One of our favorite ways to take in the summer weather is to get in a good hike—plus, spending the days outdoors is also a great way to get some exercise! Don’t get us wrong, brunch or a mani-pedi is a perfect way to catch up with girlfriends, but getting in some gossip over a mountaintop picnic is seriously underrated. Whether you’re hitting the hills with your pups or going for a nature run, we’ve found the best trails to check out when the sun is shining and you’re breaking out the sunscreen!
Chestnut Top Trail
Dive headfirst into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for some wildflowers and black bears. During a full day of hiking, you can come upon more than 50 different species of flowers! The trial is scenic enough to entertain, but not too difficult that the whole family can’t come along, so bring the little tykes out for some outdoor fun!
Metcalf Bottoms Trail
If you’ve got a couple hours to spare during the day and want a break from the normality of a run on the treadmill, check out Metcalf Bottoms Trail. The short nature hike is certainly family friendly and ends near an old-fashioned log cabin school. At just 1.4 miles, you can get a great job in, going to the school and back!
Trillium Gap Trail
You don’t just have to be a walker, jogger, or runner to enjoy the trails…what about, say, horseback riders? Combine a day out on the trails with horseback riding on Trillium Gap Trail to Grotto Falls leading to Mt. Le Conte! The trails not exactly a cake walk, but getting to Grotto Falls is certainly worth it.
