This Rural Road Trip Will Lead You To Some Of The Best Countryside Hidden Gems In Tennessee

Be sure to check out the itinerary for the full trip and directions. The total driving time is 2 hours and 15 minutes, and you will traverse a little over 80 miles. These hikes have beautiful views and great waterfalls. You will want to stretch this trip into two or even three days to fit everything in. If you are coming from far away and need a place to stay along the way check out the different hotels along the trip to find the perfect one for you. So let's hop in the car to see some hidden gems in Tennessee.

Roan Mountain is not a hidden gem per se, but is a must for anyone in Eastern Tennessee. Head on up to Carvers Gap; this location is right on the border with North Carolina. You already start high up at around 5,000 feet in elevation in the parking lot. Hike up a grassy hill and into a forest. Soon you will be greeted by the ridgeline of the mountain. You can hike along this mountain for quite a distance. Sweeping views of the large mountain ranges are on both sides of you during your travels. This is said to be the prettiest spot on the Appalachian Trail, and you will not want to miss it. There are several ways to experience the trail depending on the time and length you want to accomplish. Make sure you get all the trail info you need on AllTrails of the Grassy Ridge Trail before you go. There are three balds - all with amazing views - but if you are short on time, at least make it to the first one, which is called Round Bald. You will not be disappointed. This still remains one of my favorite hikes in East Tennessee and is beautiful all year long. If you would like to see what the fantastic view looks like please watch this Adventuring in the Moment video then my hope is that it inspires you to get out and do it yourself.

Red Fork Falls is located way in the mountains and doesn't even have a trailhead sign so this is definitely one of those hidden gems in Tennessee. This is only a .6-mile trail with 164 feet of elevation gain. Do not be fooled by the numbers - this trail is steep. Red Fork Falls is still fairly doable, but just know it can get very wet and the rocks are very slippery. It has been the site of many rescues so make sure you are prepared before you attempt this hike. That being said, the trail is a blast and will quickly lead to a beautiful waterfall with three sections. The top section is more like a stream with a little waterfall, but with the lush forest and natural beauty all around it, this makes for a peaceful spot. Heading on down to the second section of the waterfall, you will be greeted with a stunning flow of water falling straight down into the pool below. Climbing on the rocks, you will be able to see a natural waterslide carved into the rock itself. The last section is the calmest part, allowing a great stop to take a break and dip your feet in the water. A helpful tool is to have the map for Red Fork Falls from AllTrails. When we went on this trail it ended up being a wild and crazy adventure one that we still talk about after all this time so make sure to check out the Adventuring in the Moment video.

Martin’s Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall hike with little effort. This is a 2-mile hike with 364 feet of elevation gain, and the only difficult part is traversing down to the falls. The waterfall itself is a beautiful cascading fall splashing upon jagged rocks. It will only take you about an hour to complete and is a perfect place for a quick adventure. There are a few wrong turns you can take for this trail so it is helpful to have a map of Martin Creek Falls from AllTrails before you go. We did this trail in the winter and got lost, which was a funny twist to our excursion but made it that much more memorable. Check out that trip along with the beauty of this waterfall in the snow with our Adventuring in the Moment video.

This simple trail does not consist of hard scrambling but gives way to sweeping views. The Cherokee Mountain Road is a 2.9-mile loop hike with 754 feet of elevation gain and will mostly be following an old dirt road on a mountain. However, the biggest attraction is the incredible views you can have of the Cherokee Mountains. Also, be on the lookout under your feet for salamanders or unique butterflies. This trail is the closest you will get to civilization because it is right near Johnson City. However, it still remains relatively unknown so it is a classic example for hidden gems in Tennessee.

Here's one more waterfall trail to round off this amazing road trip. This one is a 2.4-mile out-and-back hike with 623 feet of elevation gain. In my experience, the first part of the trail is very easy as you walk down a very open rocky path. Then you turn and go deeper into the forest for more of that classic Tennessee trail look we all love. Lush vegetation and a beautiful stream will be following you the whole way up to the falls. Along the way, you can pass a bridge, climb up rock steps, and cross a stream. Once you arrive at Margarette Falls, you will be greeted with a magnificent waterfall cascading down jagged rocks. This little oasis takes some effort to get to, but when you do, it's time to take off your shoes, dip your feet in the water, and watch the waterfall into the clear pool below. Or you can be like me and just fall right into Magarette Falls by accident. Check out not only the funny fall into the pool but see this amazing hike with another Adventuring in the Moment video!