What to do and see in Tennessee, United States: The Best Hiking Trails

August 11, 2021 Timmy Ribble

Discover the best top things to do in Tennessee, United States including Alum Cave Trail, Ramsay Cascade, Fiery Gizzard Trail, Charlies Bunion, Upper Tremont Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Middle Prong Trail, Pocket Wilderness, Crockett Park, Machine Falls Loop Trail, Gregory Bald via Gregory ridge.
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1. Alum Cave Trail

Newfound Gap Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/chimneys-alternative-alum-cave-bluffs.htm
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 418 reviews

Alum Cave Trail

One of the most popular hikes in the park, it is the quick route to Mt. LeConte Lodge.

Reviewed By explorcation - Florida, United States

This trail is known to be the most hiked trail in the Smokies and for good reason. It follows a river in the beginning, takes you through a naturally formed rock arch and leads you to the Alum Cave Bluffs. You can decide how far you want to take the trail. If you want to do a full day hike you can take it all the way to the Mount LeConte peak! Hiking to the peak can take between 6 to 10 hours depending on your pace and how frequently you stop. The whole trail is so beautiful it would be hard to not stop frequently. This area is very popular, so arrive early to get a spot in the parking lot. During our visit many cars had to park along the side of the road. If you are planning a trip and want to see some video footage of the Alum Cave Trail check out our Alum Cave Trail hiking video on our YT Channel Explorcation. The link is in our bio. It also includes some more tips for visiting. Happy trip planning!

2. Ramsay Cascade

Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6 reviews

Ramsay Cascade

An 8 mile hike through the forest to the waterfalls.

3. Fiery Gizzard Trail

Fiery Gizzard Road Fiery Gizzard Road, Tracy City, TN, 37387, TN 37387 +1 931-924-2956 http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/south-cumberland
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 21 reviews

Fiery Gizzard Trail

Reviewed By tommym201

The scenery is stunning & picture postcard perfect. The trails are well marked (follow the small orange signs on trees), can be very rugged. Watch for large rocks & tree trunks hidden under fallen leaves. It's a fabulous full day workout.

4. Charlies Bunion

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/chimneys-alternative-charlies-bunion.htm
Excellent
89%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 123 reviews

Charlies Bunion

Reviewed By Susie1028 - San Diego, United States

This is a great hike in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trailhead is on the North Carolina/Tennessee border. There is plenty of parking a restrooms. From Newfound Gap, you will take the Appalachian Trail through the mountain's knobby divide to the stone outcrop called Charlie's Bunion. The rocky, treeless summit affords wonderful panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains. The hike is 8.1 miles roundtrip. In November when we hiked, there were many sections of snow and ice.

5. Upper Tremont Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Tremont Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN +1 865-448-6709 http://www.gsmit.org/
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 80 reviews

Upper Tremont Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Reviewed By KevinD3795

Beautiful place worth the drive. I little out of the way but what a gorgeous drive - October a great month to go too!

6. Middle Prong Trail

Upper Tremont Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/middle-prong-trail.htm
Excellent
88%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 25 reviews

Middle Prong Trail

Reviewed By Boxerfriend - Lake Villa, United States

I had wanted to do Grotto Falls but roaring forks road was closed. Needed something to fit my family and my husband who kaboshed Rainbow falls. Stunning trail! Nice and wide path with a slow incline. Amazing river views with small waterfalls along the way. Enough room for the boys 13 and 10 to play lightsaber type imaginings. The goal was to find Indian Flat Falls and head back. The falls are not marked and not on an “official” part of the trail. After the trail forks from Jakes creek, you stay right. The trail will narrow and become more challenging. At this point my kids were getting pretty crabby with me. The trail becomes more of a mountain type trail with switchbacks. After you cross a wood bridge and about 3-4 switchbacks look for beaten down path at a very large face rock wall on the right with the trail making a sharp left. Oh boy my whole family was about to give up. Don’t give up!! We were treated to a 2 tier waterfall with rocks to relax on and have lunch or a snack all to ourselves!!! It was so amazing and so worth it. My husband isn’t admitting it was worth it, definitely refreshed everybody though. Ended up being 8 miles and took us 5 hours including our rendezvous with the waterfall. So so awesome!!! Go for it!!

7. Pocket Wilderness

1099 Pocket Wilderness Road, Dayton, TN 37321 +1 423-566-2229 http://www.cumberlandtrail.org/maps-and-guides/trail-segments/laurel-snow/laurel-snow-sna-section/
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 14 reviews

Pocket Wilderness

8. Crockett Park

1500 Volunteer Pkwy, Brentwood, TN 37027-8458
Excellent
84%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 44 reviews

Crockett Park

Reviewed By SteveSedberry - Brentwood, United States

Walking/jogging/ bike paths galore! Plenty of soccer/football fields. The amphitheater is simply fabulous; the City hosts a number of concerts, fireworks, and special events. All kinds of playgrounds for the little ones. Thank-you Brentwood and Williamson County for this amazing place!

9. Machine Falls Loop Trail

Tullahoma, TN
Excellent
81%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 21 reviews

Machine Falls Loop Trail

Reviewed By J9300DBsuel

Great family friendly area to go hiking around. Be careful as elevation changes and roots are more exposed and rocks. Was a really nice hike and we enjoyed it.

10. Gregory Bald via Gregory ridge

Excellent
75%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8 reviews

Gregory Bald via Gregory ridge

A 10.8 mile hike featuring great views from a mountaintop meadow.

Reviewed By EnochWallace - Georgia, United States

Go in June, as we did. The 10-acre summit is littered with wild azalea bushes, and about a third of them were in bloom when we visited. The hike from the trailhead (reached from a side road off the Cades Cove loop), is 11 miles long round trip but mostly not challengingly steep. There's lots of space on the summit to enjoy your lunch, the azaleas, and the views.

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