Finding the best hikes in Tennessee tends to be pretty difficult these days, and that’s not for any lack of research. We have one of the prettiest states in the nation and it’s crisscrossed from top to bottom with stunning hiking trails for the experienced and the inexperienced. We put together some of the best hikes in Tennessee for springtime adventures, perfect for those who are looking for a way to stretch their winter-worn legs into the heart of upcoming warmer days.
- Rainbow Falls Trail
Greg Holtfreter - Flickr Rainbow Falls Trail is not for the faint of heart. It’s only a 5.5 mile out-and-back, but it’s strenuous. Still, it rewards those who make the trek. This one is in the Gatlinburg area as well.
- Porters Creek Trail
Thomas - Flickr Porter’s Creek Trail is an out-and-back trail near Gatlinburg that is the perfect way to experience the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. It’s just over 7 miles in length and is great for all skill levels. It even features a full waterfall and ruins of an old frontier settlement along the trail. Porters Creek Trail, Tennessee 37738, USA
- Wolf River Greenway
curated by Gary Bridgman - Flickr Memphis may not have the hills and valleys of the middle of the state or even the mountains of the east, but it does have the perfect walkways and trails for family’s and children alike. The Greenway is currently built out near Shelby Farms with plans to extend it to its connection at the Mississippi River Trail, a total of 36 miles once finished. Wolf River Greenway, Memphis, TN 38120, USA
- Twin Arches Loop
Frank Kehren - Flickr Located in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, the Twin Arches Loop takes you on a 5 mile loop through the woods to two massive natural rock arches. The larger South Arch spans 135 feet at an unbelievable 103 feet of clearance. It’s one of the most incredible (and best hidden) wonders of Tennessee. Twin Arches Lane, Twin Arches Ln, Tennessee, USA
- Pot Point Loop
Michael Hicks - Flickr Pot Point loop is near Chattanooga and winds through the forest of the Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area. It’s actually an add-on loop to the Cumberland Trail, winding just over 11 miles for the whole loop. It’s definitely worth the distance though for those stunning views of the Tennessee River. Pot Point Loop, Chattanooga, TN, USA
- Little River Trail
DARSHAN SIMHA - Flickr Located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Little River trail is anything but little. The out-and-back trail is 12.3 miles long in some of the prettiest country you’ll ever see. We’d recommend coming to experience the old growth forest. Little River Trail, Tennessee 37738, USA
- Radnor Lake Trail
Michael Hicks - Flickr The Radnor Lake State Natural Area has 1200 acres of land and six miles of trails located right on the cusp of Nashville. We’d recommend taking the lake loop, it comes in at just a couple of miles and is fairly easy for families. Radnor Lake, Oak Hill, TN 37220, USA
- Cloudland Trail
Ken Lane - Flickr Roan Mountain State Park is known for its beauty, and the Cloudland Trail is shared by both North Carolina and Tennessee. It’s graced by a waterfall and is moderately trafficked at 2.4 miles. Cloudland Trail, Chattanooga, TN 37411, USA
- Spicewood Branch Trail
Frank Kehren - Flickr Located in Frozen Head State Park, Spicewood Branch Trail is located near Wartburg and has a stunning waterfall at the heart of it. You can walk year-round, and dogs can be brought on the loop, but be prepared for 7.2 miles in the wilderness. Spicewood Branch, Tennessee 37887, USA
- Alum Cave Trail
Frank Kehren - Flickr Alum Cave Trail will take you out to Mount LeConte, and it comes in at a solid ten miles. It’s fairly difficult but the views are gorgeous, so we’d recommend that you go from March to November. Alum Cave Trail, Tennessee 37738, USA
- Narrows of the Harpeth
Hector A Parayuelos - Flickr The Narrows of the Harpeth is a perfectly short trail that follows an out and back route, and it’s located near White Bluff, Tennessee. You can walk it year ‘round, and feel free to bring Fido - as long as he’s on a leash, of course. Narrows of the Harpeth Road, Narrows of the Harpeth Rd, Tennessee 37082, USA
So, what do you think? Which hikes would you call the best hikes in Tennessee? Eat up after your hike around our beautiful state at this gorgeous Nashville boathouse. It’s a perfect way to cap off the day! For more of OUR picks for the best hikes in Tennessee, be sure to keep reading!
Greg Holtfreter - Flickr
Rainbow Falls Trail is not for the faint of heart. It’s only a 5.5 mile out-and-back, but it’s strenuous. Still, it rewards those who make the trek. This one is in the Gatlinburg area as well.
Thomas - Flickr
Porter’s Creek Trail is an out-and-back trail near Gatlinburg that is the perfect way to experience the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. It’s just over 7 miles in length and is great for all skill levels. It even features a full waterfall and ruins of an old frontier settlement along the trail.
Porters Creek Trail, Tennessee 37738, USA
curated by Gary Bridgman - Flickr
Memphis may not have the hills and valleys of the middle of the state or even the mountains of the east, but it does have the perfect walkways and trails for family’s and children alike. The Greenway is currently built out near Shelby Farms with plans to extend it to its connection at the Mississippi River Trail, a total of 36 miles once finished.
Wolf River Greenway, Memphis, TN 38120, USA
Frank Kehren - Flickr
Located in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, the Twin Arches Loop takes you on a 5 mile loop through the woods to two massive natural rock arches. The larger South Arch spans 135 feet at an unbelievable 103 feet of clearance. It’s one of the most incredible (and best hidden) wonders of Tennessee.
Twin Arches Lane, Twin Arches Ln, Tennessee, USA
Michael Hicks - Flickr
Pot Point loop is near Chattanooga and winds through the forest of the Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area. It’s actually an add-on loop to the Cumberland Trail, winding just over 11 miles for the whole loop. It’s definitely worth the distance though for those stunning views of the Tennessee River.
Pot Point Loop, Chattanooga, TN, USA
DARSHAN SIMHA - Flickr
Located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Little River trail is anything but little. The out-and-back trail is 12.3 miles long in some of the prettiest country you’ll ever see. We’d recommend coming to experience the old growth forest.
Little River Trail, Tennessee 37738, USA
The Radnor Lake State Natural Area has 1200 acres of land and six miles of trails located right on the cusp of Nashville. We’d recommend taking the lake loop, it comes in at just a couple of miles and is fairly easy for families.
Radnor Lake, Oak Hill, TN 37220, USA
Ken Lane - Flickr
Roan Mountain State Park is known for its beauty, and the Cloudland Trail is shared by both North Carolina and Tennessee. It’s graced by a waterfall and is moderately trafficked at 2.4 miles.
Cloudland Trail, Chattanooga, TN 37411, USA
Located in Frozen Head State Park, Spicewood Branch Trail is located near Wartburg and has a stunning waterfall at the heart of it. You can walk year-round, and dogs can be brought on the loop, but be prepared for 7.2 miles in the wilderness.
Spicewood Branch, Tennessee 37887, USA
Alum Cave Trail will take you out to Mount LeConte, and it comes in at a solid ten miles. It’s fairly difficult but the views are gorgeous, so we’d recommend that you go from March to November.
Alum Cave Trail, Tennessee 37738, USA
Hector A Parayuelos - Flickr
The Narrows of the Harpeth is a perfectly short trail that follows an out and back route, and it’s located near White Bluff, Tennessee. You can walk it year ‘round, and feel free to bring Fido - as long as he’s on a leash, of course.
Narrows of the Harpeth Road, Narrows of the Harpeth Rd, Tennessee 37082, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Tennessee April 11, 2022 Tori Jane What are some of the most beautiful scenic hikes in Tennessee? Tennessee is a beautiful place for nature lovers; it’s so gorgeous that some places resemble something more like a fairy-tale setting than our own backyard, and what better way to admire this natural beauty than by a good old-fashioned scenic hike? Some of our favorite scenic hikes in Tennessee include many of the breathtaking trails at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, like the challenging (but rewarding) Alum Cave Trail. You’ll encounter more than 3,000 feet of elevation gain but trust us when we say the effort is worth the reward! While you’re there, also try the Spruce Flats Falls Trail, which is short at under two miles in length but still quite challenging. We feel like that one might be one of the most underrated hikes in Tennessee! Other favorite scenic hiking trails in Tennessee include the Virgin Falls Trail at the Virgin Falls State Natural Area, a long (11 miles) but rewarding hike to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Tennessee, and the Day Loop Trail at Long Hunter State Park (3.9 miles long) is wonderful, too. What are the best easy hikes in Tennessee? Luckily for hikers who prefer an easy day out on the trails instead of a strenuous one climbing mountains, there are plenty of excellent hikes across the state perfect for an afternoon stroll. Some of our favorite easy hikes in Tennessee just so happen to be some of the best in the state, too, so nobody is missing out! For example, several of the most legendary hikes at Great Smoky Mountains National Park are rated as easy, like the Laurel Falls Trail, which is one of the most popular spots in the entire park. At just under two and a half miles long, this trail is one of the most scenic trails in Tennessee. Other easy trails within GSMNP include the 3.9-mile Gatlinburg Trail, the 1.1-mile Cataract Falls Trail, the four-mile Mouse Creek Falls via Big Creek Trail, and many more. Other excellent easy hikes in Tennessee include the Twin Falls and Downstream Trail at Rock Island State Park and the Radnor Lake Trail at Radnor Lake State Park.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Tennessee
April 11, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some of the most beautiful scenic hikes in Tennessee? Tennessee is a beautiful place for nature lovers; it’s so gorgeous that some places resemble something more like a fairy-tale setting than our own backyard, and what better way to admire this natural beauty than by a good old-fashioned scenic hike? Some of our favorite scenic hikes in Tennessee include many of the breathtaking trails at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, like the challenging (but rewarding) Alum Cave Trail. You’ll encounter more than 3,000 feet of elevation gain but trust us when we say the effort is worth the reward! While you’re there, also try the Spruce Flats Falls Trail, which is short at under two miles in length but still quite challenging. We feel like that one might be one of the most underrated hikes in Tennessee! Other favorite scenic hiking trails in Tennessee include the Virgin Falls Trail at the Virgin Falls State Natural Area, a long (11 miles) but rewarding hike to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Tennessee, and the Day Loop Trail at Long Hunter State Park (3.9 miles long) is wonderful, too. What are the best easy hikes in Tennessee? Luckily for hikers who prefer an easy day out on the trails instead of a strenuous one climbing mountains, there are plenty of excellent hikes across the state perfect for an afternoon stroll. Some of our favorite easy hikes in Tennessee just so happen to be some of the best in the state, too, so nobody is missing out! For example, several of the most legendary hikes at Great Smoky Mountains National Park are rated as easy, like the Laurel Falls Trail, which is one of the most popular spots in the entire park. At just under two and a half miles long, this trail is one of the most scenic trails in Tennessee. Other easy trails within GSMNP include the 3.9-mile Gatlinburg Trail, the 1.1-mile Cataract Falls Trail, the four-mile Mouse Creek Falls via Big Creek Trail, and many more. Other excellent easy hikes in Tennessee include the Twin Falls and Downstream Trail at Rock Island State Park and the Radnor Lake Trail at Radnor Lake State Park.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Tennessee is a beautiful place for nature lovers; it’s so gorgeous that some places resemble something more like a fairy-tale setting than our own backyard, and what better way to admire this natural beauty than by a good old-fashioned scenic hike? Some of our favorite scenic hikes in Tennessee include many of the breathtaking trails at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, like the challenging (but rewarding) Alum Cave Trail. You’ll encounter more than 3,000 feet of elevation gain but trust us when we say the effort is worth the reward! While you’re there, also try the Spruce Flats Falls Trail, which is short at under two miles in length but still quite challenging. We feel like that one might be one of the most underrated hikes in Tennessee! Other favorite scenic hiking trails in Tennessee include the Virgin Falls Trail at the Virgin Falls State Natural Area, a long (11 miles) but rewarding hike to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Tennessee, and the Day Loop Trail at Long Hunter State Park (3.9 miles long) is wonderful, too.
What are the best easy hikes in Tennessee?
Luckily for hikers who prefer an easy day out on the trails instead of a strenuous one climbing mountains, there are plenty of excellent hikes across the state perfect for an afternoon stroll. Some of our favorite easy hikes in Tennessee just so happen to be some of the best in the state, too, so nobody is missing out! For example, several of the most legendary hikes at Great Smoky Mountains National Park are rated as easy, like the Laurel Falls Trail, which is one of the most popular spots in the entire park. At just under two and a half miles long, this trail is one of the most scenic trails in Tennessee. Other easy trails within GSMNP include the 3.9-mile Gatlinburg Trail, the 1.1-mile Cataract Falls Trail, the four-mile Mouse Creek Falls via Big Creek Trail, and many more. Other excellent easy hikes in Tennessee include the Twin Falls and Downstream Trail at Rock Island State Park and the Radnor Lake Trail at Radnor Lake State Park.
