Trails with Waterfalls

Laurel Fork Falls

Quality:

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Roundtrip: < 2 miles

NE Tennessee, From Elizabethton take HWY 19E to Hampton, HWY 321, follow signs to Dennis Cove Recreation Area, park at Appalachian Trail (AT) crossing before Rec area (signs tell you of the AT on left)

This short stretch of the AT is pretty nice. It follows a river for awhile, and crosses it on a wooden bridge once by a high cliff. The trail is an old rail bed, and it's kinda neat hiking through some tight rock cuts and thinking about a train fitting in there. The falls are really nice, and there is rarely anyone out there, so it's a secluded hike. It's just over a mile one way, and it's a good moderate trail. There is one steep pull just before the falls as the trail plunges down the mountain back to the river. This is a lot of fun when you have to plunge back UP the mountain on the way out! One note: the trail is marked with the typical AT white paint stripes, and you'll get used to following those, but if you're not careful, you'll notice the marks turn to blue. This means you missed the 90 degree turn of the trail cutting straight down the mountain, and you're on an AT bypass to a shelter instead of the falls. I found this out the hard way...I'm not too bright sometimes. Just watch for the sharp turn to the left, and you'll see the trail turn. Of course, you can follow the blue blazes back to the white blazes, and cut back to the falls that way...it's not quite as steep, but it is longer and has some rock scramblings.

Falls Branch

Quality:

Difficulty: Moderate
Roundtrip: >3 miles

SE Tennessee, From Sweetwater take HWY 68 south to Tellico Plains, HWY 165 past Indian Boundary, Trail head is on left in parking area at Jeffrey Hell Trail (#196)

This trail starts on the same trail as Jeffrey Hell, but after a few yards JH cuts to the right, and the Falls Branch trail cuts to the left. It's just under 1.5 miles, and it's pretty easy walking most of the way. After almost a mile, though, the trail turns sharply to the right, and starts straight down. It's still a nice hike, though, because this is a wet area with a good stand of virgin timber. The next .4 of a mile are pretty much straight down and will tire you out on the way back, but when you get to the falls it'll be worth it. This is one of the largest falls in the area, and it will be worth your time. It's also just a 3 mile round trip, so it's a good side venture or a good late day hike.

Slickrock Creek

- There are a couple of good falls on this trail, but it's more of a river trail, so see its description under rivers.

Bald River Falls

- This is a really nice fall, but the falls can be seen from the road, so the trail is more of a river trail.

Panthertown Valley

- There are several great falls in this valley, but I like the views, so check out the description here.

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