From the trailhead to your feet

Trails near Watauga Lake

Real trail beta from people who walk these regularly. Length, footing, parking, what the difficulty really feels like.

Round Bald via Carvers Gap

30 minutes from the lake

The short, world-famous hike to a 5,800-foot grassy summit on the Tennessee-North Carolina line.

easy · 1.5 miles round trip · 350 ft gain

Linn Cove Viaduct Trail

50 minutes from the lake

The short path under the most photographed concrete bridge in the South.

easy · About 0.5 mi out and back to the under-bridge view · 50 ft gain

Tweetsie Trail (Rail-to-Trail)

35 minutes to the Elizabethton trailhead

A flat 10-mile rail-to-trail between Elizabethton and Johnson City. Bring a bike.

easy · 10 miles one way (do as much as you want) · 200 ft gain

Watauga Lake Trail

10 minutes from the door

The flat lakeside walk along the south shore from Shook Branch. Easy enough for kids and grandparents, and the one most visitors drive past on their way to the AT.

easy · About 6 miles one-way along the shoreline (turn around when you're ready)

Grandfather Mountain

45 minutes from the lake

The Mile-High Swinging Bridge, animal habitats, and short walks at a 5,946-foot private nature park.

moderate · Varies, from easy walks at the top to a 2.4-mile rugged ridge traverse · 800 ft gain

Laurel Fork Falls

25 minutes from the door

A 50-foot waterfall in a hidden gorge, reached by a short hike from Dennis Cove. Most impressive in spring after the rain, and quiet on weekdays year-round.

moderate · About 2.6 miles round trip from Dennis Cove · 485 ft gain

Watauga Dam AT Crossing

10 minutes to Shook Branch trailhead

Walk the Appalachian Trail across the top of a 331-foot dam, with the lake on one side and a 30-story drop on the other. The most photographed hike on the lake.

moderate · About 8 miles round trip from Shook Branch · 700 ft gain

Pond Mountain

25 minutes from the door

The steep one. About 4 miles round trip and 1,500 feet up, and the only summit around here that shows you the full length of Watauga Lake in one frame.

strenuous · Roughly 4 miles out-and-back · 1500 ft gain