7 Cool And Calming Hikes To Take In Tennessee To Help You Reflect On The Year Ahead
Hiking tends to be associated with warm months and clear skies here in Tennessee. Unless you’re an avid hiker, it may seem a bit daunting to head out into the wilderness during the chillier months. If you’re going a bit stir-crazy there at home, check out one of these cool and calming hikes around the state that are perfect for a winter walkabout. Throw on a thermal and grab a mug of something warm, and you’re ready for a bit of natural magic. You don’t want to miss out on all the beauty Tennessee has to offer come wintertime, you know. It’s a true treat and well-worth an extra sweater or two.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
The Herb Parsons Lake Trail circumnavigates its eponymous lake in an easy, flat 6-mile loop. The trail offers plenty of picturesque views of the water, making this a great hike for a quiet and serene walk.
The Rainbow Falls Trail near Gatlinburg is a difficult one, but it's incredibly rewarding for those who stick it out. The trail is five and a half miles out and back and ends at the beautiful Rainbow Falls.
The Sewanee Perimeter Trail offers some of the most sweeping views of any trail in Tennessee. While the entire trail is more than 20 miles, doing just part of it is still quite a treat, as it winds along the ridge of the Cumberland Plateau.
The Laurel Falls Trail is also near Gatlinburg but is a much easier and shorter hike than Rainbow Falls. This two-and-a-half-mile hike is a popular one due to its much more gentle slope and the waterfall along the trail.
The Short Springs Loop Trail is about two and a half miles in total and features one of the most serene, secluded waterfalls in the entire state. If you want to get up close to the falls, you might have to walk through the creek, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Located just southwest of Columbia in Middle Tennesse, the Stillhouse Hollow Falls trail offers a very gentle loop that measures just over a mile long. If you're looking for a quick and quiet hike, this is the one for you. The falls themselves are about 75 feet tall in total, making them one of the taller falls in that part of the state.
Just northeast of Knoxville on House Mountain, the West Overlook Trail offers some of the most stunning sunset views you'll find anywhere in Tennessee. It's just about a mile from the parking lot to the overlook, but you can continue around the mountaintop to complete the 4-mile loop as well.
If you’d rather stay cozy inside, then you need to have a meal at Catherine & Mary’s, an Italian eatery that serves comfort food at its finest.
Address: Herb Parsons Lake, Tennessee 38017, USA
Address: Rainbow Falls Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Address: Perimeter Trail, Sewanee, TN, USA
Address: Laurel Falls Trail, Sevierville, TN 37862, USA
Address: Short Springs Road, Short Springs Rd, Tullahoma, TN 37388, USA
Address: Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area, Tennessee 38474, USA
Address: House Mountain, Corryton, TN 37721, USA
