Forest Service unit 0804 · Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia

Trails in Cherokee National Forest

Cherokee National Forest publishes 185 named trails totalling 677 miles in the Forest Service trail layer. Pages here cover 46 of them, every trail with a national designation or an accessible segment and every trail of at least 4.5 miles. Trails here enter 11 wilderness areas.

Cherokee National Forest official page ↗ · Cherokee National Forest on Wilderness Atlas ↗

By use

Hiking 1 Horse and pack stock 1 Mountain biking 1

The Forest Service trail layer records allowed uses for 1 of the 185 trails here and lists the rest as not available, so these counts cover only those 1.

Wilderness areas these trails enter

Citico Creek Wilderness 14 trails
Big Frog Wilderness 10 trails
Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness 5 trails
Bald River Gorge Wilderness 5 trails
Gee Creek Wilderness 4 trails
Unaka Mountain Wilderness 4 trails
Sampson Mountain Wilderness 4 trails
Little Frog Mountain Wilderness 3 trails
Cohutta Wilderness 3 trails
Pond Mountain Wilderness 3 trails
Upper Bald River Wilderness 2 trails

All 185 trails, longest first

Trail	Miles	Class	Allowed uses
Benton-McKayeBig Frog Wilderness	48.1	not recorded	not recorded
Benton Mackaye	22.3	developed	Hiking, Horse and pack stock, Mountain biking
John Muir National Recreation	20.7	not recorded	not recorded
Iron Mountain	19.3	not recorded	not recorded
Flatwoods Horse Trail	13.8	not recorded	not recorded
Meadow Creek Mtn Trail	13.7	not recorded	not recorded
Dark Hollow Horse Trail	13.5	not recorded	not recorded
Buffalo Mountain ATV Trail	12.8	not recorded	not recorded
Sylco Loop	11.3	not recorded	not recorded
South Fork of Citico TrailCitico Creek Wilderness	10.4	not recorded	not recorded
Fodderstack MountainCitico Creek Wilderness	10.3	not recorded	not recorded
Unicoi Mountain Horse Trail	9.9	not recorded	not recorded
Paint Mtn Trail	9.6	not recorded	not recorded
Holston Mountain Trail	9.5	not recorded	not recorded
Warriors Passage Trail	8.1	not recorded	not recorded
Laurel Fork Trail	8	not recorded	not recorded
Coffee Branch TrailGee Creek Wilderness	7.9	not recorded	not recorded
Cooper Gap	7.6	not recorded	not recorded
Brush Creek Bike Trail	6.9	not recorded	not recorded
Brookshire CreekUpper Bald River Wilderness	6.7	not recorded	not recorded
Basin LeadBald River Gorge Wilderness	6.2	not recorded	not recorded
Chestnut Loop Bike Trail	6.2	not recorded	not recorded
Flats Mountain TrailCitico Creek Wilderness	6.2	not recorded	not recorded
Sycamore Creek Trail	6	not recorded	not recorded
Holston Mountain West	5.9	not recorded	not recorded
Rogers Ridge Trail	5.8	not recorded	not recorded
Unicoi Mtn Motorcycle Trail	5.8	not recorded	not recorded
Bald River TrailBald River Gorge Wilderness	5.6	not recorded	not recorded
Little Citico Horse 3	5.6	not recorded	not recorded
Big Frog Mountain Hiking TrailBig Frog Wilderness	5.5	not recorded	not recorded
Rock Creek TrailLittle Frog Mountain Wilderness	5.5	not recorded	not recorded
Starr Mountain Horse Trail	5.5	not recorded	not recorded
Clear Creek Trail	5.4	not recorded	not recorded
Licklog Ridge TrailBig Frog Wilderness	5.4	not recorded	not recorded
Little Pond Mountain	5.4	not recorded	not recorded
North Fork of Citico TrailCitico Creek Wilderness	5.4	not recorded	not recorded
Stamping Ground Horse TrailUnaka Mountain Wilderness	5.2	not recorded	not recorded
Conasauga River	5.1	not recorded	not recorded
HemptopBig Frog Wilderness	5	not recorded	not recorded
Grassy GapBig Frog Wilderness	4.9	not recorded	not recorded
Starr Mountain Hiking TrailGee Creek Wilderness	4.9	not recorded	not recorded
Kirkland Creek TrailUpper Bald River Wilderness	4.7	not recorded	not recorded
California Trail	4.5	not recorded	not recorded
Longarm Trail	4.5	not recorded	not recorded
Pond Mountain Wilderness TrailPond Mountain Wilderness	4.5	not recorded	not recorded
Rocky Flats TrailCitico Creek Wilderness	4.5	not recorded	not recorded
Brush Mountain Hiking TrailCitico Creek Wilderness	4.4	not recorded	not recorded
Clemmer Bike Trail	4.4	not recorded	not recorded
Dry Pond Lead TrailLittle Frog Mountain Wilderness	4.4	not recorded	not recorded
Henderson Mountain TrailBald River Gorge Wilderness	4.2	not recorded	not recorded
Big Creek Hiking TrailBig Frog Wilderness	4.1	not recorded	not recorded
Hogback Horse Trail	4	not recorded	not recorded
McNabb Creek Trail	3.9	not recorded	not recorded
Oswald Dome Trail	3.9	not recorded	not recorded
Chestnut Mountain Horse TrailGee Creek Wilderness	3.8	not recorded	not recorded
Ibra Lake Loop Trail	3.6	not recorded	not recorded
Pine Ridge TrailCitico Creek Wilderness	3.6	not recorded	not recorded
Rattlesnake Ridge TrailUnaka Mountain Wilderness	3.6	not recorded	not recorded
Smith Mtn Motorcycle Trail	3.6	not recorded	not recorded
Unicoi Mountain Hiking Trail	3.6	not recorded	not recorded
Caney Creek Trail	3.5	not recorded	not recorded
Cold Springs GapCitico Creek Wilderness	3.5	not recorded	not recorded
Greene Mtn Horse Trail	3.5	not recorded	not recorded
Stiffknee TrailJoyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness	3.4	not recorded	not recorded
Bullet Creek Horse Trail	3.3	not recorded	not recorded
Riverview Bike Trail	3.3	not recorded	not recorded
Coker Creek Falls Trail	3.2	not recorded	not recorded
Gravelstand Top Trail	3.2	not recorded	not recorded
Limestone Cove TrailUnaka Mountain Wilderness	3.2	not recorded	not recorded
Hemlock Trail	3.1	not recorded	not recorded
Old Dug Rd	3.1	not recorded	not recorded
Sarvis Cove Trail	3.1	not recorded	not recorded
Laurel Branch Trail	3	not recorded	not recorded
Little Citico Horse 4	3	not recorded	not recorded
Little Paint Creek Trail	3	not recorded	not recorded
Whigg Ridge Trail	3	not recorded	not recorded
Blue Ridge Divide Trail	2.9	not recorded	not recorded
Chimney Rocks Trail	2.9	not recorded	not recorded
Rough CreekBig Frog Wilderness	2.9	not recorded	not recorded
Davis Creek Trail	2.8	not recorded	not recorded
Paint Creek Trail	2.8	not recorded	not recorded
Stone Mountain Trail	2.8	not recorded	not recorded
Bullen Hollow Trail	2.7	not recorded	not recorded
Dick Creek Horse Trail	2.7	not recorded	not recorded
Lacy Trap Trail	2.7	not recorded	not recorded
Long Branch Trail	2.7	not recorded	not recorded
Middle Spring Ridge TrailSampson Mountain Wilderness	2.7	not recorded	not recorded
Patty Ridge Trail	2.7	not recorded	not recorded
Turtletown Creek Falls Hiking	2.7	not recorded	not recorded
Crowder Place TrailCitico Creek Wilderness	2.6	not recorded	not recorded
Josiah Hiking Trail	2.5	not recorded	not recorded
Mill Branch TrailCitico Creek Wilderness	2.5	not recorded	not recorded
Backbone Rock	2.4	not recorded	not recorded
Laurel Loop	2.4	not recorded	not recorded
Old Homestead Trail	2.4	not recorded	not recorded
Wolf Ridge	2.4	not recorded	not recorded
Gentry Creek Falls	2.3	not recorded	not recorded
Granny Lewis Trail	2.3	not recorded	not recorded
Old Copper Road Bike Trail	2.3	not recorded	not recorded
Sugar Cove Trail	2.3	not recorded	not recorded
Yellow Stand LeadBig Frog Wilderness	2.3	not recorded	not recorded
Grassy Branch TrailCitico Creek Wilderness	2.2	not recorded	not recorded
Morrell Trail	2.2	not recorded	not recorded
Panther Branch Trail	2.2	not recorded	not recorded
West Fork TrailBig Frog Wilderness	2.2	not recorded	not recorded
Bartee Branch	2.1	not recorded	not recorded
Slickrock Loop Bike Trail	2.1	not recorded	not recorded
Walnut Mountain Trail	2.1	not recorded	not recorded
Azalea Hiking Trail	2	not recorded	not recorded
Hack Line Trail	2	not recorded	not recorded
Little Jennings Creek Trail	2	not recorded	not recorded
Squibb Creek TrailSampson Mountain Wilderness	2	not recorded	not recorded
Turkey Pen Cove TrailSampson Mountain Wilderness	2	not recorded	not recorded
Gee Creek Hiking TrailGee Creek Wilderness	1.9	not recorded	not recorded
Artie Hollow Trail	1.8	not recorded	not recorded
Big Stack GapJoyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness	1.8	not recorded	not recorded
Fork Ridge Hiking TrailBig Frog Wilderness	1.8	not recorded	not recorded
Jeffery'S Hell TrailCitico Creek Wilderness	1.8	not recorded	not recorded
Quartz Loop Bike Trail	1.8	not recorded	not recorded
Furnace Branch	1.7	not recorded	not recorded
Naked Widow Loop	1.7	not recorded	not recorded
Short Spur	1.7	not recorded	not recorded
Temple Hill Trail	1.7	not recorded	not recorded
Yellow Creek Horse Trail	1.7	not recorded	not recorded
Big Indian Branch	1.6	not recorded	not recorded
Little Oak	1.6	not recorded	not recorded
Rhododendron Trail	1.6	not recorded	not recorded
Scenic Spur Trail	1.6	not recorded	not recorded
Bear Paw Loop Bike Trail	1.5	not recorded	not recorded
Benton Falls Hiking Trails	1.5	not recorded	not recorded
Cowbell Hollow Horse Trail	1.5	not recorded	not recorded
Phillips Hollow Trail	1.5	not recorded	not recorded
Poplar Cove Horse Trail	1.5	not recorded	not recorded
Rock Creek Falls TrailUnaka Mountain Wilderness	1.5	not recorded	not recorded
Thunder Rock Express	1.5	not recorded	not recorded
Clemmer Spur	1.4	not recorded	not recorded
Falls Branch TrailCitico Creek Wilderness	1.4	not recorded	not recorded
Fisherman'S Trail	1.4	not recorded	not recorded
Flint Mill	1.4	not recorded	not recorded
Hampton-Blueline TrailPond Mountain Wilderness	1.4	not recorded	not recorded
Little Oak Mountain Trail	1.4	not recorded	not recorded
Sill Branch South Trail	1.4	not recorded	not recorded
Coon Den Falls	1.3	not recorded	not recorded
Gum Springs Trail	1.3	not recorded	not recorded
Poplar Hollow	1.2	not recorded	not recorded
Doctors Ridge Horse Trail	1.1	not recorded	not recorded
Jennings Creek Horse Trail	1.1	not recorded	not recorded
Rim Rock Trail	1	not recorded	not recorded
Bypass Bike Trail	0.9	not recorded	not recorded
Rock Creek Bicycle Trail	0.9	not recorded	not recorded
CowcampBald River Gorge Wilderness	0.8	not recorded	not recorded
Hell Hollow TrailSampson Mountain Wilderness	0.8	not recorded	not recorded
Josiah Horse Trail	0.8	not recorded	not recorded
Overmountain Victory Trail	0.8	not recorded	not recorded
Arbutus Hiking Trail	0.7	not recorded	not recorded
Bullet Creek Spur Horse Trail	0.7	not recorded	not recorded
Cardens Bluff Hiking Trail	0.7	not recorded	not recorded
Margarette Falls Trail	0.7	not recorded	not recorded
Brush Creek Spur	0.6	not recorded	not recorded
Burkett Ivens Horse Trail	0.6	not recorded	not recorded
Conasauga Falls Trail	0.6	not recorded	not recorded
High Water Alternate TrailPond Mountain Wilderness	0.6	not recorded	not recorded
Beech Bottoms Hiking TrailCohutta Wilderness	0.5	not recorded	not recorded
Boyd Gap Bike Trail	0.5	not recorded	not recorded
Gazebo	0.5	not recorded	not recorded
Lower Horse Creek Trail	0.5	not recorded	not recorded
McKamy Lake Trail	0.5	not recorded	not recorded
Petes Branch Trail	0.5	not recorded	not recorded
Rim Rock Spur	0.5	not recorded	not recorded
Scarlet Oak Trail	0.5	not recorded	not recorded
Sill Branch North Trail	0.5	not recorded	not recorded
Beach	0.4	not recorded	not recorded
Chilhowee Forest Walk	0.4	not recorded	not recorded
Elderberry	0.4	not recorded	not recorded
Watauga Point Hiking Trail	0.4	not recorded	not recorded
Backbone Falls Trail	0.3	not recorded	not recorded
Hemlock Forest Trail	0.3	not recorded	not recorded
Jacobs Trail	0.3	not recorded	not recorded
Riverview Spur	0.3	not recorded	not recorded
Lowery Falls	0.2	not recorded	not recorded
Red Leaf	0.2	not recorded	not recorded
Trail of the Hardwoods	0.2	not recorded	not recorded
Big Bald Shelter	0.1	not recorded	not recorded
Elderberry Spur	0.1	not recorded	not recorded
Quartz Bypass	0.1	not recorded	not recorded

Trails in plain text are shorter than 4.5 miles and are listed here only. Length, class and uses come from the same Forest Service record. Data refreshed November 1, 2026.

Guidebooks for Cherokee National Forest and Tennessee

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

Cherokee National Forest hiking guide
William H. Skelton and Lamar Alexander, 2024
Find at Bookshop.org
Five-Star Trails: Tri-Cities of Tennessee and Virginia
Johnny Molloy, 2018
Find at Bookshop.org
Hiking Tennessee
Kelley Roark, 2016
Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.