Knoxville, Tennessee
Looking for the best hiking in Knoxville? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Knoxville. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Knoxville
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Wartburg, Tennessee
Hike to Frozen Head State Park Fire Tower
4.54.5 mi / 1300 ft gainTo get to this hike the easiest way is to go up Petros hwy near the closed Brushy Mountain State prison. The trailhead is a large gravel lot on the side of the road. The trail is an old road so it is wide and well taken care of. However, the trail is very steep all the way up. The trail has only ...Read more -
Sevierville, Tennessee
Spelunking in Forbidden Caverns
5.0When 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...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Grotto Falls Trail
5.01.83 mi / 585 ft gainThis is an intermediate hike along Trillium Gap Trail. There are four stream crossings on your way to the falls as you hike through an idyll, often wildflower-sprinkled landscape. Late spring is best for catching blooms. Once at the waterfall, you can walk behind the cascade of water. This is a ...Read more -
Wartburg, Tennessee
Hike to Debord and Emory Gap Falls in Frozen Head SP
4.33.2 mi / 465 ft gainThe trail head begins just over the bridge and is labeled as the Panther Branch trail head. To began you will continue straight and within .6 miles of hiking you will come to the first waterfall on a branch off on the right side of the trail. This first waterfall is Debord Falls and it can be eas...Read more -
Wartburg, Tennessee
Old Mac Mountain and Frozen Head Firetower
6.42 mi / 1906 ft gainOld Mac Mountain and Frozen Head Firetower is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Wartburg, Tennessee.Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hike the Chimney Tops
4.94.03 mi / 1487 ft gainThe Chimney Tops Trail is one of the most visited trails in the Smokies, which is why I recommend going up just before sunset to beat the crowd! During the summer and fall months, it's common to see a hundred people taking in the views on the same trail, but if you scramble on out after hours, y...Read more -
Unnamed Road, Tennessee
Hike to Hatfield Knob Elk Viewing Tower
1 mi / 200 ft gainHIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A 4WD VEHICLE OR ALL WHEEL DRIVE. The road to the trail-head can be very dangerous at times because of mud and debris, because of this an all wheel drive at least is very useful if you only have a 2WD car or truck I suggest only going in dry conditions. When you get t...Read more -
Robbinsville, North Carolina
Gregory Bald via Twentymile
4.015.42 mi / 3694 ft gainGregory Bald via Twentymile is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Robbinsville, North Carolina.Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hike to Mt. LeConte via Alum Cave Bluff
5.010.68 mi / 3982 ft gainThe Alum Cave trailhead is on Newfound Gap Road, 8 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Mt. LeConte is the third highest peak in the Smokies, and this is an extremely popular hike, so arrive early to get a parking spot and beat the crowds. Starting from the parking lot the trail gently wind...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Fern Branch Falls
5.03.7 mi / 700 ft gainTake 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...Read more -
35.629385,-83.450994
Camp out at Mt. LeConte Lodge via Alum Cave
5.09.96 miAt the summit of Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the lodge sits at a elevation of 6400 feet. It is the only "accommodations" inside the park boundaries. It is the highest lodge in the eastern United States. Accessible only by hiking one of the five trails to the summit,...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Appalachian Trail: Charlie's Bunion and Kephart Loop
5.016.84 mi / 4429 ft gainAppalachian Trail: Charlie's Bunion and Kephart Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Cherokee, North Carolina.Read more -
Fontana Dam, North Carolina
Shuckstack Fire Tower
5.08.84 mi / 2605 ft gainYour Shuckstack adventure starts at the Fontana Dam outside of Bryson City, NC. As the highest dam East of the Rocky Mountains, it's a sight on its own. This will be your last chance to fill up water bottles and use the restroom so take advantage. You can leave on foot from the dam and continue ...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hike to the Ramsey Cascades
4.97.83 mi / 2190 ft gainThis 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...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Clingmans Dome
4.41.23 miThe drive to Clingmans Dome is miles of scenic overlooks that provide endless views of ridges and valleys. Clingmans Dome Road comes to a parking lot from which you follow a .5 mile paved trail to the summit. There are also several trails that start on Clingmans Dome Road. Most notably The Appal...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Andrews Bald
5.03.55 mi / 1200 ft gainThe trail begins at the Clingmans Dome parking lot, just to the left of the paved walkway up to Clingmans Dome. You will start the hike at an elevation of 6130 feet which is only 334 feet less than Clingmans Dome which is the highest point in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and the second...Read more