The Best Backpacking in Shady Valley

Rich Knob via Appalachian Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Shady Valley, Tennessee.

Little Stoney Creek to Chestnut Flats is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Elizabethton, Tennessee.

Beargap Trail to Appalachian Trail to Virginia Creeper Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Damascus, Virginia.

Virginia Creeper National Recreational Trail is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Whitetop, Virginia.

Appalachian Trail: Dennis Cove to Watauga Lake is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Hampton, Tennessee.

Laurel Falls via Appalachian Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Hampton, Tennessee.

Starting at the Elk Garden Parking Area hike the Appalachian Trail south (do not cross the road, follow the trail from the parking area). Hike along the trail following the white blazes and at 2.4 miles you'll reach a campsite on your left. This is a great place to camp overnight if you decide to...

Appalachian Trail: 19E to Hump Mountain is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Roan Mountain, Tennessee.

For an awesome 2-3 day trip, start hiking at the Massie Gap trailhead, which can be reached from Grayson Highlands State Park. Take the Rhododendron Trail up the ridge to connect with the AT, keeping an eye out for wild ponies in the Massie Gap area as they like to hang out here. Some of these po...

Spanning roughly 4500 acres, located in a portion of Jefferson National Forest, looming under the highest peak in Virginia lies the Grayson Highlands. A part of Virginia’s State Parks system and a United States National Landmark, located in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, the Highlands are home to wil...

First of all, who doesn't love wild ponies!  There are tons of ponies here, and although they are wild, they are not afraid of people and you can get pretty close (just don't feed them!).   Once you enter Grayson Highlands State Park, you will see a parking lot for Massie Gap a few miles in, par...

Calloway Peak via Profile Trail is an out-and-back trail with waterfall views located near Banner Elk, North Carolina in Grandfather Mountain State Park.

Fork Knob, White Rock and The Noggin Loop is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Johnson City, Tennessee.

Bradley Gap rests along the Appalachian Trail overlooking North Carolina and Tennessee mountains. Part of the Roan Highlands, Bradley Gap can be accessed via Yellow Mountain Gap Trailhead. Follow the Roaring Fork Trail from the trailhead until you intersect the Appalachian Trail (White Blaze) app...

Appalachian Trail: Carvers Gap to Yellow Mountain Barn is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Bakersville, North Carolina.

Once you've parked at Carver's Gap (5500'), the trailhead is pretty easy to find. Simply cross the highway and jump onto the Appalachian Trail, right on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. Head north on the AT as you head through the Roan Mountain Balds. In the very beginning of the hike,...