Information
Landmark: Appalachian Trail access pointsCity: Johnson City
Country: USA Tennessee
Continent: North America
Appalachian Trail access points, Johnson City, USA Tennessee, North America
Overview
Here’s a detailed list of Appalachian Trail access points in Tennessee and nearby border areas, written without a table so it flows clearly, starting in the south and moving north: Fontana Dam-just over the Tennessee–North Carolina line-marks the southern gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, its concrete wall rising above the deep green water below, in conjunction with in Fontana Village, you’ll find a key starting spot with trailhead parking, a visitor center, and a few handy shops just down the road, under certain circumstances Many thru‑hikers start their Smokies trek here, stepping onto the trail with the scent of pine hanging in the cool morning air, simultaneously clingmans Dome rises to 6,643 feet, making it the tallest spot on the Appalachian Trail, where the air feels crisp and thin.From U, then s.441’s Newfound Gap Road, take Clingmans Dome Road; a short paved path from the parking lot winds up to the observation tower, where the air smells faintly of pine, in addition the AT runs close by, and hikers often set out from here for crisp, high-elevation walks through spruce and fir.Newfound Gap sits along U, alternatively s.441 between Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina, with busy trailheads, wide parking lots, and restrooms you can spot from the road, what’s more from this spot, hikers can follow the AT north or south through the Smokies, passing sturdy wooden bridges and enjoying sweeping mountain views along the well-kept trail.Davenport Gap marks where the Appalachian Trail slips out of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with weathered signs and the scent of pine lingering in the air, meanwhile you reach it from Interstate 40 by taking Waterville Road, where the pavement narrows and dips toward the river.As it turns out, This spot feels quieter and tucked away, a region where thru-hikers often begin or wrap up their journey into the park, boots dusty from the trail, besides max Patch sits in North Carolina, just a short drive from the Tennessee border, where the grassy summit catches the wind, somewhat This open, grassy bald draws people for sweeping views, lazy picnics, and nights spent watching stars spill across the sky, likewise you can reach it by driving the gravel roads that wind in from Harmon Den or Del Rio.In scorching Springs, North Carolina, the trail cuts straight through the heart of downtown, past cafés and storefronts, giving the town a rare charm, while it sits just southeast of Tennessee, where you can grab supplies or kick off a section hike with ease-maybe after a quick stop for trail mix and water.You can step out of a café, still smelling of fresh coffee, and be on the trail within minutes, in turn sam’s Gap sits just off Interstate 26 near Flag Pond, Tennessee, and it’s a favorite spot for travelers to pull over, stretch their legs, and take in the mountain air.The lot has smooth, paved parking, and both section hikers and thru-hikers pull in, boots dusty from the trail, therefore from here, the trail climbs toward huge Bald, then winds along a ridge where the wind smells faintly of pine.Just outside Erwin, the Indian Grave Gap trail climbs toward the Beauty Spot, a grassy bald where the wind brushes your face and the mountains stretch in every direction, subsequently locals love it for quick hikes, especially when the trail smells faintly of pine.You get to the trail by taking Rock Creek Road off TN-395, and it wastes no time climbing to lofty viewpoints where the air feels crisp, at the same time iron Mountain Gap lies between Erwin and Roan Mountain, right where Unicoi and Carter counties meet, with pine trees crowding its winding road, to some extent Tucked deep in the woods, this quiet trailhead leads you into long, shaded stretches of the AT, where the terrain rolls gently and you’ll rarely meet another hiker, therefore carver’s Gap, a favorite spot for hikers, sits at the base of Roan Mountain where Tennessee meets North Carolina, offering sweeping views that start right at the trailhead.From here, hikers step onto the wide, wind-swept balds-Round Bald, Jane Bald, and Grassy Ridge Bald-where soft grass ripples underfoot, also this iconic hike ranks among the eastern U. S.’s best, beginning at Hughes Gap, where the road winds sharply uphill through cool, shadowed forest to the trailhead, furthermore from here, the trail climbs toward Roan High Knob, then winds on to the heritage Cloudland Hotel site where weathered stones still peek through the grass.Thick woods cover the area, making it a location where only seasoned hikers feel at home, and u.S, likewise 19E runs through the Roan Mountain and Elk Park area, a busy highway crossing just minutes from the trails and cool, pine-scented air of Roan Mountain State Park.The trail’s easy to spot, and you’ll find parking right at the trailhead, a few steps from the roadside gravel, after that you can head south to climb Hump Mountain, or turn north toward Hampton and the blue shimmer of Watauga Lake.Hiking up Hump Mountain treats you to some of the region’s best views, with wildflowers brushing your boots and ridgelines stretching out for miles, moreover dennis Cove Road, just outside Hampton, marks a busy trailhead where hikers set off for Laurel Falls-a stunning 40‑foot cascade that thunders beside the Appalachian Trail, relatively You get there by taking Dennis Cove Road, just off US-321, where the asphalt narrows and pine needles scatter across the shoulder, on top of that it’s a gorgeous stretch of land, though the terrain turns harsh in places, with jagged rocks and gorges that squeeze tight between towering walls.Just off U, in addition s.321 near Hampton, this spot hugs the shore of Watauga Lake before climbing toward ridge trails where the water glints far below, alternatively you’ll find trailheads just off U. S, while 321, where the path opens to sweeping views and overnight stops like Vandeventer Shelter, with its clear sightline across the glittering lake, mildly Cross Mountain sits high between Elizabethton and Shady Valley, a windswept gap you can reach by driving TN-91, moreover the trail winds through pastureland beneath a wide, open sky, with soft ground underfoot and hills rolling out in every direction.The broad trailhead works well for day hikes and makes an easy spot for shuttle drop-offs, with room to pull over beside the weathered sign, also tucked near Holston Mountain and the quiet curves of Shady Valley, Double Springs on US 421 offers a little-used trailhead that leads hikers into the secluded stretches of Iron Mountain Ridge, in some ways Backpackers craving solitude will love its quiet trails and the deep scent of pine in the air, in turn damascus, Virginia-just across the state line-sits north of the Tennessee stretch and is the next gigantic town where hikers stock up on food, catch their breath, and replace worn boots.Every year, the town comes alive for Trail Days, a festival that marks a key stop for hikers heading north, often pausing here for a warm meal and a rest, likewise each access point opens the door to a different slice of the Appalachian Trail-one might lead you to windswept balds, another into deep, quiet woods, past a tumbling waterfall, or straight into a trail-friendly town.Tennessee’s stretch of the AT draws hikers for its rich mix of wildlife, sweeping ridgelines, and the way sunlit meadows give way to shadowy, thick forests.
Author: Tourist Landmarks
Date: 2025-10-06
