Hiking the Southeast

Blue Ridge ridgelines and Smoky Mountain old-growth, hikeable nearly year-round.

Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte

TN
Gatlinburg, Tennessee

The most scenic route to the Smokies' third-highest peak.

Hard11 mi2,763 ft gain

Old Rag Mountain Loop

VA
Etlan, Virginia

Shenandoah's iconic granite scramble with panoramic Blue Ridge views.

Hard9.4 mi2,415 ft gainPermit

Max Patch via the AT

NC
Hot Springs, North Carolina

A grassy bald on the AT with sunrise and sunset views across the Smokies.

Easy2.4 mi400 ft gain

Blood Mountain via Byron Reece

GA
Blairsville, Georgia

Georgia's highest peak on the Appalachian Trail with a CCC stone shelter.

Moderate4.3 mi1,430 ft gain

Hawksbill Mountain

NC
Linville Falls, North Carolina

A short, steep climb to the best overlook of the 'Grand Canyon of the East.'

Moderate1.5 mi700 ft gain