It's hard to choose which small town to fall in love with when you're in Tennessee. Each one seems somehow sweeter than the next, once community just as kind as its neighbor. Still, when it comes to beauty Tellico Plains really takes the cake. As a small town with an expansive natural footprint, you can hike to your heart's desire and still make it home in time for some southern comfort food.
Tellico Plains is located in Monroe County, Tennessee, and is home to a scant 880 folks as of 2010. While there may not be an excess of people, there is an expansive amount of local, natural beauty.
The area is well known as the original home of the Muscogee and Cherokee, both of whom settled the land before European colonists made their way west to Tennessee.
Tellico Plains is actually well known for standing on the former sight of Great Tellico, a Cherokee town that was both well populated and important as a trading center in the 18th century.
The beauty of the city knows no bounds, from wooded hills to rolling fields and rushing waterfalls.
Even if you aren't on foot, the roads are pretty perfect, too.
Known as the entrance to the Cherohala Skyway, you can make your way by car, cutting through the Great Smoky Mountains, or by foot straight through the heart of it.
The Benton MacKaye Trail is a popular, well-maintained hiking spot, as is Bald River Falls Trail and Falls Branch Trail. There are multiple types that oscillate between difficult and easy ratings.
Coker Creek Falls is an easy trail at only 3.5 miles, and you're rewarded with a seven stair waterfall step cascades. Buck Bald is also rated as an easy hike, and you'll get to enjoy 360-degree views and picnic tables at the height of it all.
Tellico Plains is the kind of town you visit over and over again, a sweet place that's full of kind people and gorgeous views. What's not to love?
Take a closer look at this vintage Tennessee town, below:
What a beautiful place! If you want to keep exploring, you should check out this super unique tour through the Tennessee wilderness.
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