Over 47 million Americans have gone hiking or backpacking in the last 12 months. Many of these people claim hiking as their number one hobby and some went hiking for the first time. Regardless, hiking is a favorite activity among many Americans, not only because of the health benefits but also because of the amazing places that it will take you. In Anderson County, you can adventure along trails that will take you to ridge tops, lead you to valleys, through hollows and along the lakes and rivers.
There are also trails that accommodate every skill and endurance level whether you are an avid hiker, a Sunday afternoon explorer or a trail runner. Not to mention that our trails are perfect in any season. They are actually very different in each season. In October and November, you will see the mosaic mixture of yellows, reds and oranges created by the fall foliage. In the winter, after the leaves have fallen, you can see the contours of the land and capture views from vistas that you can’t see any other time of the year. When spring arrives, about March, the wildflowers and budding trees create a beautiful canvas along the trails of every color that you can imagine.
Some of our favorite trails are at Norris Dam State Park. They are our favorite because there is a variety of trails from walking trails to extreme uphill trails that will entice the hardcore trail runner. They also have some of the best views of the Cumberland Mountains and Norris Lake. Their 15 different trails, totaling 17 miles, are located on both sides of the park. (FYI, for our first time visitors, Norris Dam State Park is 4,000 acres and lays to the west and the east of Norris Dam.) The trails range from ½ mile trails to a five mile trail.
You can find a detailed map here.
A few things to know before you go:
There are several events at the park that feature the trails that you do not want to miss:
Be sure to check out the event calendar, sign up for our newsletters or like us on facebook for the hike of the month.