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Bristol, Tennessee

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Bristol

  • Bristol, Tennessee

    Powerline Trail and Lakeside Trail Loop

    4.0
    3.77 mi / 797 ft gain
    Powerline Trail and Lakeside Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Bristol, Tennessee.
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  • Bristol, Tennessee

    Lake Ridge Trail and Lakeside Trail

    5.0
    4.56 mi / 669 ft gain
    Lake Ridge Trail and Lakeside Trail is a loop trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Bristol, Tennessee.
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  • Bristol, Tennessee

    Lake Ridge Trail to Cross Ridge Trail Loop

    5.0
    4.68 mi / 1368 ft gain
    Lake Ridge Trail to Cross Ridge Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Bristol, Tennessee.
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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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  • 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

    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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Elizabethton, Tennessee

    Flint Mill Trail

    5.0
    2.44 mi / 1302 ft gain
    Flint Mill Trail is an approximately 2.4 mile out-and-back trail in the Cherokee National Forrest. The trailhead is located on Flatwoods Road in Elizabethton, TN. The trail has a rather steep incline and is considered challenging. There is a 1,264 foot altitude change from the base to the top . T...
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  • Elizabethton, Tennessee

    Climb at Blue Hole Falls

    3.7
    0.1 mi / 0 ft gain
    From TN 91, turn onto Panhandle Road. Follow Panhandle for 1 mile and park in the parking lot to the left.  Waterfall Follow the path to your right downwards until you encounter wooden stairs. The main waterfall will be to your right less than .1 mile from the parking lot. There are two other wat...
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  • Saltville, Virginia

    Hike the Great Channels

    4.8
    6 mi / 1200 ft gain
    Park at the parking lot at the crest of Clinch Mountain at Hayters Gap on Rt. 80, and walk along the road (Raven Ridge Road) behind the gate. The trail is fairly easy with minimum elevation gain and follows an old road bed almost the whole way. Be sure to keep to the left when the road splits and...
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  • Hampton, Tennessee

    Hike to Laurel Fork Falls

    4.6
    2.6 mi / 600 ft gain
    From Hampton, Tennessee, take US-321S for about 3.5 miles. Turn right onto Dennis Cove Road and travel for 4 miles on this steep and very curvy mountain road.  The trailhead is where the Appalachian Trail (AT) crosses the road at a small gravel lot on the left.  Take the AT north on the trail lea...
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  • Hampton, Tennessee

    Hike and Traverse the Cables to Dennis Cove Falls

    5.0
    3.2 mi / 300 ft gain
    The Hike to Dennis Cove Falls includes three water crossings and passes several small waterfalls. Sturdy cables spanning the width of the water crossings provide a fun way of traversing the creek without wading. It is completely possible to wade through the creek while holding onto the cables for...
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  • Hampton, Tennessee

    Appalachian Trail: Dennis Cove to Watauga Lake

    8.08 mi / 1955 ft gain
    Appalachian Trail: Dennis Cove to Watauga Lake is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Hampton, Tennessee.
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  • Hampton, Tennessee

    Appalachian Trail: Dennis Cove to US 19E

    21.27 mi / 4843 ft gain
    Appalachian Trail: Dennis Cove to US 19E is a point-to-point trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Roan Mountain, Tennessee.
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