Eight hikes near ETSU worthy of your bucket list
Rhododendrons bloom on both sides of the Cloudland Trail on Roan Mountain.
East Tennessee State University is the Top Adventure College in the Southeast for the second year in a row, and with its campus surrounded by the beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains, one of the most popular adventures for students and employees alike is hiking.
June is National Great Outdoors Month, and we encourage you to take this opportunity to head to a regional hiking trail to enjoy the trees, streams and wildlife this region offers while getting away from the books and computers for some exercise.
The closest place is ETSU’s own University Woods and Trail System, a five-mile stretch of hiking, running and mountain biking trails accessible from parking lot 13 off Southwest Avenue and from behind the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. Guidelines and a map are available here.
Just a few miles from campus is Johnson City’s Buffalo Mountain Park, a 725-acre nature preserve with several trails to choose from that are rated moderately challenging. Some vistas offer breathtaking views.
For those willing to travel a short distance from campus to hike, ETSU alumnus Doug Janz shared a few suggestions of other regional trails, most of which are within an hour’s drive from ETSU. Janz is an avid hiker who wrote an outdoors column for a weekly publication of the Kingsport Times-News for 10 years, as well as articles for other outdoors publications. Here are a few of his recommendations:
- Margarette Falls and Bailey Falls – “Most people only venture as far as the 60-foot-high Margarette Falls, an easy hike and itself a premier destination in Greene County,” Janz said. “What makes this 3.2-mile round trip special is to continue on to the magical Bailey Falls, then eventually a creek walk before you find yourself in a surreal slot canyon setting that feels like it belongs in another world.”
- Roan Mountain – “This is probably the most popular hiking spot in our area, and for good reason,” Janz said. “The views from the balds – wide-open, grassy areas atop the ridgeline – at elevations rising above 6,000 feet, are magnificent throughout the trek.” He said it’s a 4.5-mile round trip following the Appalachian Trail (AT) from Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge, but those who want more of a challenge may continue “along the AT to find several more balds over the course of 8 miles. But remember, you’ve still gotta turn around and make it back to the car.” More information on Roan Mountain hiking is available here.
- Bays Mountain Park – “This Kingsport city park atop Bays Mountain is one of the true outdoor gems of our area,” Janz said. “There’s a nominal entrance fee, but the trail system is top-notch, with easy hikes around the mountaintop lake and over footbridges, as well as steep hikes that include an old but sturdy and climbable fire tower overlooking the Holston Army Ammunition Plant and the Holston River. And before you depart the park, see if you can catch a glimpse of the legendary Bays Mountain Wolves in their habitat near the visitors’ center.”
- Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park – This park in Unicoi County has 20 miles of marked trails. “The two most enjoyable,” Janz said, “may be the Rocky Fork Trail from the parking area along the gorgeous Rocky Fork – a rushing, boulder-filled stream, ideal for fishing, picnics or playing in the water – that leads to numerous other trails; or the short but extremely steep Whitehouse Cliffs Trail, a 2-mile round trip, for the best views in the park.”
- Eagle’s Nest – Janz says this hike above the Nolichucky River is fairly challenging and follows what is known as the Shinbone Trail, located at Indian Grave Gap near an AT road crossing. “Not as busy as the rest of these hikes and not as clearly marked,” he said, “this roughly 9-mile round trip pays off with breathtaking views from a boulder outcrop looking more than 800 feet down into the Nolichucky Gorge. You might see the tiny figures of rafters taking on the river’s Class III-IV rapids that sparkle in the sunlight, or glimpse a train following the tracks along the river. It can be hard to pull yourself away when it’s time to leave, and it’s somewhat of a slog to hike back out, but the views are worth the trouble.”
- Grandfather Mountain State Park – This hiking spot is the longest distance from ETSU among those listed here and is located 13 miles from Boone, North Carolina. “This legendary mountain is an amazing place in so many ways,” Janz said. “There’s simply nothing else like it. Grandfather offers strenuous hikes to the ridgeline from either side. Both approaches are rugged climbs but are always enthralling. For an even bigger challenge, follow the Grandfather Trail to summit all three peaks of Grandfather – Calloway Peak, MacRae Peak and Attic Window. Be prepared to scramble up rocks and climb ladders to some fairly exposed high points, but the rewards are some of the most incredible views you’ll find.”
Before you head out on these trails, be sure to research your destination using the resources provided through the links above and other sources. Be properly prepared, and don’t go alone – go with a buddy!
And during the regular academic year, look for hiking opportunities offered through ETSU Campus Recreation’s Outdoor Adventure division.
East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.
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