tennessee
Are you looking to get outdoors and explore some of Tennessee's best hiking trails? Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just getting started, there are plenty of scenic routes in the Volunteer State waiting for you. From sprawling national forests with miles of winding paths, to peaceful nature preserves that make for an ideal afternoon outing, these top-notch trails provide an opportunity for exploration—and maybe even a little adventure! Join us as we dive into the best places to go on your next outdoor escapade in Tennessee.
Tennessee is home to many beautiful hiking trails that offer a variety of landscapes and experiences. Here are a few of the top hiking trails in the state:
- The Great Smoky Mountains National Park: This park is home to more than 800 miles of hiking trails, including the popular Alum Cave Trail, which leads to a beautiful cave and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
- The Obed Wild and Scenic River: This park is home to a variety of trails, including the popular Lilly Bluff Overlook Trail, which offers panoramic views of the river and surrounding landscape.
- The Cherokee National Forest: This forest is home to more than 600 miles of hiking trails, including the popular John Muir Trail, which offers a challenging backcountry experience.
- The Savage Gulf State Natural Area: This area is home to more than 50 miles of hiking trails, including the popular Stone Door Trail, which leads to a beautiful natural arch.
- The Virgin Falls State Natural Area: This area is home to a variety of trails, including the popular Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness Trail, which leads to a beautiful waterfall.
Tennessee has some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the country. And there are many benefits to getting out and enjoying nature. Hiking can improve your mental and physical health, it's a great way to spend time with family and friends, and it can help you connect with the world around you. So get out there and enjoy all that Tennessee has to offer! And when you're ready for a break from all the hiking, be sure to take some time off to relax at one of our many vacation rentals.
Hiking Trails
| Name | Rating | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Abrams Falls Trail | Easy trail to Abrams Falls | |
| Albright Cove-Maddron Bald Loop Trail | Trail through one of the largest stands of virgin poplar in eastern Tennessee | |
| Alum Cave Bluffs | The most popular route to Mount LeConte | |
| Angel Falls Overlook Trail | Difficult but scenic trail through Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area | |
| Anthony Creek-AT-Russel Field Trail Loop | Scenic loop through Great Smoky Mountains National Park | |
| Appalachian Trail (Carvers Gap to U.S. Highway 19E) | Difficult 2-day backpacking trip along the North Carolina/Tennessee border | |
| Appalachian Trail (Clingmans Dome to Silers Bald) | Portion of the AT offering stunning views | |
| Appalachian Trail (Dennis Cove to U.S. Highway 321) | An especially scenic and diverse portion of the AT | |
| Appalachian Trail (Newfound Gap to Charlies Bunion) | Hiking trail within Great Smoky Mountains National Park | |
| Azalea Combination Trail | A combination of several hiking trails in Big Hill Pond State Rustic Park | |
| Bald River Falls Trail | Follows Bald River from Bald River falls to Forest Road 126 | |
| Benton Falls Trail | Short, level hiking trail from Lake McCamy to Benton Falls | |
| Bluff Trail | Hiking trail through Lookout Mountain-Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park | |
| Burgess Falls Trail | Trail to the impressive Burgess Falls | |
| Chickasaw Bluffs Trail | Trail along the western side of the bluffs | |
| Chimney Tops | Scenic vistas and rugged rock outcroppings | |
| Clingmans Dome | Highest point in Great Smoky Mountains | |
| Couchville Lake Trail | Paved loop around Couchville Lake | |
| Council House Trail | Loop through Red Clay State Historical Park | |
| Council of Trees Trail | Peaceful hike through Red Clay State Historical Park | |
| Dry Ridge Trail (Big Hill Pond State Park) | Trail along a lake to an observation tower | |
| Enclosure Wall Trail | Hiking loop in Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Area | |
| Fairview Gullies Loop | Hiking trail through eroded portion of Natchez Trace State Park | |
| Fall Creek Falls - Gorge Overlook Trail | Combination of two scenic trails in Fall Creek Falls State Park | |
| Falls Branch Trail | Hiking trail to a beautiful waterfall | |
| Fern Trail | Interpretive trail in Natchez Trace State Park | |
| Fiery Gizzard Trail | Difficult but interesting overnight trail along Fiery Creek Gorge | |
| Flats Mountain Trail | Hiking trail from Flat Mountain to Beehouse Gap | |
| Fodderstack Trail | Hiking trail along three Tennessee mountains | |
| Fort Henry Trails | A series of ten interconnecting loop trails | |
| Fort Pillow Historic Trail | Loop through historic grounds relating to the battle of Fort Pillow | |
| Grundy Forest Day Loop | Hiking trail in Grundy Forest State Natural Area | |
| Hidden Passage Trail | Moderately difficult loop through Pickett State Park | |
| Hidden Springs Trail | Loop through Cedars of Lebanon State Park and Forest | |
| Honey Creek Loop | Hiking trail through Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area | |
| John Muir Trail | 20-mile trail from Childers Creek to Brushy Creek | |
| Johnsonville Redoubts Trail | Hiking trail through Civil War-era redoubts and rifle pits | |
| Laurel Falls | Hiking trail past Laurel Falls to Cove Mountain | |
| Laurel Snow Trail | Hiking trail through the Pocket Wilderness | |
| Limestone Sinks Trail | A self-guided tour of limestone formations | |
| Little River Road Trail | The synchronous firefly show occurs in June | |
| Lower Gap-Mount Cammerer-AT Loop Trail | Overnight trail in Great Smoky Mountain National Park | |
| Lower Loop - Cane Creek Overnight Trail | Overnight hike along Cane Creek Gulf | |
| Marguerite Falls Trail | Hiking trail to Marguerite Falls in Cherokee National Forest | |
| Meeman-Shelby Woodland Trail | Hilly loop through a diverse and interesting forest | |
| Middle Prong Trail | Gravel trail follows beautiful Middle Prong branch of the Little River | |
| Montgomery Bell Overnight Trail | Hiking trail along the perimeter of Montgomery Bell State Park | |
| North Old Mac Mountain Trail | Hiking trail in Frozen Head State Park | |
| North Rim-North Plateau Loop | Combines North Rim Trail and North Plateau Trail in South Cumberland State Recreation Area | |
| North-South Trail (Tennessee Section) | The Tennessee section of the 65-mile hiking trail | |
| Ozone Falls Trail | Short hike to Ozone Falls | |
| Piney River Trail | Hiking trail along Duskin Creek and Piney River | |
| Pinson Mounds Nature Trail | Hike through a large Indian mound group | |
| Radnor Lake Trail | Hike along the bank of Radnor Lake | |
| Rainbow Falls Trail | Follow LeConte Creek up to the Falls | |
| Ramsay Cascades Trail | Hiking trail to a beautiful waterfall in Great Smoky Mountain National Park | |
| Riverside and Indian Mounds Trail | Hiking trail in Shiloh National Military Park | |
| Rogers Ridge Trail | Trail along ridgetops in the Watauga District | |
| Savage Day Loop | Hiking loop past Savage Falls Overlook and Rattlesnake Point | |
| Short Loop | Peaceful hike through a natural area | |
| Squibb Creek Trail | Trail in the Cherokee National Forest that goes past numerous waterfalls and cascades | |
| Stone Door Trail | Easy hiking trail to the Great Stone Door in South Cumberland State Recreation Area | |
| Three-Mile Trail | Hiking trail along a ridge in Nathan Bedford Forrest State Historic Area | |
| Trillium Gap Trail (Grotto Falls) | Walk behind Grotto Falls | |
| Twin Arches - Charit Creek Loop | Combination of the Twin Arches Loop and Charit Creek Loop | |
| Virgin Falls Trail | Hiking trail past some really stunning waterfalls | |
| Whigg Meadows Trail | Short trail to Whigg Meadow |