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Roan Mountain, Tennessee

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Roan Mountain

  • Bluff City, Tennessee

    Spelunk Worley's Cave

    5.0
    3.5 mi / 100 ft gain
    Worley’s Cave, also known as Morrill Cave, lies just outside of Boone across the Tennessee border. It is the second longest cave in the state of Tennessee at a whopping 4.4 miles in total length. It is a non-lit cavern that’s path is lit only by those who venture in its depths (i.e. headlamps, la...
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  • Newland, North Carolina

    Hike the Conley Cove Trail into Linville Gorge

    5.0
    2.6 mi / 1200 ft gain
    Follow the gravel old 105 to the parking lot at the Rock Jock Trailhead. Follow this trail a short distance until it splits to the left for Conley Cove. The Conley Cove trail descends over 1,200 ft. into the Linville Gorge, providing a glimpse into the dense and wild Pisgah National Forest. Shor...
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  • Bristol, Tennessee

    Bouton Loop Trail

    5.0
    1.45 mi / 157 ft gain
    The Bouton Trail Loop is an approximately 1.5 mile round trip on TVA land. There is a gravel parking lot with an information sign and trail map. Sections of the trail are gravel and sections are dirt. There are multiple places along the trail that cut off and lead down to the river for prime fish...
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  • Morganton, North Carolina

    Hawksbill Mountain Trail

    4.9
    1.87 mi / 633 ft gain
    Hidden far above the beautiful Linville Gorge stands Hawksbill Mountain, among many other fantastic hikes. The roughly 1.7 mile hike from the dusty gravel parking lot is steep but worth every step. It took me about an hour to conquer with a few water bottle-guzzling stops. At the top, you are al...
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  • Morganton, North Carolina

    Photograph Hawksbill Mountain at Sunrise or Sunset

    5.0
    1.5 mi / 860 ft gain
    The trail to the summit of Hawksbill begins on an unpaved road for the Pigsah National Forest. In about a half a mile the trail turns left just before reaching the Jonas Ridge Trail. This turn is an clearly marked turn with a sign for "Hawksbill Summit". The trail then becomes steeper and rocki...
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  • Bristol, Tennessee

    Spillway Trail

    5.0
    3.54 mi / 869 ft gain
    Spillway Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Bristol, Tennessee.
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  • Bristol, Tennessee

    Emmett Trail

    5.0
    2.16 mi / 194 ft gain
    The Emmett Trail is one of the TVA South Holston Tailwater Trails. This trail began as a footpath created by anglers. The trail now has gravel, which makes for easier access for families and pets. The trailhead begins on Piney Hill Road where it the traverses down to the waters edge and leads to ...
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  • Bristol, Tennessee

    Osceola Island Loop

    5.0
    1.52 mi / 95 ft gain
    The Osceola Island Loop is a 1.50 mile gravel loop on an island in the South Holston River. There are multiple benches along the loop to stop and observe the wildlife. Fishing is a common activity along the edge of the trail. There is a large parking area and bathrooms at the start of the trail.
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  • Bristol, Tennessee

    Tailwater Trail

    5.0
    0.95 mi / 30 ft gain
    The TVA Tailwater Trail is a 0.5 mile trail along the east side of South Fork Holston River. The trail is dirt and ends in an incline. Along the edge of the river, there are views of the distant Holston Mountain. This trail provides access to the river for fishing. It is located near the Emmett T...
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  • Todd, North Carolina

    Hike the Elk Knob Summit Trail

    5.0
    3.8 mi / 1000 ft gain
    There are no bathrooms at the trailhead, so if needed, drive a little past it to the park bathrooms on the left. Park at the summit trailhead and start your hike on the new gravel path. The trail gains 1000 ft in elevation in just under 2 miles so take your time if need be - and bring plenty of w...
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  • Morganton, North Carolina

    Little Table Rock Trail

    5.0
    2.73 mi / 1148 ft gain
    Little Table Rock Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Morganton, North Carolina.
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  • Morganton, North Carolina

    Hike to the Summit of Table Rock Mountain

    4.6
    2.2 mi / 572 ft gain
    Off of Highway 181, the trailhead is very clearly marked with a large parking lot. Although the trail is fairly short, make sure you have your footing, because the trail does switch back and forth in addition to gaining elevation -- it's pretty steep in some places! It's all worth it when you get...
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  • Morganton, North Carolina

    Camp at the Chimneys in the Linville Wilderness

    5.0
    1 mi / 138 ft gain
    The Chimneys area is a lesser-known camping destination within the Linville Wilderness. The Chimneys are a series of rock formations that rise above Linville Gorge and provide unobstructed panoramic views of the gorge and surrounding mountains. These rocks sit adjacent to Table Rock which hosts w...
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  • Spruce Pine, North Carolina

    Grassy Creek Falls

    1.5 mi / 312 ft gain
    Grassy Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall that lies on private property just north of Little Switzerland's downtown area. The trailhead is easy to find. From Little Switzerland simply go under the Blue Ridge Parkway and the driveway is immediately on the right. You will park at the top of the...
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  • Burnsville, North Carolina

    Backpack the Black Mountain Crest Trail

    12 mi / 5390 ft gain
    The Black Mountain Crest Trail is legendary among hikers in the southeast. It is the highest trail east of the Mississippi, as it traverses the summit of several peaks over 6,000 feet. It is also widely acknowledged as one of the premier hikes on the east coast. To whit, the trail immediately asc...
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  • Marion, North Carolina

    Hike the Rock Jock Trail

    6 mi / 700 ft gain
    One of the first things I noticed when researching this hike was the conflicting information regarding finding the trail head, length of the hike, and the hike's correct route. Hopefully, as of September 2017, this report will contain the most up-to-date information currently available. To find t...
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