Sitting at 5,720 feet at its peak, Devil’s Courthouse is a prominent landmark along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Hike nearly half a mile with 280 feet of elevation gain to reach an observation point on Devil’s Courthouse. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views as far as the eye can see! On a clear sunny day, you can see all the way to South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Hike one of the most popular trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Chimney Tops! The panoramic views at the end make the tough uphill trek worth it. Be aware, the last 0.25 miles of the trail are closed due to fire damage which resulted in hazardous conditions. Thanks to a newly built observation point, you will have amazing views of the summit of Chimney Tops along with Mount LeConte. Add this iconic hike to your bucket list!
Sitting at 5,920 feet, Andrews Bald is the highest grassy bald in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This trail used to be quite treacherous until major improvements were made by Friends of the Smokies. Thanks to them, this hike is now accessible for adventurous people of all ages!
Escape the crowds of Clingmans Dome and find peace at one of the most beautiful grassy balds in the Smoky Mountains. Take the short hike to Andrews Bald and enjoy the amazing views of the southern Smokies and Fontana Lake. Set up a nice picnic on a warm, sunny day, capture the picturesque scenery, or simply breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy being in nature.
Clingmans Dome is a very popular touristy spot. But why? Well, sitting at 6,643 feet, it is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park AND in Tennessee! A short yet steep paved path leads to a 54-foot observation tower which offers beautiful 360-degree views.
Get there early, watch a stunning sunrise (if you’re lucky), and capture a few awesome shots. Make sure you are prepared for the steep incline (almost a 13% grade) and check the weather conditions prior to your trip. If you are in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Clingmans Dome is an adventure you don’t want to miss!
Dragon’s Tooth is a very unique 35-foot rock spire sitting on top of Cove Mountain in Catawba, Virginia. Tackle this challenging yet short hike to Dragon’s Tooth for amazing panoramic views! Go early in the morning for sunrise or later in the evening for sunset. Either way, the experience will be one to remember. Always know your limits and be careful! This route involves some rock scrambling which makes this hike along the Appalachian Trail even more interesting.
Experience breathtaking 270-degree views from McAfee Knob and take a picture at the famous ledge. The hike to McAfee Knob is the perfect little adventure for you and your family/friends/pets. Read my Complete Guide to Hiking McAfee Knob in 2024 to learn about the best time to go, day hike gear, trailhead location (plus all about the current trailhead closure), trail directions, and more!
Read my Complete Guide to Visiting Peaks of Otter to help plan your trip! Learn more about the best time to visit, where to stay, places to eat and drink, and the top things to do at Peaks of Otter and the surrounding area. It is a great area to explore and has so much history and beauty! Hiking to each of the three Peaks of Otter is the best part, in our opinion. 😉
Harkening Hill is part of the three Peaks of Otter located within the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. It is smallest peak with a height of 3,372 feet as compared to Flat Top and Sharp Top (the other two peaks). This hike is full of fun things to see, including an old farm! Harkening Hill and Johnson Farm Loop Trail is the perfect family-friendy (and pet-friendly) hike to do year-round!
Flat Top Mountain is an amazing hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is one of three other peaks known as the Peaks of Otter. This peak compared to the other ones is special because it is the tallest, sitting at 4,001 feet, and also it comes with more solitude. Its sister mountains (Sharp Top and Harkening Hill) get a lot more attention than Flat Top does, but that’s okay! We love hiking trails that are less popular.
Bearfence Mountain Loop trail is one of our favorite hikes in Shenandoah National Park! This short hike involves a challenging rock scramble to 360-degree views and continues on to another viewpoint with 180-degree views. This is definitely the perfect hike to add to your hiking bucket list!