at OBED Wild and Scenic River Area via the Point Trail

    4 mi
    You will want to park at the Lilly Bluff parking lot. Your GPS won't know where this is, so here are the GPS coordinates N36° 06.162', W84° 43.280'.The trailhead is located on the North side of the parking lot. All you need to do is follow the sign for Point Trail. The trail culminates at an e...
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  • Lancing, Tennessee

    Take in the View at Lilly Bluff Overlook

    5.0
    0.6 mi / 0 ft gain
    Honestly 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...
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  • Corryton, Tennessee

    Hike House Mountain, TN

    5.0
    3 mi
    House Mountain is a short, at times strenuous hike that is doable in all weather conditions. Going at different times of year can be a treat due to the unique beauty of each season adding some spice to this quick trip. There are 5-7 switchbacks to push through, but the view atop House Mountain am...
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  • 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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  • Rockwood, Tennessee

    Ozone Falls

    4.2
    0.35 mi / 43 ft gain
    This beautiful, 110-foot waterfall is an easy 15-minute walk from the parking area. Note that the walk down to the falls, although short, is steep and there isn’t a well-marked trail down. It’s more about choosing the path of least resistance.  Also, it can get quite busy in the summer time espec...
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  • Tallassee, Tennessee

    Hike to Look Rock Tower

    5.0
    1 mi / 300 ft gain
    Look Rock tower has spectacular views and is a great hike to enjoy year round. The tower is an old fire tower used for spotting smoke in the valley. Because of this the tower is placed on the highest ridge around making for some amazing views. The only way to get to the tower is along the Foothil...
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  • Walland, Tennessee

    Drive the Foothills Parkway National Scenic Byway

    5.0
    The foothills parkway runs parallel to the Great Smoky Mountains. It is 38.6 miles in total with the longest section at 33.0 miles. There are a few different places to get on to the parkway. There is one entrance near Fontana, Walland, Wears Valley, and Cosby. However Cosby is a smaller section a...
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  • Kodak, Tennessee

    Bobwhite Trail

    2 mi / 100 ft gain
    This is a great and easy hike through the Seven Islands Birding State Park. This park is located in east Knoxville and is one only 20 minutes from downtown Knoxville. The trail starts at the Seven Islands Birding Park parking lot that has a beautiful garden with lots of wildflowers. The trail is ...
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  • Kodak, Tennessee

    Kelly Lane Greenway

    2.5 mi / 50 ft gain
    This trail is located in the Seven Islands Birding State Park. This park is east of Knoxville only about 20 minutes from downtown Knoxville. The park is small but there is plenty of beauty and lots of hiking trails in the area. At the beginning of the trail there is a gorgeous flower garden and a...
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  • Oneida, Tennessee

    Hike Honey Creek Loop

    5.6 mi
    The trailhead of the  5.6-mile Honey Creek outer loop can be found at the Big South Fork National River - Honey Creek Trailhead Overlook in Robbins, TN  37852. This trail is marked by dark green blazes and is one of the park's most challenging to hike. While the trail is rugged, it is easy to get...
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  • Tallassee, Tennessee

    Abrams Falls Trail

    4.8
    4.96 mi / 625 ft gain
    One of the biggest perks of hiking Abrams Falls is the drive to get there. The trailhead is located approximately 5 miles into the scenic Cades Cove Loop. Cades Cove is an adventure in itself. Keep your eye out for black bears, deer and wild turkey. If you are taking the self guided auto tour, Ab...
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  • Grandview, Tennessee

    Hike to Piney Falls

    5.0
    1.5 mi / 500 ft gain
    The 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 fa...
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  • Oneida, Tennessee

    Short hike to East Rim Overlook

    0.2 mi / 50 ft gain
    This trail is located in Big South Fork National Recreation Area. This is more of a walk than a hike. The entire trail is paved except for the wooden boardwalk overlook at the end. The overlook shows the gorgeous views of the river valley and some of the rock formations in the area. The trail is ...
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  • Townsend, Tennessee

    Gregory Bald via Gregory Ridge Trail

    5.0
    11.3 mi / 3020 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • 35.604955,-83.770373

    Hike to Rocky Top

    5.0
    12.8 mi / 3500 ft gain
    Rocky Top is known to be the spot that inspired the famous fight song of the University of Tennessee, which is also an official song for the state of Tennessee.  The trailhead for this hike begins in the Cade’s Cove picnic area parking lot towards the back side. There are a few parking spots ri...
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  • Townsend, Tennessee

    Backpack to Spence Field

    13.8 mi / 3100 ft gain
    Start your hike at Anthony Creek Trailhead (elevation 1,800 ft), in the Cade’s Cove area. The trailhead is located at the far end of the day-use picnic area near Cade’s Cove campground. There are a few parking spots right at the trailhead, but note that the picnic area closes at dusk (a gate clos...
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