Discover the Best Hikes in Knoxville, Tennessee Knoxville is a perfectly situated hiker’s paradise. The master chain of the Appalachian Range―the Great Smoky Mountains―rises within sight to the east. Protected as Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this area offers more than 900 miles of hiking trails amid rushing streams, rugged ridges, huge trees, colorful wildflowers, and abundant wildlife. To the west, the Cumberland Plateau features distinctly different terrain. Water-carved gorges slice through this elevated table of land, exposing rock walls and creating rock houses, sheer bluffs, and other remarkable geological formations. North of Knoxville, the ridge-and-valley country blends elements of the plateau and the high ranges. Explore 40 of Knoxville’s best, five-star trails with the guidance of acclaimed author and hiking expert Johnny Molloy. With hikes in this guide divided into five distinct areas, you’ll wind through hilly woodlands, around expansive lakes, and along meandering rivers. You’ll visit breathtaking waterfalls and find panoramic overlooks. Inside you’ll find: Descriptions of 40 five-star hiking trails for all levels and interests - Full-color GPS-based trail maps, elevation profiles, and detailed directions to trailheads - Insight into the history, flora, and fauna of the routes - Ratings for scenery, difficulty, trail condition, solitude, and accessibility for children Lace up, grab your pack, and hit the trail! Johnny Molloy is a writer and adventurer based in Johnson City, Tennessee. His outdoor passion was ignited on a backpacking trip in Great Smoky Mountains National Park while he was attending the University of Tennessee. That first foray unleashed a love of the outdoors that led Johnny to spend over 4,500 nights backpacking, canoe camping, and tent camping over the past three decades. Friends enjoyed his outdoor adventure stories; one even suggested he write a book. He pursued his friend’s idea and soon parlayed his love of the outdoors into an occupation. The results of his efforts are over 75 books and guides. His writings include hiking guidebooks, camping guidebooks, paddling guidebooks, comprehensive guidebooks about a specific area, and books about true outdoor adventures throughout the eastern United States. Though primarily involved with book publications, Johnny writes for varied magazines and websites. He continues writing and traveling extensively throughout the United States, pursuing a variety of outdoor endeavors. Johnny is a Gideon and an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Johnson City. His non-outdoor interests include reading, ancient and American history, and University of Tennessee sports. Seven Islands State Birding Park Hike Scenery: 5; Trail Condition: 4; Children: 4; Difficulty: 2; Solitude: 2 Key At-a-Glance Information GPS Trailhead Coordinates:  N35°57.193, W83°41.224 - Distance & Configuration:  5.6-mile triple loop, can be shortened - Hiking Time:  2.6 hours - Outstanding Features:  Birding, views, hiker bridge over French Broad River - Elevation:  900 feet at trailhead, 1,070 feet at high point - Access:  No fees, permits or passes required - Maps:  Seven Islands State Birding Park, USGS Boyds Creek - Facilities:  Picnic tables, interpretive barn, restrooms near trailhead - Wheelchair Access:  Yes, on trail to Seven Islands - Special Comments:  Park offers potential sightings of over 190 birds - Info:  Seven Islands State Birding Park, 2809 Kelly Lane, Kodak, TN 37764, 865-407-8335; tnstateparks.com In Brief Enjoy the views, variety—and birding—at this wonderful state park located on a bend of the French Broad River. First, climb to a view of the Smokies, then cruise woods and fields before dropping to pick up a track bridging the French Broad River to the Seven Islands. Next, walk the banks of the French Broad before turning up Kelly Lane Greenway, passing a historic house and barns. Hike Description This first-rate hiking experience presents a variety of sights and scenes—and trails—at this 56th Tennessee state park, established in 2013 and enhanced in 2019 with a hiker bridge over the French Broad River onto the Seven Islands, adding one more highlight to the trek. Culled from the historic Kelly Farm (Kellys still live on site) on naturally named Kelly Bend, Seven Islands State Birding Park is managed for wildlife while being used as an outdoor education facility, where hikers can learn a few things about the native flora and fauna of the wildlife preserve. Groups are guided through the park for educational purposes on a regular basis. You will find the trail system in excellent condition, well-marked and maintained. And with the addition of the all-access asphalt path from the trailhead to the Seven Islands in late 2019, a good trail system became great. The bridge provides intimate looks at the French Broad River and enables a loop around the largest of the Seven Islands, the cherry on top of a stellar trail experience. Be