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 is hiking.

June is National Outdoors Month and we encourage you to take this opportunity to head out to a regional hiking trail to enjoy the trees, streams and wildlife this area offers while getting away from books and computers for exercise.

The closest location is ETSU's University Woods and Trail System, a five-mile stretch of hiking, running and mountain biking trails accessible from Parking Lot 13 on Southwest Avenue and 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 difficult. Some panoramas offer breathtaking views.

For those who want to travel a short distance from campus to hike, ETSU alumnus Doug Janz shared some suggestions for other regional trails, most of which are within an hour's drive from ETSU. Janz is an avid hiker who wrote an outdoor column for a weekly publication in the Kingsport Times-News for 10 years, as well as articles for other outdoor publications. Here are some of his recommendations:

• Margarette Falls and Bailey Falls – “Most people only venture up to the 60-foot-tall Margarette Falls, an easy hike and in itself a top destination in Greene County,” Janz said. “What makes this 3.2 mile round trip special is continuing to magical Bailey Falls, then eventually walking through a creek before finding yourself in a surreal slot canyon setting that gives the feeling of belonging to 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 bald spots – large grassy areas at the top of the ridgeline – at elevations exceeding 6,000 feet, are magnificent throughout the hike.” 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 can continue “along the AT to find several more balds over a distance of 8 miles. But remember, you still have to turn around and get back to the car. More information about hiking Roan Mountain is available here.
• Bays Mountain Park – “This Kingsport city park, atop Bays Mountain, is one of our area’s true outdoor gems,” Janz said. “There is 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 including an ancient but rugged, climbable site overlooking the Holston Army Ammunition Plant and the Holston River. And before leaving the park, see if you can spot the legendary Bay Mountain Wolves in their habitat near the visitors center.
• Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park – This Unicoi County park has 20 miles of marked trails. “Perhaps the two most enjoyable,” Janz said, “are the Rocky Fork Trail from the parking area along the beautiful Rocky Fork – a rushing stream filled with rocks, ideal for fishing, picnicking or playing in the water – which leads to many 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 quite difficult and follows what is called the Shinbone Trail, located at Indian Grave Gap near an AT crossing. “Not as busy as the rest of these hikes and not as clearly marked,” he said, “this round trip of about 9 miles pays off with breathtaking views from a rock outcropping overlooking more than 800 feet deep in the Nolichucky Gorge You may be able to see the tiny silhouettes of rafters braving the river's Class III-IV rapids glistening in the sun, or spot a train following the railroad tracks along. the river It can be hard to walk away when it's time to leave, and it's a little difficult to go back, but the view is worth it.
• Grandfather Mountain State Park – This hiking location is the longest distance hike in ETSU of those listed here and is located 13 miles from Boone, North Carolina. “This legendary mountain is an incredible place in many ways,” Janz said. “There is simply nothing else like it.” Grandpa suggests strenuous hikes up to the ridgeline on both sides. Both approaches are difficult but still exciting climbs. For an even greater challenge, follow the Grandfather Trail to the summit of Grandfather's three peaks: Calloway Peak, MacRae Peak, and Attic Window. Be prepared to clamber over rocks and climb ladders to fairly exposed high points, but the rewards are some of the most incredible views you'll find anywhere.

Before you set out on these trails, be sure to research your destination using the resources provided through the links above and other sources. Be well prepared and don’t go alone – go with a buddy!

And during the regular academic year, look for hiking opportunities offered by ETSU Campus Recreation's Outdoor Adventure division.

East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a single mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. With its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practice. The university also offers nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computer science and media. ETSU enrolls approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges nationwide for graduating students with the least debt.