The interstates take us to some fantastic places, but let us not forget the old country roads that still hide a plethora of incredible hidden gems. After all, some of the best places are where you cannot find cell service. We want to take you to some of the best East Tennessee hikes. Tennessee is filled with natural beauty all around us, and we highly recommend taking in this incredible countryside. Maybe it’s time to drive away from the city and find some of our state’s most wonderful views and waterfalls on this rural road trip.
This trip will take you down back roads and is remote but still accessible for most people in Eastern Tennessee. These are just some of the great things you can find on the road less traveled.
google maps Be sure to check out the itinerary for the full trip and directions. The total driving time is 2 hours and 15 minutes, and you will traverse a little over 80 miles. These hikes have beautiful views and great waterfalls. You will want to stretch this trip into two or even three days to fit everything in.
- Roan Mountain - Roan Mountain, TN
SarahPrince09/ Flickr Carvers Gap Trailhead, TN-143, Roan Mountain, TN 37687, USA
SarahPrince09/ Flickr Roan Mountain is not a hidden gem per se, but is a must for anyone in Eastern Tennessee. Head on up to Carvers Gap; this location is right on the border with North Carolina. You already start high up at around 5,000 feet in elevation in the parking lot. Hike up a grassy hill and into a forest. Soon you will be greeted by the ridgeline of the mountain. You can hike along this mountain for quite a distance. Sweeping views of the large mountain ranges are on both sides of you during your travels. This is said to be the prettiest spot on the Appalachian Trail, and you will not want to miss it. There are several ways to experience the trail depending on the time and length you want to accomplish. There are three balds - all with amazing views - but if you are short on time, at least make it to the first one, which is called Round Bald. You will not be disappointed.
- Red Fork Falls - Unicoi, TN
SarahPrince09 / Flickr
Lee McNeil/ Alltrails This is only a .6-mile trail with 164 feet of elevation gain. Do not be fooled by the numbers - this trail is steep. The trail is still fairly doable, but just know it can get very wet and the rocks are very slippery. That being said, the trail is a blast and will quickly lead to a beautiful waterfall with three sections. The top section is more like a stream with a little waterfall, but with the lush forest and natural beauty all around it, this makes for a peaceful spot. Heading on down to the second section of the waterfall, you will be greeted with a stunning flow of water falling straight down into the pool below. Climbing on the rocks, you will be able to see a natural waterslide carved into the rock itself. The last section is the calmest part, allowing a great stop to take a break and dip your feet in the water. Red Fork Falls, Unicoi, TN 37692, USA
- Martin’s Creek Falls - Banner Hill, TN
Jennifer Harrah/ Alltrails
Evan Haun/ Alltrails Martin’s Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall hike with little effort. This is a 2-mile hike with 364 feet of elevation gain, and the only difficult part is traversing down to the falls. The waterfall itself is a beautiful cascading fall splashing upon jagged rocks. It will only take you about an hour to complete and is a perfect place for a quick adventure. Martin Creek Falls, Banner Hill, TN 37650, USA
- Cherokee Moutain Road - Cherokee, TN
Jason Andrews/ Alltrails
Tim Hall/ Alltrials This simple trail does not consist of hard scrambling but gives way to sweeping views. This trail is a 2.9-mile loop hike with 754 feet of elevation gain and will mostly be following an old dirt road on a mountain. However, the biggest attraction is the incredible views you can have of the Cherokee Mountains. Also, be on the lookout under your feet for salamanders or unique butterflies. This trail is the closest you will get to civilization because it is right near Johnson City. Cherokee Mountain Road, Cherokee Mountain Rd, Tennessee, USA
- Margarette Falls - Greeneville, TN
SarahPrince09/ Flickr Margarette Falls Trailhead Parking Area, 1362 Shelton Mission Rd, Greeneville, TN 37743, USA
Noelle O’Brien/ Alltrials Here’s one more waterfall trail to round off this amazing road trip. This one is a 2.4-mile out-and-back hike with 623 feet of elevation gain. The first part of the trail is very easy as you walk down a very open rocky path. Then you turn and go deeper into the forest for more of that classic Tennessee trail look we all love. Lush vegetation and a beautiful stream will be following you the whole way up to the falls. Along the way, you can pass a bridge, climb up rock steps, and cross a stream. Once you arrive at Margarette Falls, you will be greeted with a magnificent waterfall cascading down jagged rocks. This little oasis takes some effort to get to, but when you do, it’s time to take off your shoes, dip your feet in the water, and watch the water fall into the clear pool below.
This trip takes you through some pretty amazing back roads with stunning views of mountains everywhere you turn. It is one trip we highly recommend for East Tennessee hikes. Feel free to add extra stops or hikes you want to suit your own adventure. These country roads may not be too far from civilization, but when you travel out they feel like a million miles away.
google maps
Be sure to check out the itinerary for the full trip and directions. The total driving time is 2 hours and 15 minutes, and you will traverse a little over 80 miles. These hikes have beautiful views and great waterfalls. You will want to stretch this trip into two or even three days to fit everything in.
SarahPrince09/ Flickr
Carvers Gap Trailhead, TN-143, Roan Mountain, TN 37687, USA
Roan Mountain is not a hidden gem per se, but is a must for anyone in Eastern Tennessee. Head on up to Carvers Gap; this location is right on the border with North Carolina. You already start high up at around 5,000 feet in elevation in the parking lot. Hike up a grassy hill and into a forest. Soon you will be greeted by the ridgeline of the mountain. You can hike along this mountain for quite a distance. Sweeping views of the large mountain ranges are on both sides of you during your travels. This is said to be the prettiest spot on the Appalachian Trail, and you will not want to miss it. There are several ways to experience the trail depending on the time and length you want to accomplish. There are three balds - all with amazing views - but if you are short on time, at least make it to the first one, which is called Round Bald. You will not be disappointed.
SarahPrince09 / Flickr
Lee McNeil/ Alltrails
This is only a .6-mile trail with 164 feet of elevation gain. Do not be fooled by the numbers - this trail is steep. The trail is still fairly doable, but just know it can get very wet and the rocks are very slippery. That being said, the trail is a blast and will quickly lead to a beautiful waterfall with three sections. The top section is more like a stream with a little waterfall, but with the lush forest and natural beauty all around it, this makes for a peaceful spot. Heading on down to the second section of the waterfall, you will be greeted with a stunning flow of water falling straight down into the pool below. Climbing on the rocks, you will be able to see a natural waterslide carved into the rock itself. The last section is the calmest part, allowing a great stop to take a break and dip your feet in the water.
Red Fork Falls, Unicoi, TN 37692, USA
Jennifer Harrah/ Alltrails
Evan Haun/ Alltrails
Martin’s Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall hike with little effort. This is a 2-mile hike with 364 feet of elevation gain, and the only difficult part is traversing down to the falls. The waterfall itself is a beautiful cascading fall splashing upon jagged rocks. It will only take you about an hour to complete and is a perfect place for a quick adventure.
Martin Creek Falls, Banner Hill, TN 37650, USA
Jason Andrews/ Alltrails
Tim Hall/ Alltrials
This simple trail does not consist of hard scrambling but gives way to sweeping views. This trail is a 2.9-mile loop hike with 754 feet of elevation gain and will mostly be following an old dirt road on a mountain. However, the biggest attraction is the incredible views you can have of the Cherokee Mountains. Also, be on the lookout under your feet for salamanders or unique butterflies. This trail is the closest you will get to civilization because it is right near Johnson City.
Cherokee Mountain Road, Cherokee Mountain Rd, Tennessee, USA
Margarette Falls Trailhead Parking Area, 1362 Shelton Mission Rd, Greeneville, TN 37743, USA
Noelle O’Brien/ Alltrials
Here’s one more waterfall trail to round off this amazing road trip. This one is a 2.4-mile out-and-back hike with 623 feet of elevation gain. The first part of the trail is very easy as you walk down a very open rocky path. Then you turn and go deeper into the forest for more of that classic Tennessee trail look we all love. Lush vegetation and a beautiful stream will be following you the whole way up to the falls. Along the way, you can pass a bridge, climb up rock steps, and cross a stream. Once you arrive at Margarette Falls, you will be greeted with a magnificent waterfall cascading down jagged rocks. This little oasis takes some effort to get to, but when you do, it’s time to take off your shoes, dip your feet in the water, and watch the water fall into the clear pool below.
For more rural and fun adventures, check out these awesome rural towns in Tennessee.
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