ClubWIKI:TopsList

A common question we hear is "What are your favorite hikes in the region?" so below are our top recommendations within different hiking objectives.

Day hike (non-AT)

• Grayson Highlands Twin Pinnacles - bags two high peaks - with huckleberries in Aug-Sept
• Laurel Fork Gorge - large cascade water is probably most commonly led club hike over the years
• Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower - newly constructed trail to renovated fire tower

Day hike (AT)

• Carver's Gap to Grassy Ridge - spur trail off the AT to 360 degree overlook
• Hughes Gap to Little Rock Knob - for a great overlook
• Laurel Fork Gorge - large cascading water

Family/Beginner hike

• Doe River Gorge - follow an old railroad bed through two tunnels along Doe River
• Lakeside Trail - hike around Bays Mountain Park reservoir and into animal habitat area
• South Holston Dam Spillway Trail - easy road down to lake shore - great place for skipping rocks
• Twin Pinnacles or Rhododendron Trail at Grayson Highlands State Park in Aug-Sept for huckleberries (and ponies!)
• Warriors Path State Park - All of their trails with the exception of Devil's Backbone are good for quick family hikes

See also the Easy Category page for more suggestions.

One night backpacking

• Carver's Gap to US19E - 13.4 miles with outstanding vistas and favored Overmountain Shelter
• Massie Gap loop

Multiple nights backpacking

• Appalachian Trail - the TEHCC section boasts many two or more night trips of varying difficulties
• Iron Mountain Trail in TN and the AT between Damascus and TN91 creates 45 mile/three night loop hike

Waterfall

These are hikes leading to or passing by waterfalls - not drive up views.

• Laurel Fork Gorge - large cascade water is probably most commonly led club hike over the years
• Virgin Falls, Crossville TN - Comes out of a cave, down 140' before disappearing into another cave at bottom
• Little Stony Creek Falls - plunge and cascade waterfalls seen on hike up creek gorge - currently has some trail errosion to navigate
• Margarette Falls - 60' cascading waterfall
• Gentry Creek Falls - two tiered waterfall reached by couple mile hike up along creek
• Ramsey Cascades, Great Smoky Mtn NP - highest waterfall accessible by trail in the Smokies

View/Scenic Overlook

• Big Bald (5516 ft) on the AT is the highest point in Unicoi County
• Wilburn Ridge or Twin Pinnacles (5089 and 5068 feet) in Grayson Highlands State Park
• AT - Little Rock Knob (4918 ft) on the AT in the Iron Mountain Gap to Carver's Gap section
• Blackstack Cliffs (4452 ft) up on Camp Creek Bald
• Grassy Ridge (6160 ft) in Roan Highlands
• Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower - 360 degree view of several surrounding mountains

Seasonal

Unique things to see (or eat!) that depend on the time of year

• Spring Wildflowers (Late April-Early May)
  • AT: US 19E to Doll Flats - 3 miles each way to see many diverse species due to the elevation gain.
  • AT - Little Rock Knob - pink lady slippers & painted trilliums in lower elevations to a carpet of trout lilies & large-flowered trilliums at top.
  • Margarette Falls - Good/easy/short hike to pretty falls in addition to the flowers.
  • Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area - Open field and woods along Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.
  • Laurel River Trail - Rails-to-Trail conversion near Hot Springs, NC with good variety of spring wildflowers.
• Catawba Rhododendron
  • Grassy Ridge - mid-June peak into August
  • Rhododendron Gardens - June - Festival is typically third Saturday
• Ramps
  • On the way to Overmountain Barn Shelter in April
• Huckleberry/Blueberry
  • Grayson Highlands State Park - August to mid September
  • On Roan balds on way to Grassy Ridge - Late August to mid September
• Blackberry/raspberry
  • Sinking Waters - Late June and July
  • Fall Creek Loop Trail - Late June and July
• Fall Color (peak is mid-October)
  • Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower - 360 degree views from renovated fire tower