Sevier County, Tennessee

There are many trailheads leading into the wilderness on either the Tennessee or North Carolina side. My favorite is the Big Fat Gap trail on the North Carolina side at an elevation of 3,060'. To see the best of what this area has to offer take the Hangover Lead South Trail to the 5,180' Hangover...

Lovers Leap Loop trail is a 1.8 mile loop in Hot Springs, NC. The address of the trailhead is 138 Silver Mine Rd, Hot Springs, NC 28743. Once you arrive at the parking lot, you will see a trail leading up into the mountain with a post next to it. This is where you want to begin. It is part of the...

The beauty of this trail starts at the parking lot. Before you start the trail, you will find a picnic table near the parking lot and go down to the edge of the rolling stream. Its a great spot to hear the stream and take some pictures. If you are feeling adventurous you can try to hop from rock ...

8:30 a.m. and we’re winding our way down Highway 129 near Robbinsville, NC. The fog is still thick over the Little Tennessee River as we slow down crossing the bridge into Graham County. “I think we missed it,” I say as we continue onward. Within minutes the Tapoco Lodge comes into view. My pre-h...

Rich Mountain fire tower is located in the Cherokee National Forest just outside of Hot springs North Carolina. Getting there is pretty easy once you get off of US 25W you drive up a gravel road for about 5 miles until you get to the tower. Once you get to the top its about a 100 foot walk until ...

Judaculla was an ancient Cherokee spirit being and giant. He ruled in western North Carolina in the traditional Cherokee homeland. Once while chasing some hunters, when he jumped to the ground, his hand hit a rock. You can still see the print on Judaculla Rock. It is the most elaborate piece of r...

There are a few options for getting to Citico Creek, you can either go up the windy gravel road from US 411 or get off of the Cherohala Skyway and go down the mountain past the Indian Boundary campground. The Citico Creek campground has about 5 or 6 spots but is rarely full because it is very sec...

Laurel River Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Marshall, North Carolina.

The Melton Hill Trails in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, offer a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, birding, fishing, and paddling. Located along the picturesque Melton Hill Lake, these trails provide scenic views and diverse terrains for outdoor enthusiasts. Hours of Oper...

The Wayah Bald Lookout Tower is located in Nantahala National Forest in one of the oldest part of the protected land. It was first built in the 1920s then it was rebuilt throughout the years until it was finally made out of stone and concrete. The current tower that stands offers great views of t...

Huckleberry Knob is the highest point in the Cheoah Ranger District at 5,560 feet, and it offers expansive views of the surrounding Cherokee and Natahala National Forest. The hike is 2.4 miles roundtrip and begins at the parking lot between mile 8 and 9 up an old dirt road. You will go up the di...

Norris Dam State Park Campground Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Rocky Top, Tennessee.

The Slab and Eternity hole, located on the East Fork of the Tuckasegee River, are two of Western, NC's best play spots for kayakers of all levels. Paddle down only yards from the public boat launch to The Slab where you can perfect your surfing in kayak, SUP, or whatever boat you float. A few hun...

Hooper bald is one of the highest points in Graham County so the views from the top can be spectacular year round.  The trail-head starts at mile marker 8 on the Cherohala Skyway. From the trail-head you start your accent on a semi-paved trail and walk about a half-mile before reaching the edge o...

To get to the trailhead, drive 22.5 miles on the Cherohala Skyway from Tellico Plains, Tennessee. If you are coming from the North Carolina side, drive 20.5 miles to the trailhead. The trailhead parking area is marked by a large green sign saying West Rattlesnake and is surrounded by a low stone ...

You will start your hike off of the Cherohala Skyway. The trail-head is a small asphalt pull-off on the right if you are coming from Tellico Plains. From the trail-head the trail starts up and almost all of the trial is an uphill incline on the way there with about 700 feet of elevation change ov...