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.

hero

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

© 2020 Mergate Solutions, LLC. All rights reserved.