Best Hiking Trails in East Tennessee

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There are many hikes in Tennessee that lead to some of the most beautiful panorama views and waterfalls in the country. Some follow or pass creek beds, while others lead up to a beautiful mountain view. Here is my list of favorite Tennessee hiking trails with waterfalls and amazing views.

Click here to read my checklist of day hiking gear.

There are so many wonderful trails in this state park that it is hard to name just one that I recommend. The hike to the horseshoe shaped waterfall called Great Falls is a must. If you don’t mind a strenuous 0.5 hike, take the steep half mile Upstream Trail down into the gorge area. 

Caution: Swimming or wading is not allowed from the TVA’s powerhouse downstream to the main beach boat ramp. 

The hike past Twin Falls is another good one located in this park. The hike is a short 0.6 mile roundtrip on moderate terrain to view the beautiful falls.

The trail to Machine Falls is just over a mile and a half. It is easy at first but then declines into a gorge with steep stairs. I advise wearing water shoes so that you can go directly up to the waterfall. I visited in the spring when the water was up and there weren’t as many people around as during the summer.

This is an easy 0.3 mile hike for a summer day that leads to a swimming hole. Actually, Rutledge Falls was seen on Hannah Montana the movie when they jump in the water using the rope swing. The falls are located on private property but it is available to visit from dusk to dawn only. Make sure to always clean up after yourself and leave no trace.

Denny Falls is located in the largest state park in Tennessee, South Cumberland State Park between Tracy City and Jasper. The hike is approximately 3 miles round trip or 4 miles if you include the trail to the overlook. Denny Falls is easily one of my favorite trails in Tennessee due to the rugged terrain as you hike through Denny cove to the 70 foot waterfall.

FYI: Denny Cove closes 30 minutes after sunset.

This 0.2 mile hike is more like a walk to a beautiful waterfall but it is not to be missed. The water comes from a natural spring before dropping 40 feet and disappearing again underground. Adjacent to the waterfall is Lost Creek Cave which is one of the few places in Tennessee where you can see a waterfall inside a cave. It isn’t open all the time due to preserving the habitat for the bats that live in the cave.

This area is so beautiful that the waterfall and cave was featured in the “Jungle Book.” When we were there on a hot day, fog rolled out of the cave and gave it kind of an eerie look.

Lost Cove North Natural Bridge, also known as Sewanee Natural Bridge is only a 400 foot stair stepped path down overlooking Lost Cove. I had to mention it because it leads to one of the natural bridges in Tennessee that is made of sandstone. It is 50 foot long and about 25 foot high.

Twin Arches trail is a 1.4 mile roundtrip moderately strenuous hike in Big South Fork State Park. The arches are so big that you will want to bring your wide angle camera. If you take the steep stairs over the arch and continue on the loop trail it becomes a 4.6 mile hike.

FYI: Make sure you bring water and watch for bears in the area. I didn’t realize the loop trail was so long and almost didn’t make it out before dark.

You will love the hike to Conasauga Falls near Tellico Plains. This 1.5 mile moderately strenuous hike is a great place to visit on a sunny day. There are several swimming holes along the way before you reach the bottom of the three-tiered waterfall.

Greeter Falls Loop Trail is a moderately strenuous 0.8 mile hike that is in South Cumberland State Park. A spiral staircase leads to the bottom of the falls.

Window Cliffs is one of the newest hiking trails near Cookeville, Tennessee. The strenuous 5.4 mile hike crosses several creek beds before making the climb to the top of beautiful rock formations that are best seen at a distance.

The Fall Creek Falls State Park is a must for anyone looking for some great hikes. The waterfall in which the park got its name is 256 feet tall, making it one of the tallest east of the Mississippi River. There are other smaller waterfalls and trails in the park worth checking out.  Fall is a spectacular time to visit this area with the changing leaves.

I suggest beginning at the Nature Center. After checking out all it has to offer, hike the short trail behind the building to Cascade Falls. It is a sight to see!

Then, take the 0.8 mile Woodland trail that crosses over Cane Creek Cascades via a swing bridge and heads to the Fall Creek Falls overlook. From there, hike the strenuous 0.4 mile hike down through the Fall Creek Gorge to the base of the falls. 

The Cable Trail is only 0.5 mile roundtrip hike but it is very technical. The trail is almost a 100 foot vertical drop with steep rocks that can sometimes be slippery. In fact, one day while about to attempt the climb down, a man had just fallen and paramedics had to rescue him. However, the climb down the Cable Trail leads to two of the most beautiful waterfalls in Fall Creek Falls State Park. This is where a scene from the movie “The Jungle Book” took place.

This easy hike located near Allardt, Tennessee takes you along an easy 1.3 mile hike to the beautiful Northrup Falls. This beautiful waterfall is 60 feet tall and provides a great place to swim in the summer after your hike. The trail does have just over a 100 foot elevation change to get down to the falls area or you can take the long way around like I did and head left when it forks when you first see the falls.

The Cumberland Mountain State Park boasts many hiking trails in the Crossville area. The area of land was in fact set aside in 1938 to be used as a recreational area for many of the Homesteaders on the Cumberland Plateau.

Byrd Lake Trail is an easy half mile hike around the lake. This is a good trail to take photos of the historical bridge and visit the museum as it passes by it. I suggest adding the Pioneer Loop for a total of 2.7 miles that follows the lake and has a swinging bridge.

Located in Jackson County, this 75 foot waterfall used to be the hangout of students at the nearby college in Cookeville before it became a park. Take the Downstream Trail that provides a path upstream along the riverbed. So, be sure to wear water shoes and be careful on the slippery rocks. The swimming hole below the falls has been named one of the best swimming holes in America.

Located near the town of Crab Orchard, this waterfall has been featured in the movie, The Jungle Book. Take the steep, rocky trail that makes way to a path that goes behind the 110 foot waterfall or to the swimming hole. Year round, you may see rock climbers here bravely trying their hand at the sport.

While it may be a summer hangout for locals, you can’t miss it when a winter storm blows through. Check out photos of winter at Ozone Falls.

Despite the trail that goes to the bottom of Burgess Falls being closed, hikers are still able to enjoy the 2 mile hike alongside the river that does provide panoramic views of the rock wall and 136 foot waterfall from the top.

Located near Sparta, you will find this 9 mile roundtrip hike past caves, swimming holes, and waterfalls to be strenuous, but worth the effort. The highlight of this hike is the 110 feet high Virgin Falls waterfall that emerges from a cave before disappearing back into another cave. This trail may take up to 8 hours to finish so make sure to give yourself enough time.

The trail to Piney Falls is one of the lesser known hikes in East Tennessee but is quickly growing in popularity. This 2 mile roundtrip moderate to strenuous hike in the town of Grandview is a must! There’s a nice swimming hole at the bottom of the falls. This is also one of the few waterfalls that you can walk behind.

Extra: Just down the road in Spring City you will find a 2 mile round trip hike that is part of the Falls segment of the Cumberland Trail. The moderate hike leads to the 35 foot Stinging Fork Falls with a quick detour to the Indian Head Point Overlook.

It’s no wonder this all day hike has been named one of the top hiking trails in America and is one of the best waterfall hikes in Tennessee. This 12.5 mile one way strenuous hike passes several waterfalls near the Chattanooga area, verdant forests, and panoramic overlooks. The name itself , Fiery Gizzard, invokes a sense of mystery, said to be derived from a legend where a Native American chief threw a turkey’s gizzard into the fire in disgust, marking the location. Hikers have the choice of hiking through a gorge area or above the bluffs for amazing views of the area. The Fiery Gizzard Trail is open for day use only and goes from Tracy City to Foster Falls.

This loop trail is part of the Fiery Gizzard Trail. Start the trail by making your way to the base of Foster Falls. This is a perfect swimming hole in the summer time. To continue the loop, make your way through past rock climbing cliffs until you get to the stairs. Climb them and continue the trail until it loops back to the parking lot. 

Read about how I got lost on my hike here.

Laurel Falls, located in the Savage Gulf area, is a short 0.3 mile loop to a 25 foot waterfall. Make sure to follow the loop on the 150 year old trail to avoid climbing the stairs back up.

When you return to the ranger station, make sure to walk the easy 2 mile Stone Door hike that is not to be missed. Along the way you will see scenic views from the bluffs and Laurel Gulf Overlook as you make your way to the Great Stone Door. The Great Stone Door got its name because the 10 feet wide crack in the 100 feet rock wall looks like a door left open when you climb down the stairs.

Emory Gap Falls is located in Frozen Head State Park. The Panther Branch Trail is an easy 2.25 mile hike to 2 waterfalls. The first is the 12 feet Debord Falls and if you keep going at the split about a mile into the hike and go about another half of a mile, you will reach the 18 feet Emory Gap Falls.

This is one of my favorite Smoky Mountain hikes!!! Hikers on this trail can easily hike 10+ miles on this 4.6 mile one way trail up to Mt. Leconte (one of the highest peaks in Tennessee). There are several rock formations and picture worthy sites along this strenuous trail.

If lucky enough, you can get reservations to stay at one of the cabins at the top where you can enjoy the sunset and sunrise before making your way back down. If not, in my opinion, this is the best day hike in the Smoky Mountains!

The Trillium Gap Trail is a 3 mile roundtrip hike to the Grotto Falls. Here, hikers can walk behind the waterfall, look for salamanders, or take a swim. This trail also leads to the top of Mt. Leconte.

This difficult 8 mile roundtrip hike boasts the highest waterfall (about 100 feet in multiple tiers) in the Smokies. At the base of Ramsey Cascades you will find many camouflaged salamanders. You will pass classic beauty the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for, such as some of the oldest trees in the park.

Be forewarned this 5.4 mile hike gains about 1500 elevation on the way to the 80-foot waterfall. However, you will follow a creek path, small waterfalls, beautiful rhododendrons, and other scenic finds as you make your way to this waterfall located off the Roaring Motor Fork Loop Road.

FYI: On a sunny day, you may see a rainbow produced by the mist from the waterfall, hence how the waterfall got its name. Bring plenty of water as its all up hill until you get there. Bring some snacks but be aware of black bears.

Caution: With any trails, be observant of your surroundings. Watch for snakes and other wildlife. Flooding can occur along any creek, so be cautious and make sure to check weather reports before beginning any trails.