Duffield, VA

Natural Tunnel State Park

    Not far from Kingsport, is Natural Tunnel.  There are several hiking trails in the park - you can hike down to the river or up to overlooks - most have pretty decent elevation gain.  There is a $5 parking fee for the park

    Stock Creek Trail - The hike down to the creek is about 2 miles roundtrip and the trail switchbacks several times down the hill.  You also have the option of riding the chairlift, which is a lot of fun and is only $3 a person.  The creek makes a great place to set up hammocks for the afternoon and playtime in the water.  You might even have a train go by.    

    Lover's Leap - This one is about 3/4 of a mile and offers great views of the tunnel and rock cliffs.  It's uphill to the lookout.

    Purchase Ridge - This one is at least 5 miles roundtrip if you do the entire trail with the loop - because it seems you have to add the beginning connector trails.  It's a pretty trail and you reach a lookout near the beginning of the loop section - I'm not sure how well you can see in the summer with the trees put out - we went in the winter.  It's definitely uphill most of the way up.  

    

 

Lebanon, VA

Mendota Fire Tower

    This is a short hike - only about 1/2 a mile roundtrip and takes you to some of the best views in the area.  There is a small parking lot off the road and the trail up isn't super well marked, but still easy enough to follow.  There is a lot of rocks you have to scramble over to get to the top, but lots of fun.  Also to note - there is a lot of vandalism on the rocks at the top, but the views are still worth it!  If you want to get some more walking in, check out the Mendota Trail, which is only about 10 minutes from the fire tower.  

Roan Mountain, TN

Carver's Gap

    Hiking to the balds at Roan Mountain is a bit challenging because you have to hike up and down the balds both directions and there are 3 if you hike to the end, which is totally worth it.  It's a 5 mile roundtrip moderate hike and the views are amazing!  It's beautiful in the spring and early summer because of the azaleas, rhododendrons and lilies.  And at the beginning of the hike, you get to hike through a pine forest.

 

Brevard, NC

 Cove Creek Falls

    This hike is an easy hike, until you get to where you hike down to the falls, which requires a little bit of a scramble down.  It's about 2.5 miles roundtrip and the falls are beautiful!  Follow Cove Creek Trail until you see the sign for the falls.  Stay to the right (or you'll end up at the top of the falls) until you get to the bottom and then follow it to the left.

Cedar Rock Falls

    This is a short hike at a little over 1.5 miles roundtrip.  You need to follow Cat Gap trail, which is an easy hike until you get to where it cuts up the hill and then you've got a short climb until the trail looks like it splits - go to the left and hike down to the falls

North Georgia Mountains

Anna Ruby Falls

    Located near Helen Georgia, this is an easily accessible trail that is paved and only 1 mile round trip.  There is definitely some elevation gain, but it's a beautiful double waterfall.

Tallulah Gorge

    Located in Tallulah Gorge State Park, not far from Helen Georgia is a hike down into the gorge to see these falls.  The gorge is amazing and you get to walk across a suspension bridge on your hike.  To get to the bottom requires 1,000 stairs down.  It's about 2 miles roundtrip and you will need to get a permit because they limit the number of people allowed down.  

DeSoto Falls

    Located near Helen, GA, this hike is only a couple of miles roundtrip.  It's a loop trail and considered the easier side of moderate.  There is an upper and lower set of falls.  This is actually the only trail (so far) where we have seen a bear while hiking.  Thankfully it saw us also and took off up the mountain.  

 Helton Creek Falls

    This is a short, easy hike located in Blairsville, Ga - less than 1/2 a mile roundtrip.  It's the road in that will get you.  It is recommended that only high clearance vehicles should make the trip in and I would agree.  We went several years ago and drove a Ford Explorer at the time.  We had to drive through water and drug in a spot on the way back out.  The falls are great though!

Pilot Mountain State Park, NC

Pilot Mountain, NC

   Trail - Pilot Knob Trail. This was a unique hike because you get to hike around the base of the knob.  It is on the easier side of moderate and it's only about 1 mile in length.  It's stunning to see the geological features of the knob as well.  There are lots of other trails in the park and some great points to see different vantages of the knob.  

 

Natural Bridge State Park, KY

Natural Bridge, Ky 

    I think there may be a Natural Bridge in every state - this is the one in Kentucky.  It's about a 2.5 mile moderate roundtrip hike, with some steepness on some of the hills.  The bridge is pretty spectacular and this is one that you can walk across, which means great views too!  There are several options for other hikes too and lots to see at this park.  

 

New River Gorge, WV

New River Gorge National Park

    This park is huge and we have actually been there twice because when we went the first time, we were in the southern part at the Grandview Rim Trail and Sandstone Falls.  I really wanted to see the bridge, but turns out, it is about a 45 minute drive to it, which we didn't have time for -so be aware of that if you go.  The Rim Trail was the perfect view of the river and was only a little over 3 miles roundtrip and considered moderate.  Sandstone Falls were pretty and was only a one mile easy walk - there is just no direct way to get there.  You have to drive past and backtrack to them.  The visitor center is really neat to go to as it has a map of the entire river, which goes into NC on the floor.  The Bridge Trail is a short easy walk and is beautiful in the fall! 

There are also so many more trails at the park to explore - it's a great destination! 

New River Bridge

Grandview Rim Trail

Sandstone Falls

 

Canton, NC

Graveyard Fields

    This hike is below Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway and very popular - even in weather that is not ideal.  I would suggest going as early as you can.  This is about a 4 mile loop trail (although we missed the loop part and just backtracked the same way from Upper Falls).  The hike through the fields is easy with lots of boardwalks, but the hike up to Upper Falls is very rocky and a little challenging.  The hike down to Second/Lower Falls is also easy, except for the steps you have to walk back up, but there aren't many.  During August and Early September, there are wild blueberries and blackberries that can be picked and they are so good!

Upper Falls

Second/Lower Falls

 

Ewing, VA

Sand Cave and White Rocks Overlook, VA

    This hike takes you to a huge rock overhang that is filled with sand and a small waterfall (if you go during the rainy season) and amazing views.  This is a challenging loop hike, around 9.25 miles roundtrip.  But it's such a cool place!  The hike itself isn't all that exciting - except that you just keep climbing uphill.  Even when you get close to the cave, you have to hike down a steep area to get to it - so you've got to climb back out when you're done.  Take lots of water and maybe try for a cool day if the heat bothers you.