1.6 mi+150 ftout-and-back
Cross Mountain
Shady Valley, TN
A short open-ridge walk through mountaintop pasture with broad mountain views.
APPALACHIAN TRAIL · TENNESSEE
Tennessee
The Roan Highlands
In the Roan Highlands, the trail moves between grassy summits and southern spruce-fir forest. These are not interchangeable patches of green. A walk here can make the change from shelter to exposure unmistakable.
TNSouthern mountains
- 01Roan Highlands
- 02Cherokee National Forest
- 03Great Smoky Mountains
EXPLORE ON THE MAP
Start with a real walk, then explore around it.
Appalachian TrailTap a waypoint for details
NPS / ATC trail · U.S. Census statesDetailed official map ↗
Tennessee selected. Map focused on the state.
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ATC 14 STATE CHALLENGE
A real walk to start with.
PLAN A REAL STOP
Useful places in Tennessee
Start with things that change a walk: where you can access the trail, sleep, camp, or stop for a view. These come from the official NPS / ATC facilities dataset; check current notices before relying on them.
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KNOW THE STATE
What changes here.
Three landmarks to know
Roan Highlands · Cherokee National Forest · Great Smoky Mountains
Something to notice
At a safe stopping place, notice how the wind changes between open ground and the forest. What else changes with it?
ATC identifies both the grassy balds and rare southern spruce-fir forest as important parts of this landscape. Stay on the established trail; noticing the boundary does not require walking into the vegetation.
Planning note
Plan exposed high-country walks around the relevant forecast and a return option. Check current notices, including storm damage and land-manager requirements.