Tallassee, Tennessee

Getting to the trailhead can be a challenge if there has been any heavy precipitation or icy conditions due to the fact the last two miles are one mile of broken pavement and the last mile a dirt road. You should be fine in good conditions in any car; however, just make sure to take it easy on th...

The road leading to the trailhead is rough the last mile, but doable in any car. Just make sure to take it easy going up and be careful, especially if there has been any rain or snow. You will have reached the parking area for the hike once you see a large green Appalachian trail sign and a few...

Kephart Prong is a pretty easy hike in close proximity to the Visitor Center on the North Carolina Side of GSMNP. 2 miles up the trail, you'll arrive at Kephart Shelter, where you can rest and enjoy vies of the Kephart Prong. Once you've had your fill, head back down the way you came.  During th...

Charlies Bunion via Kephart Loop is a loop trail located near Cherokee, North Carolina. This is a longer version of the Charlies Bunion hike starting from the Newfound Gap parking lot. The added benefit of this longer loop is the opportunity to see more of the Great Smokey Mountains! You'll pass ...

The parking at the trailhead is right off of the Oak Ridge turnpike so its very easy to park and there are plenty of spots to park. The trail is very wide and is a great place for taking kids and riding your bike. There are more than one trail that you can take to get to the quarry from the trail...

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...

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...

To visit the falls, take US-74 west from Bryson City to exit 64 . Take a left at the exit and drive on Alarka Road for about 10 miles. Follow the road all the way to the end where you will find a turnaround. Don't make the mistake of following the forest service road (it is gated), as it is not ...

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...

Although it is not much of a hike at just 0.3 miles, it is accessible to people of all fitness levels.  A climb up a series of stairs leads you to a trail overlooking Mingo creek.  You will then find a 20 foot wide bridge which serves as the viewing platform of the falls.   If you care to advent...

When exploring all that Tennessee has to offer, it’s hard to ignore the fact it is home to more caves than any other state in America. So when picking one, of more than 10,000, to explore it is hard to go wrong. Forbidden Caverns happens to be one of the most popular spots and is only a few minut...

The Appalachian Trail does not need a lot of hype beyond its existing legendary status.  However, there are certain parts of it that do stand out as being a little extra special.  Siler Bald is one of those spots.  A large clearing starting from Snowbird Gap and going all the way up to Siler Bald...

Hidden in the eastern reaches of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cosby region receives a fraction of the visitation of Gatlinburg or Cherokee. This section of the park preserves some of the best deciduous old-growth forest in the eastern United States. Individual tulip trees and eastern ...

Turtletown Falls Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Farner, Tennessee.

The Cowee Bald Fire Tower is located in the Nantahala National Forest near Bryson City North Carolina. To get there you can either drive almost all the way to the top about .2 miles from the top but to get there you will need to have a 4WD or a higher clearance vehicle to cross a small stream. Ho...

The Panther Top fire tower is located in the Nantahala National Forest outside of Murphy, NC. To get there you get off of US 74 then turn onto panther top rd and continue till you see the signs for the tower. Once you get there the hike is about .75 there mostly up on the way to the top of the to...