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Tennessee

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Tennessee

  • Cosby, Tennessee

    Hike to Hen Wallow Falls in Great Smoky Mountains NP

    5.0
    4.57 mi
    Start your adventure by parking in the Cosby Picnic Area Parking Lot near the entrance of the Cosby Campground. (127 Cosby Picnic Area Rd, Cosby, TN 37722.) Then backtrack through the parking lot about 100 yards until you see the sign marking the start of Gabes Mountain Trail.  The trek to Hen W...
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  • Grandview, Tennessee

    Hike to Piney Falls

    5.0
    1.5 mi / 500 ft gain
    The gravel road heading to the trailhead is on the rougher side to take it slow. When you get to the trailhead it’s a small gravel pull off right off the road. There are no maps at the trailhead but there are only a few trails to take and they are marked with a blue marker. To get to the upper fa...
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  • Altamont, Tennessee

    Hike the Falls Loop Trail in South Cumberland State Park

    4.5
    3.2 mi / 500 ft gain
    Nestled in the Savage Gulf State Natural Area, the popular Falls Loop Trail begins across from the Greeter Falls parking lot. At 0.4 miles into the hike you'll reach a fork in the trail, take the left route towards Boardtree Falls. Right before reaching the waterfall you'll come upon a suspension...
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  • Townsend, Tennessee

    Gregory Bald via Gregory Ridge Trail

    5.0
    11.3 mi / 3020 ft gain
    The Gregory Bald summit is indisputably picturesque – the 10-acre meadow at the top hosts magnificent azalea blooms in June, wild blueberries in August, and views of Cades Cove, Rich Mountain, Fontana Lake, Thunderhead Mountain, and Clingmans Dome, year-round. Start this hike at the Gregory Ridg...
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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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  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Hike to Upper Meigs Falls

    5.0
    3.55 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Parking available off of Little River Gorge Road (State Hwy. 73) at The Sinks/Meigs Creek Trailhead. The trail starts with winding elevation gain until it crests around 1 mile into the hike (notice pine trees at higher elevation). After the crest it starts descending towards Meigs Creek. While f...
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  • Jamestown, Tennessee

    Twin Arches Loop

    1.22 mi / 177 ft gain
    The trail starts at the parking lot which has some nice bathrooms and a nice small picnic area that is open year-round. From the trailhead, you will follow the signs that will lead you to a short mostly flat, 7-mile hike to the first arch. Once you get to the first arch there is a small area with...
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  • Scenic Loop Road, Tennessee

    Hike to the Base of Fall Creek Falls

    5.0
    0.86 mi / 299 ft gain
    Fall Creek Falls State Park hosts a variety of large waterfalls which can easily become confusing. The park's main attraction is the 256 foot waterfall dubbed "Fall Creek Falls." Fall Creek Falls is observable from a viewing platform less than a five minute walk from the Scenic Loop Road parking ...
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  • Oneida, Tennessee

    Backpack to Angel Falls Overlook in the Big South Fork

    4.0
    6.4 mi / 800 ft gain
    Starting at a very small parking space, you head onto a fairly overgrown trail for half a mile. The trail then begins to thin out and is not as overgrown. Keeping a steady incline, you almost instantly feel the burn in your calves.  At around 2 miles in, there is a single grave from a baby that l...
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  • Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee

    Bouldering Stone Fort, TN

    4.5
    0.25 mi
    Stone Fort sits atop the Cumberland Plateau just half an hour from downtown Chattanooga, and is one of the premiere bouldering locations in the Southeast. One of the three sites of the annual Triple Crown Bouldering competition, Stone Fort offers a wealth of climbing problems for any climber's a...
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  • Unicoi, Tennessee

    Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower via Fire Tower Road

    5.0
    3.47 mi / 663 ft gain
    Pinnacle Mountain hosts one of the nicest fire towers on the East Coast of the United States. The fire tower is relatively new, sturdy, and has a large 360 degree viewing area at the top. The tower overlooks the Downtown Johnson City area, Elizabethton, Erwin, and the rest of the Buffalo Mountain...
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  • Lancing, Tennessee

    Climb The Lilly Bluff Wall

    The Obed Wild and Scenic River is typically not found in the same conversations as Zion or Yosemite, but be assured this hidden gem of Tennessee is one of the East Coast's must climb destinations.There are a number of climbing areas within the Obed worth exploring, ranging from bouldering to mul...
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  • Lancing, Tennessee

    Take in the View at Lilly Bluff Overlook

    5.0
    0.6 mi / 0 ft gain
    Honestly this is hard to even call a trail, but that doesn't mean it lacks beauty. Once you take the right or left of off ridge Ridge Road make sure to go past the first parking lot and into the second larger parking lot. The trail starts near the front of the parking lot on the right side of the...
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  • Gruetli-Laager, Tennessee

    Hike to Suter and Horsepound Falls

    4.0
    6 mi / 1794 ft gain
    Located in South Cumberland State Park in the Savage Gulf section, this is a somewhat difficult 5 mile out-and-back viewing two waterfalls, cascades, creeks, rock shelters, and high bluffs. 2 miles past Suter Falls you'll come to Horsepound Falls, a unique waterfall formation with overlooks and l...
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  • Reliance, Tennessee

    Hike the Scenic Spur Trail

    5.0
    3.9 mi / 426 ft gain
    Very little elevation gain leads to an easy hike along a river right outside of the Ocoee river region. First .7 miles is very flat, then leads to some slight elevation gain but nothing too serious. This trail traverses through the lush forest for a short distance when you come across a small cre...
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  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Fern Branch Falls

    5.0
    3.7 mi / 700 ft gain
    Take Porters Creek Trail, a gravel road alongside Porters Creek. You will pass by an old farmstead and cemetery, as well as lots of wildflowers if you're out during the spring. In a mile, keep left, then in another half mile or so you should cross over a small (and somewhat harrowing) footbridge...
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