Chimney Top
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Trail Overview
The volcano-appearing summit south of Kingsport is the 3,118 ft highpoint of Hawkins County. Great views of the valley with I-81 running through it.
How to get there
From Kingsport downtown:
- Take Highway TN93 south.
- Roughly six miles out, turn right onto Horton Highway.
- Turn right at Chimney Top Loop (actually, the second right is shorter).
- After half mile, turn right onto gravel Sugar Hollow Lane.
- Proceed uphill past and seemingly through yards to Faulkner’s home.
- Park down in front of the house.
Trailhead is behind the right front corner of their garage down the narrow steep path to an old road.
From Johnson City:
- Take I-26 north to I-81 south.
- After six miles, take Exit 50 (Jonesborough/Fall Branch) for Highway TN93.
- Left at bottom of ramp and under I-81 overpass.
- Quickly, a right onto Jearoldstown Road.
- After a couple of miles, turn right at Moody Road and then again onto Ryan Road.
- Take left onto Horton Highway.
Follow remaining directions from Step #3 above.
Route Description
Per Collins Chew, take a narrow steep path from the right front garage corner down to an old road. Take the right fork and follow the road up. There are some faint red blazes in places. The marked (?) trail is the right fork but it soon plays out and becomes quite steep with a few ropes to hang on to in a couple of places. Work your way carefully through the cliffs to the ridgeline 100 yds. or so from the NE end of the mountain. There is a lookout rock to right and the top (old beacon) and old fire tower to the left. BE CAREFUL. It is steep.
Typical Conditions
For the first mile, the route is a steep bulldozed logging road. During or immediately after heavy rains, this section would have a stream flowing down it or slippery mud in places. The upper section is a steep path winding through leaf covered rocks. Up on top of the ridge, the path is covered with pine needles.
Fees, Permits, etc.
This trail route is accessed through the property of Mary and Danes Faulkner, thus need to contact for permission.
After the Hike
Nothing at I-81 Exit 50, so you'll have to head to an area town for refreshment.
Misc. Information
There is another route to Chimney Top from the NW side, which is also on private property.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park also has a Chimney Tops Trail (note plural) that is well known in the region. link
The property owner stated that rattlesnakes are common in the summer, which would have many rocks on the upper section to hide between. Colder weather may be a better time to enjoy this high. Mid-April just has some wildflowers beginning to bloom.
Maps
Photos
View from Chimney Top
