Things to Do in Cherokee National Forest
Cherokee National Forest is a vast expanse of public land covering over 660,000 acres in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. This national forest is characterized by its steep slopes, narrow ridge tops, and pristine mountain streams, with elevations ranging from one thousand to six thousand feet. The diverse terrain supports a wide range of outdoor activities, including several sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more.
Things to Do in Cherokee National Forest
The Cherokee National Forest offers more…
128
Routes
4.9
(41)
Average rating
1126
People visited
33
hikers
23.2km
07:14
610m
1,410m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
25
hikers
4.79km
01:13
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
21
hikers
4.11km
01:21
270m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
20
hikers
39.3km
11:45
1,270m
1,180m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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88.2km
06:36
1,680m
2,760m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(7)
81
riders
53.3km
04:45
850m
850m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
riders
29.9km
02:08
520m
520m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
16.7km
01:04
160m
160m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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14
riders
93.3km
05:26
2,280m
2,280m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
25
riders
59.8km
02:55
680m
680m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
13
riders
47.2km
02:23
400m
400m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
14
riders
26.1km
01:20
250m
250m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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5.0
(1)
10
riders
15.3km
01:43
480m
480m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
25
riders
44.8km
04:27
980m
980m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
19
riders
22.9km
01:57
450m
450m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
15
riders
20.5km
02:08
490m
490m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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10
runners
7.94km
01:06
340m
340m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
6
runners
8.92km
01:06
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5
runners
17.2km
02:32
790m
790m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
3
runners
7.53km
00:57
140m
130m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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23
riders
30.1km
01:36
200m
200m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(2)
22
riders
37.9km
02:13
350m
350m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
16
riders
65.9km
04:49
1,430m
1,430m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
8
riders
57.4km
03:44
1,000m
1,000m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Cherokee National Forest?
Cherokee National Forest offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Jogging, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, Road cycling, and Gravel biking. The forest features over 700 miles of non-motorized trails.
How large is Cherokee National Forest?
Cherokee National Forest spans over 660,000 acres, making it the largest tract of public land in Tennessee. It stretches along the border with North Carolina.
What are the best hiking trails in Cherokee National Forest?
The forest includes approximately 150 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Popular destinations include trails to Laurel Falls and Benton Falls. More information can be found in the Hiking in Cherokee National Forest guide.
Are there easy hiking trails in Cherokee National Forest?
Yes, there are easy hiking options available, such as the relatively short hikes to Laurel Falls and Benton Falls. For more options, consult the Easy hikes in Cherokee National Forest guide.
Are there mountain biking trails in Cherokee National Forest?
Cherokee National Forest features extensive mountain biking trail systems, including Tanasi and Chilhowee in the Ocoee River Region. The Chilhowee Trail System alone offers over 20 miles (32 km) of trails. Explore routes in the MTB Trails in Cherokee National Forest guide.
Can I go cycling in Cherokee National Forest?
Yes, the forest offers scenic byways like the 43-mile (69 km) Cherohala Skyway and the Ocoee Scenic Byway for road cycling. Bicycles are permitted on designated national forest system trails and roads. Find routes in the Cycling in Cherokee National Forest guide.
Are there waterfalls in Cherokee National Forest?
The forest is home to numerous waterfalls, including the 80-foot (24 m) Laurel Falls and the 65-foot (20 m) Benton Falls. Detailed information is available in the Waterfall hikes in Cherokee National Forest guide.
What are the elevation ranges in Cherokee National Forest?
Elevations within Cherokee National Forest range from approximately 1,000 feet (305 m) to 6,000 feet (1,829 m). The terrain includes steep slopes and narrow ridge tops.
How popular is Cherokee National Forest for outdoor activities on komoot?
Cherokee National Forest features 193 routes on komoot, with over 6,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The routes have an average rating of 4.71 out of 5 stars.
What natural features can be found in Cherokee National Forest?
The forest is characterized by its mountains, including sections of the Unicoi Mountains and Roan Highlands, and features eleven wilderness areas. It also contains seven whitewater rivers, such as the Ocoee River, and lakes like Watauga Lake.
Where can I find more information about Cherokee National Forest?
The official website for Cherokee National Forest is provided by the U.S. Forest Service. The Supervisor's Office can be reached at +1 423-476-9700.
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