Appalachian Trail - Tennessee Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Appalachian Trail - Tennessee Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
View from Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee (Ben Sumner)
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Appalachian Trail - Tennessee Active and Adventure Travel Tips

By Toby Gohn
  • Trail Stats: 287.4 Trail Miles (including 216.3 on TN/NC border), 8 Shelters (plus 30 shelters on TN/NC border)
  • Like North Carolina, the Appalachian Trail (AT) in Tennessee is rugged and rewarding. With many of the highest elevations east of the Mississippi River, the eastern part of the state has picturesque ranges that are as stunning as any in the country. Though none of them are above treeline at this latitude, sweeping evergreen stands give the large ridges an almost alpine feel.
  • Not as well known as the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the upper section of AT along the North Carolina–Tennessee border has some of the most awe-inspiring hiking of the entire trail. From Erwin, Tennessee, north to Elk Park, North Carolina, the “Roan Highlands” have numerous 360-degree views atop almost comically narrow balds and summits. Big Bald, Beauty Spot, Max Patch, Hump, Roan, and Unaka mountains are all breathtaking.
  • Recommended 5- to 7-Day Trip: This 67-mile route seems a little counterintuitive, hiking out of the Smoky Mountains instead of in, but the idea is to walk away from the crowds without sacrificing the views. Start out at Newfound Gap and, if you get a late start, stay at the Icewater Spring Shelter, as the sunrise from here is more than worth the stop. As you work through the northern Smokies along the North Carolina–Tennessee border, you’ll take in scenic ridge walks over mounts Sequoyah, Chapman, and Guyot—all are over 6,000 feet. Hiking north, you’ll notice the crowds continue to thin out until you exit the Smokies at Davenport Gap. Outside the park, the peaks are shorter but no less enjoyable, and when you reach Max Patch, one of the most beloved vistas on the whole AT, you get a dramatic panorama of the northern Smokies. The hike ends as the AT strolls into Hot Springs, North Carolina, where a well-deserved soak at the Hot Springs Spa is a must. Directions: U.S. 441 (Newfound Gap) near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, north to U.S. 25 and 70, North Carolina 209 at Hot Springs.

Guidebook: Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion (Appalachian Trail Conservancy)
Appalachian Trail: Georgia | North Carolina | Tennessee | Virginia | West Virginia | Maryland | Pennsylvania | New Jersey | New York | Connecticut | Massachusetts | Vermont | New Hampshire | Maine

Active and Adventure Overview: Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is a multi-state public footpath across 2,175 miles of Appalachian Mountain ridgelines from Maine to Georgia. Roads that cross it for all but its northernmost 100 miles give ready access. The Trail is protected along more than 96 percent of its course by federal or state ownership of the land itself or by rights-of-way. Read More

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Hotels

Inn on Biltmore Estate

Best Resorts & Lodges
1 Antler Hill Rd.
Asheville, NC 28803 Map

Distance: 84.6 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0

Tsali Recreation Area Campground

c/o Cheoah Ranger District, Route 1, Box 16-A
Robbinsville, NC 28721 Map

Distance: 143.6 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
4.0
from: $119

Carnegie Hotel & Spa

1216 W. State of Franklin Rd.
Johnson City, TN Map

Distance: 38.2 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
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Attractions

Nolichucky River Gorge

expert favorite attraction
Cherokee National Forest (TN) and Pisgah National Forest (NC)


Distance: 50.3 mi. (from destination center)

Description: The Nolichucky River Gorge stretches for 110 miles and offers Class I-IV whitewater. ... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
4_0

Clingmans Dome

expert favorite attraction
c/o Great Smoky Mountains National Park,107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738

Distance: 116.0 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
5_0

Nantahala Outdoor Center

expert favorite attraction
13077 Highway 19 West
Bryson City, North Carolina 28713

Distance: 134.0 mi. (from destination center)
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
4_0
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Airports

Major Airports near Appalachian Trail - Tennessee

Distance (mi.)
Charlotte Douglas Airport 108.7 map
Greensboro Piedmont Triad International Airport 109.6 map
Raleigh/Durham Airport 176.1 map

Other Smaller Airports near Appalachian Trail - Tennessee

Distance (mi.)
Bristol/Johnson City/Kingsport Tri-Cities Regional Airport 34.4 map
Bluefield Mercer County/Princeton Airport 57.6 map
Asheville Regional/Hendersonville Airport 91.7 map

Flight Deals to Appalachian Trail - Tennessee

Originating From
Baltimore (BWI) to Charlotte (CLT) $104
Orlando (ORL) to Charlotte (CLT) $143
New York City (NYC) to Charlotte (CLT) $144
Philadelphia (PHL) to Charlotte (CLT) $157
Buffalo (BUF) to Charlotte (CLT) $158

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