Outbound Collective logo

Cosby, Tennessee

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Cosby

  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Tom Branch and Indian Creek Falls

    4.5
    1.76 mi
    From the Deep Creek Trailhead, you can hike to both waterfalls heading up the Deep Creek Trail. You will come across Tom Branch Falls quickly, after 0.2 miles. Once you've had your fill of Tom Branch, head further along the Deep Creek Trail for another 0.5 miles. Turn right on the Indian Creek Tr...
    Read more
  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Hike the Juney Whank Falls Loop

    4.0
    0.65 mi / 150 ft gain
    Starting at the Deep Creek Trailhead, take a short walk until the trail meets up with Juney Whank Falls Trail. From here, hang a left and head onto the Juney Whank Falls Trail. Once you've reached the falls, continue the loop to get back to the trailhead.  The falls are said to be named after Mr...
    Read more
  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Deep Creek Loop

    5.0
    5.01 mi / 892 ft gain
    After parking in the Deep Creek Campground parking lot follow the signs for the Deep Creek Trailhead. The Tom Branch waterfall is just .3 miles on the right side. Hike another .5 miles, at the next intersection stay right, and you will approach Indian Creek Falls. After viewing the falls you ca...
    Read more
  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Hike Three Waterfalls Loop

    5.0
    2.4 mi / 450 ft gain
    Start the loop by hiking the Juney Whank Falls Trail to Juney Whank Falls. The footbridge across the creek makes an excellent place to rest and take in the falls. Follow the trail across the bridge and up the bank. After about 300 feet take a right and follow Deep Creek Horse Trail towards Deep C...
    Read more
  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Hike to Lonesome Pine Overlook

    5.0
    7 mi / 2300 ft gain
    To start the hike to Lonesome Pine Overlook begin from the Noland Divide Trailhead in Deep Creek. The trail is a steady climb with an average gain of 700 ft. every mile. Approaching the top you'll walk along a rocky ridge line where you are able to see the overlook. As you continue, be sure to lo...
    Read more
  • Upper Tremont Road, Tennessee

    Hike to Indian Flat Falls via Middle Prong Trail

    4.5
    7.21 mi / 1140 ft gain
    One of the best trails in the Smokies is the Middle Prong Trail. The trail passes three major waterfalls, in addition to numerous smaller falls, cataracts and cascades. Once you've parked, you'll start at the trail head and immediately see your first cascade. From the trailhead hikers will cro...
    Read more
  • Sylva, North Carolina

    Pinnacle in Pinnacle Park

    5.0
    5.98 mi / 2142 ft gain
    Heading out from the parking area, head north on this challenging hike. For the majority of the hike, you'll have a pretty steady uphill charge. There are some flat parts between climbs, so be sure to catch your breath and get some water in during these times. Once you reach the fork, where you'...
    Read more
  • Townsend, Tennessee

    Spruce Flats Falls

    4.8
    1.64 mi / 495 ft gain
    To get to Spruce Flats Falls, you will want to drive down 2.2 miles down the scenic Tremont Road to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute and park in the visitor center parking area. You will then want to ascend up the gravel road past the sign that says restricted to unrestricted traffic (meaning ...
    Read more
  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Southern Smokies: Fontana Lake to Clingman's Dome

    4.5
    20.39 mi / 5750 ft gain
    This is a strenuous (though not technical) hike that really showcases the forests, creeks, and (eventually) the highest point of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As this is a point-to-point route, you will want to have two vehicles - one that you can leave at Clingman's Dome and one that you ...
    Read more
  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Explore Old 288 and the Lands Creek Bridge

    2.5
    1 mi
    NC 288 was constructed in the 1920's, but did not last long with the construction of the Fontana Dam as the resulting lake covered the highway. The U.S. government entered an agreement in which they would provide a replacement road, but to this day it has not been completed and is know by locals ...
    Read more
  • Walland, Tennessee

    Drive the Foothills Parkway National Scenic Byway

    5.0
    The foothills parkway runs parallel to the Great Smoky Mountains. It is 38.6 miles in total with the longest section at 33.0 miles. There are a few different places to get on to the parkway. There is one entrance near Fontana, Walland, Wears Valley, and Cosby. However Cosby is a smaller section a...
    Read more
  • Townsend, Tennessee

    Backpack to Spence Field

    13.8 mi / 3100 ft gain
    Start your hike at Anthony Creek Trailhead (elevation 1,800 ft), in the Cade’s Cove area. The trailhead is located at the far end of the day-use picnic area near Cade’s Cove campground. There are a few parking spots right at the trailhead, but note that the picnic area closes at dusk (a gate clos...
    Read more
  • 35.604955,-83.770373

    Hike to Rocky Top

    5.0
    12.8 mi / 3500 ft gain
    Rocky Top is known to be the spot that inspired the famous fight song of the University of Tennessee, which is also an official song for the state of Tennessee.  The trailhead for this hike begins in the Cade’s Cove picnic area parking lot towards the back side. There are a few parking spots ri...
    Read more
  • Marshall, Tennessee

    Appalachian Trail: Jones Meadow to Jerry Cabin Shelter

    7.58 mi / 909 ft gain
    Appalachian Trail: Jones Meadow to Jerry Cabin Shelter is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Greeneville, Tennessee.
    Read more
  • Greeneville, Tennessee

    Hike to Margarette Falls

    5.0
    2.7 mi / 715 ft gain
    To reach the trail head, take exit number 39 to Erwin/Jonesborough and turn onto State Route 81/107 west and stay on this for 6.5 miles. Then you will turn left to stay on Route 107 and continue on for 16 more miles. Then you will take a left on Route 351 and drive 4.5 miles. Then you will take a...
    Read more
  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Hike to Alarka Falls

    5.0
    1 mi / 100 ft gain
    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 ...
    Read more