Guides
Hike to the top of Mt. Leconte via the Alum Cave Trail inside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
The Alum Cave Trail is the shortest and steepest of the five trails leading to the Le Conte massif, which contains four separate peaks in all, the highest of which has an elevation of 6,593 feet. Due to its short length and beautiful scenery (it is often considered Le Conte's most scenic route) it is the most common footpath for hikers seeking to reach...
Nice easy trail to a small waterfall. Along the way there are a few nice views of the nearby hills and rock formations
Laurel Falls is one of the most popular destinations in the park and parking at the trailhead is limited. The area is especially busy on weekends year-round and on weekdays during summer. Laurel Branch and the 80-foot high Laurel Falls are named for mountain laurel, an evergreen shrub which blooms along the trail and near the falls in May. The trail...
A great training run or day hike in Prentice Cooper WMA.
Coming in at just under 10 miles Mullen's Cove Loop is the bulk of the Rock/Creek River Gorge 10.2 mile trail race which occurs on the last Saturday in March. This incredibly diverse trail lies within the 24,686 acre Prentice Cooper Wilderness Management Area. This entire loop is part of the Cumberland Trail. A significant length of this trail hangs...
Easily accessible, popular route from park entrance to Boulder Point and back.
This run in Enterprise South Nature Park is a quick and easy 4-miler. Park at the lot to the left of the visitor's center and proceed down Poe Run Path. The shaded trails take you past several old ammunition bunkers and the mountain bike parking lot before a short uphill section. Turn left onto Boulder Point Loop (BPT) (blue signs) and run out to Boulder...
My all-time favorite run.
This is a great run offering a grinding uphill start followed by several miles of twisting and winding single track through the Little Frog Wilderness Area. The part I love the most is a 2 mile downhill run towards the end of the single track. You then get a nice downhill on Highway 64 and finish along the Ocoee River after passing through the Whitewater...
One lap around the reservoir.
TVA Raccoon Mountain is my favorite place to run. With a variety of trail options and unmatched views of the surrounding mountains the venue is an example of what can happen when you allow recreational access to public land. It is clean, well used and represents the nature of the city and surrounding area. Thanks to the members of SORBA for the time,...
This road through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park runs through a lush valley, see wildlife & historic buildings
Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, and sightings of black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animals are...
Learn more about Cades Cove's natural and cultural history and the Great Smoky Mountains at www.NaturePods.com
Rich Mountain Loop Trail is a great way to enjoy Cades Cove without the crowds. The trail starts at the begining of the Loop Road, skirts the edge of some fields before reaching the John Oliver Cabin. It then climbs toward the crest of Rich Mountain. Its a good place to see deer and the ocassional black bear. Join NaturePods as you explore the cultural...
This is a short nature trail type of hike to Little Greenbrier School in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This is a short nature trail type of hike to Little Greenbrier School. We learned once we got to our destination that you can also drive right to the school, but this is a nice hike through the woods. The end destination is a neat old log cabin school. At the start of the hike there is a small hill that you go up and down, so when kids used to...
Wildflowers and Black Bears
As a ranger in the Smokies, Chestnut Top was one of my favorite trails to introduce visitors the vast diversity of life found in these mountains. It is a great hike year-round, but it truly shines in April, during the peak of wildflowers. The first mile or so will take you along rich soils that give rise to a spectacular array of wildflower species....
Short moderate hike to the best viewpoint in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi. Only Mt. Mitchell (6,684 feet) and Mt. Craig (6,647), both located in Mt. Mitchell State Park in western North Carolina, rise higher. The observation tower on the...
Drive across the mountains in the parks most-traveled road.
In southern Appalachian vernacular, a gap is a low point in a mountain ridge. New Englanders call such places “notches” while westerners refer to them as mountain “passes.” At an elevation of 5,046 feet, Newfound Gap is the lowest drivable pass through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The old road over the Smoky Mountains crossed...
0.7 mile trail near Chapel Hill, Tennessee
This is the shortest trail at Henry Horton. There are some really nice views of the Duck River on this trail -- definitely worth seeing. Also, there are many old artifacts of the Mill still in this area that are visible in the water. Worth checking out!! If you're interested in adding on mileage to this trail, the River Trail continues on 1.5 miles...
Full description of trail race course.
This 6k trail course is located on the Biology Trails of Souther Adventist University. The course winds its way through the forest on family friendly trails with multiple other options for people who want more or less distance. This protected forest is located on White Oak Mountain just outside of Collegedale TN and is very popular with students and...
A new addition to the Salomon/Rock Creek Trail Series.
This is a new addition to the Salomon/Rock Creek Trail Series for 2012. Taking place at Enterprise South Nature Park in Hamilton County, Tennessee, the mostly shaded course provides the 10K runners with the opportunity to explore the hiking trails within the nature park. The 10K course is set on mulch trails allowing for side-by-side running from start...
Premier event in Salomon/Rock Creek Trail Series
The Stump Jump is a challenging ultramarathon trail race held annually on the first Saturday of October along the Cumberland Trail just outside Chattanooga, Tennessee. The course has 3 sections, sections 1 and 3 out to Indian Rockhouse and back, and section 2 Mullen's Cove Loop, which is currently listed separately in the guide. Begin at Shackleford...
Annual event hosted by Kris and Randy
The idea of an FA run is casual, yet minorly serious, competition with no prizes, little support and a great atmosphere. This course makes a great training run or an even better day hike for those looking to get to know Lookout Mountain. There are wide and level portions (Upper Truck), tricky descent and thigh burning ascent (John Smartt and Lower...
Nashville's attractions offer history, music, architecture, nature and more.
When people think of Nashville, three things instantly come to mind: hot chicken, history, and music. Food, culture, and entertainment are the common threads connecting this city and its people, so it's no surprise that much of what you will experience on a City Highlights tour of Nashville revolves around food, music, and tours of historical sites...
Trips
An early morning hike to the Chimney Tops in the Smoky Mountains. The early section is very pretty and follows a scenic stream with several creek crossings. Then comes a harsh steep section that probably stops the casual tourist. Things finally level off and lead you to the peak and some wonderful views.We were in a rush to return to our hotel for check-out time so couldn't fully explore the rocky peak. ...
A beautiful hike to a very nice waterfall. You can walk behind the falls without getting wet.
