Abingdon, VA

Logan Creek Falls

    These falls are beautiful AND just a short walk by the road!!  They are located just outside Abingdon and there is a small parking area right before you get to the falls - then it's just a little path to the falls.  You can walk down to them and even downstream a bit, but it takes just a little bit of scrambling.    

Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve

    This is an easy one to double up with Logan Creek, since that one is so short and easy.  This area has a few different trails you can take and I'll tell you about a couple of them.  Big Falls, via the Big Cedar Creek Trail is an easy 1.5 mile trail to the falls.  You get to cross a swinging bridge at the beginning and enjoy the falls at the end.  This is a great area for playing in the water and if the water is lower, you can even climb up the rocks at the falls.

    The other trail I've done here is Grapevine - it starts and ends on Big Cedar Creek Trail, so you can go one way and come back the other.  The trail is a little under 1.5 miles, one way.  Just know that Grapevine is a climb!  It is rated as strenuous and for good reason, but when we went, we had a 5 year old and a 70 year old, so it's very doable especially if you know what to expect.  We just took our time and rested several times on the way up.  

 

Chucky, TN

Squibb Creek Falls

    This trail is a little over 4 miles roundtrip, with about 15 creek crossings (one way) and is considered moderate.  This area is pretty, but the trail can get a little overgrown in spots in the summer, but still easy to follow.  We hiked this one on a very hot day and welcomed the chance to cool off at every creek crossing and to wade and sit in the falls.

 

Church Hill, TN

Laurel Run Park

    This hike is a couple of miles round trip and is pretty anytime of the year.  It's considered a moderate hike and there are some hills to walk up. If it's been dry, there won't be much flow to the falls.  But if it's flooded, it will be difficult to cross the creek.  Rumors are that they are going to build a foot bridge across the creek near the falls, but for now, you have to navigate rocks to stay dry.  Spring is one of my favorite times to hike hear because the wildflowers are abundant and beautiful!!

You can also hike the overlook trail, which is about 1.75 miles and takes you up where you can see the river.  

You can hike past the waterfall on a trail that cuts up to the left and add a couple more miles to your roundtrip on Laurel Run Trail.  You can see this huge beautiful tree and some old homesteads.  And, another option is adding Kiner Hollow loop to your hike, which would make it 6.6 miles roundtrip.  So there are a lot of options for Laurel Run Park!

 

 

Roan Mountain

Elk River Falls and Jones Falls

    Ok, these falls are actually in Elk Park, NC, but since it is just barely over the NC line, I wanted you to have a TN reference point.  Elk River Falls are fairly easy to and is only about 0.2 of a mile - which is also why it is so crowded on the weekends.  You do have to climb down a little to get to the falls and walk across some large rocks. It's a great place to play in the water, especially down stream a little bit.  The falls themselves are quite dangerous because of the currents it produces.  There are great rocks to sit on and enjoy lunch and the falls.

From the same trail, you can continue on to hike to Jones Falls.  This is not a difficult hike and will be about 3 miles roundtrip.  There is one creek crossing that can be a little tricky.  You can walk across the fallen tree or walk up just a little bit and cross that way, which is what I usually do.  The other part that you need to be aware of is when the trail forks - you can go right and go to Splash Dam Falls, which I haven't made it to yet and it extends the hike to just over 5 miles if you include it, but to continue to Jones Falls you will need to take the left.  

 

Unicoi, TN

Emerald Forest Walk

    This is such an amazing hike through a pine forest on top of Unaka Mountain.  You get to walk through wavy grasses and huge ferns before getting to the forest.  It's about a 2 mile roundtrip, but you can hike as far as you want to because this is part of the Appalachian Trail.  If you hike during the spring, you are likely to encounter through hikers, who can be fun to talk with.  This is considered a moderate hike.  After you are back to your car, you should definitely drive past the trail a little ways to the lookout because the views are breathtaking! 

    You could combine this one with a trip to Beauty Spot (or even hike to it from Beauty Spot to make a longer trip).  You will also pass Rock Creek Recreation area on your way, which has several hikes as well.  

 

Carter and Unicoi County, TN

Twisting Falls

    

    Also known as Compression Falls, these are located near Elizabethton.  It took me a long time to hike this one because there's a lot of mixed reviews about the hike.  It is definitely more like a scramble down to the bottom.  It's steep, but not dangerous and totally worth it.  There are ropes to help you from sliding and then to help you climb out.  It's a short hike - only about a mile roundtrip, but there's about 400 feet elevation loss/gain in about a quarter of a mile.  Please know your limits on this one and maybe save it for a day when it isn't really hot.  It can be a popular one for swimming and kayaking.  

Red Fork Falls

    

    These falls are absolutely beautiful!  However, I would not recommend this hike to most people.  This one actually scared me (and my boys - which is saying a lot).  There was a very nice older gentleman who came in right behind us and without him, I'm not sure we would have attempted it. He helped us navigate the trail because he had been there before. This is also a pretty short hike at just over half a mile out and back.  But you have to climb down the rocks, very close to the side of the falls.  It is very steep and can be quite slick.  We also had a hard time following the trail, because it is not maintained and it crosses the creek twice.  This is one we will probably not go back to.

 

Dungannon, VA

 Little Stony Falls

    We have been to these falls several times and thankfully they have updated the trail since the first time we visited and made it much safter to access the second set of falls.  We always park at the upper parking area, past Hanging Rock Recreation Area.  This is just about a mile roundtrip hike that is moderate in difficulty.  It is a bit of a rocky trail, but such a nice hike that follows the creek.  At the first set of falls, you can walk down some stone steps to get to the base of it and it's so pretty with the rocky gorge.

You can do a short little scramble down the hill to get to the base of the second falls.  This is definitely not required to get a good view of them, but it's nice to be able to wade in the water at the base.  

This set of cascades is fun to climb around on the rocks (very carefully of course) and wade around in the water.  You can continue on the trail and hike all the way to Hanging Rock Recreation Area, which makes the entire hike 6 miles roundtrip, but we have never been past the point of the cascades.

Abingdon (area), VA

 Brumley Mountain

    The views at the overlook of this trail are amazing!  And, it's a fairly easy trail with not much elevation gain and about 3 miles round trip. After the one mile marker, there is a trail that branches to the left - this is what you want to follow to get the overlook.    There are some rocks you have to scramble over and navigate at the end.  The best time to do this hike would be in the spring and maybe fall.  Late spring and summer and you have a lot of overgrowth on the trail.  It is still easy to follow, but there are blackberry vines and stinging nettle that hang into the path.  I would not recommend this one in the winter.  We attempted it once and even though there was no snow on the ground in Abingdon, when we started up the road, it got steep and icy real fast and the van we were in did not make it up and barely made it down.  

The Great Channels of Virginia

    At the other side of the Brumley Mountain Trail are The Channels, which is such a neat place!  It's kind of like a slot canyon and is a lot of fun to explore.  You can actually hike from Brumley to the Channels, but it's a 13.5 mile hike and if you don't have anyone to pick you up on the other side, then you gotta hike back.  The Channels is a bit of a challenging hike, as it is uphill most of the way and is 6 miles round trip.  But it's not very steep, so if you take your time, it's very do-able.  Most of the trail is wide and easy to follow and not real exciting on the way up, but makes up for it when you get to The Channels.  A couple of things to keep in mind is that you need to put The Channels TRAILHEAD in your GPS or you'll end up on the backside and there is a gate across the gravel road.  Something else to keep in mind is that you want to try and get there early.  There are only 10 parking spaces and a ranger that watches them.  IF you get there and they are full, you just have to wait for someone to leave before you can start hiking.    

Laurel Bloomery, TN

Gentry Creek Falls

    These falls are located between Abingdon, VA and Mountain City, TN - about 15 minutes from Damascus, VA.  After you leave Damascus, you will probably loose all cell signal.  Make sure you follow the signs for these falls and drive to the very end of the road and park there.

    This fall is unique because it is a double waterfall.  The actual hike is easy, except for the 15 creek crossings that you have over the course of the 2.5 miles to the falls.  So, I would definitely recommend this one on a warm day.  The pool at the bottom of the falls is nice and shallow and there is a rock that you can sit on under the falls.  It is possible to get to the top falls, if you are careful and follow the path that others have clearly traveled.  

Johnson City, TN - Buffalo Mountain

 Johnson City, TN

Buffalo Mountain

Fork Knob to White Rocks Trail

    We have been to Buffalo Mountain a few times and the first time we went, I was a little intimidated with the trail system.  After hiking a couple of times and understanding the map better, it all seems perfectly easy to understand and navigate.  I would recommend downloading a trail map before you go. There are also several numbered signs on the trails with QR codes on the back.

    The first time we went was a winter hike and when we reached close to the top, it was a winter wonderland and completely magical!  We took Fork Knob to Tip Top (although we didn't quite make it to the very end of it) and then back down White Rocks Loop for about a 3.5 mile loop that would be considered a moderate hike.

White Rocks Loop

    This is about a 5 mile challenging hike due to elevation gain and the trail is quite rocky and rooty.  The view at the top is absolutely beautiful though! 

Noggin Trail

    One thing about Buffalo Mountain I want to say is that the trails there are pretty rugged.  If you have weak ankles, issues with knees or problems with balance - please be aware.  They are definitely navigable but there are also easier trails in the area, if that is what you need.

    This trail is pretty easy on the front and back, but that middle will give you a good climb!  It also takes you to the White Rocks overlook, which is amazing.  It's about a 2.25 mile round trip, if you go up and back the same trail.  A nice advantage with Buffalo is that you can choose when you get to the top, which direction you go back.  

Erwin, Unicoi County, TN

Unicoi County, TN

    

Beauty Spot

    Beauty Spot is everything that it's name says. You are on top of balds in Unicoi County with amazing panoramic views of the mountains! The road to get to the top can be a little rough and even though I would recommend at least all wheel drive, I have seen low clearance cars make the trek up. It's just gravel and lots of pot holes and can get washed out.  This is a very popular place to watch the sunset because there is no hike involved.  People bring picnics, build camp fires, have parties and camp out.  There are lots of places you can walk around and the Appalachian Trail runs through here. 

Indian Grave Gap Trail

    Even though you can drive straight up to Beauty Spot, there is a trail that you can hike up to it.  And when the gate across the road is closed for the winter and you had planned on hiking up past Beauty Spot to the Emerald Forest Walk and you have 5 kids with you and your sister, then you have to have to take a moment and figure out what to do.  You put the Emerald Forest Walk on hold, park at the gate and just hike the 2.5 miles up to Beauty Spot.  It was so cold that day and when we got to the top, the kids built a fire - in a premade fire ring and roasted pepperoni.  It's one of the best memories!  So when your plans don't work the way you had hoped, don't give up!  Find another plan and make memories!  Just so you know, the gate is closed from Dec through March.  You can find this and other road closures on the US Forest Service Page because this is not the only one!

 

Greeneville, TN

Greeneville, TN

Margarette Falls

    

    I have been to this one a few times.  It can be a little challenging because of all the varied terrain and there are lots of rocks to navigate.  But, I really enjoy this one because of the variety it offers and the hike is so pretty to the falls.  It's about 2.5 roundtrip and the falls are beautiful.  The pool is not deep so it's easy to wade in.

 Kelly Falls

    Located in the Paint Creek Recreation Area of Greeneville, this is a small, but very pretty set of falls right by the road.  The road that tuns right at the campground follows the creek.  It's one lane, but with several easy places to pull off and let people pass and the road is in really good condition.  There are also lots of places you can pull off to get in the water or even fish.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Dudley Falls 

    Just a couple of miles past Kelly Falls, is a nice large parking area for Dudley Falls.  This is a great swimming hole by the side of the road!  Some people slide down the falls, some go down in floats because the falls are a gentle slope and some people were cliff jumping while we were there.  I got to talk with an older gentleman who said the road goes all the way to Hot Springs, NC and that it is a beautiful drive.  

 

Flag Pond, TN

Flag Pond, TN 

Rocky Fork State Park

    Just past Erwin is a really nice state park called Rocky Fork.  There are several trails there and we love to visit in the fall!  Rocky Fork Trail is the main trail and it is an easy walk on a wide path by the creek and goes for about .6 of a mile.  There are several places you can access the water for pictures or playing in the creek.  You can continue on several other trails that branch off, but we usually take the Flint Creek Trail, which goes for another 2 miles and is a little more moderate.  There are several foot bridges across the creek and when the trail forks at the Flint Creek Battle Site, you can walk through and then rejoin the trail on the other side.  We also love to hike here in the winter because this area will have snow when Kingsport does not.

Whitehouse Cliffs, Rocky Fork

    This is considered a moderate to strenuous route up the mountain, but with only a 2 mile roundtrip, the views are definitely worth it!

 

Hawkins County, TN

 Hawkins County TN

Elrod Falls - Sneedville

    This is an amazing no-hike waterfall that has a great swimming hole.  It's one of those places that you could just go and sit all day long - so make sure you pack towels and a picnic and enjoy the day. 

Upper Elrod

    

     If you are a little adventurous, you can climb up the side of the waterfall on the right and see upper Elrod.  It's definitely a climb and there are usually ropes tied off that you can use to help you up the rocks.  It's a completely different feel at this one - very secluded and the rocks make the water fall in a strange way.  

Big Creek Dam and Waterfall (Amis Mill)

    While not really a true waterfall, this is water that flows over a stone dam and is still pretty to see, especially if you're in the area.  It's roadside, but you can park and walk around the grounds. Behind the Amis Mill Restaurant, just up from the dam,  is a pavilion and behind it is the Birdhouse Trial that is an easy walk where you can see different birdhouses that have been donated.