National Scenic Trails: The Best 50 Miles
On its 50th birthday, the National Scenic Trails system boasts nearly 19,000 miles. Not sure where to start? We’ve scoured the whole network to bring you the best 50 miles.
Tennessee Trails
The Ruby Falls
NPS
Tennessee, located in the southeastern U.S., is home to various ranges of the Appalachian Mountains, including the Bald and Great Smokies, among others. The Appalachian Valley, made up of low ridges and hills, lies to the west of the mountains.
Tennessee is home to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles the border with North Carolina. The park is America's most visited, and features stunning peaks, lush forests and year-round, vibrant wildflowers.
The editors at Backpacker have created an extensive collection of popular trails and trips for hiking and backpacking Tennessee.
Help Build These 10 Hiking Trails of Tomorrow
Protecting land is only the first step. Hikers need trails, and trails don’t build themselves. Grab a Pulaski and create new paths and restore lost routes on these 10 trips.
Hitting the (Whiskey) Trail in Tennessee
Stretch your legs and wet your whistle on this 600-odd-mile journey through America's bourbon country.
America's Best Huts: Roan High Knob Shelter
When the climb up to Roan High Knob lands the weary at the foot of a four-walled 1933 log cabin, it might as well be a five-star hotel.
10 Classic Peakbagging Lists You Need to Tick
From the Adirondack 46ers to Everest By the Sea, these are ten to-do lists you'll be happy to tackle.
The Best Day Hikes in America: Tennessee
Head here midweek to get 256-foot Fall Creek Falls to yourself.
The Best National Park Campsites: Sheep Pen Gap
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Where to Hike for Free on Black Friday
Forget standing in line at the store. Spend the 27th on the trail with free admission and other perks from these parks.
Chattanooga, TN: Savage Gulf Loop
Loop through Savage Gulf and you'll be rewarded with 50-foot cascades, swimming holes, see-forever views, and an amazing campsite. BY ERIC HARRISON
Hesse Creek, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN/NC
Even locals hardly know about this secluded spot
The 20 Best Backcountry Lakes: Calderwood Lake
Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, Tennessee/North Carolina
Best 100 Miles: Andrews Bald to Jonas Creek Junction, Great Smoky Mountains NP, TN/NC
These 8 miles of Appalachian dream are among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.
Wildlife Hot Spots in America
It’s a zoo out there. Snag close-ups of bears, birds, and elk on these late-summer dayhikes.
Chattanooga: Chickamauga CreekTrail
This 5.6-mile loop climbs the woody spine of Dick's Ridge, then meanders along a twisting mountain stream in a hilly section of Chattahoochee National Forest.
Chattanooga: Taylor Ridge Trail
Amble 5.2 miles on this easy out-and-back along an ancient weathered ridgeline with views of the broad valley below and the Tennesee border in the distance.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Spence Field Loop
Wander from bubbling cascades to scenic balds to wide ridgelines to old-growth forest on this classic 12.5-mile, 2-day loop in the shadow of several 5,000-foot peaks.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Big Creek Loop
Climb Mt. Sterling and hike through history on this 16.4-mile loop through the eastern Smokies.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Snake Den Ridge Trail
Rising 2,500-plus feet over 4.6 miles, this strenuous trail zigzags through hemlock and rhododendron to a pair of exposed ridges with long Appalachian views.
Knoxville: Honey Creek Loop
Squeeze through house-sized boulders and pass tranquil waterfalls on this 4.6-miler in the rugged highlands of the Big South Fork River.
Knoxville: Twin Arches Loop
This 4.8-mile loop ranks as one of the best dayhikes on the Cumberland Plateau, thanks to whitewater cascades, giant twin arches, and a rustic lodge.
Chattanooga: West Rim Loop
This easy 4-mile loop plunges you into a deep canyon to view high waterfalls, then skirts up the canyon rim, passing impressive overlooks in Cloudland Canyon State Park.
Memphis: Chickasaw Bluff
Stay found on this scantily marked 7.7-miler into hardwood forests and bird-filled swamps. This one-way trek ends at Poplar Lake in Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Deep Creek Loop Trail
This moderate 5.5-mile loop on the eastern boundary of the Smokies combines stellar woodland hiking with superb waterfall exploration.
