Rhododendron Trail trails

The Ramona Falls Loop in Oregon's Mount Hood Wilderness offers hikers a journey through lush forests, a crossing over the Sandy River, and the serene beauty of Ramona Falls cascading over basalt columns. Along the trail, one can enjoy views of Mount Hood and vibrant rhododendron blooms in season. The path is…

Distance: 7.5 mi • Elevation gain: 1,309 ft • Maximum elevation: 3,599 ft

The Hawksbill Trail in Linville Gorge offers a rewarding hiking experience that begins with a gradual climb through a forested path lined with rhododendron and hardwood trees. As you ascend, the trail becomes steeper and rockier, with the final stretch requiring a bit of a scramble before reaching the summit.…

Distance: 2.2 mi • Elevation gain: 696 ft • Maximum elevation: 3,944 ft

The hike to Blood Mountain via the Byron Herbert Reece Trail and Appalachian Trail offers a dynamic journey through lush forest canopies, rocky outcrops, and sweeping summit views. The route begins with a steady ascent through a valley lined with rhododendrons, ferns, and moss-covered boulders, eventually…

Distance: 4.3 mi • Elevation gain: 1,411 ft • Maximum elevation: 4,390 ft

The Graveyard Falls Loop Trail in Pisgah National Forest offers a dynamic hiking experience, blending scenic waterfalls with unique natural history. The trail meanders through open meadows and dense rhododendron thickets, a contrast shaped by a 1925 wildfire that left behind a landscape of exposed tree stumps…

Distance: 3.2 mi • Elevation gain: 472 ft • Maximum elevation: 5,312 ft

The Grassy Ridge Bald hike via the Appalachian Trail in the Roan Highlands is a standout experience for nature lovers. This trek features a progression through three scenic balds—Round Bald, Jane Bald, and Grassy Ridge Bald—each offering increasingly expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and beyond.…

Distance: 4.6 mi • Elevation gain: 1,148 ft • Maximum elevation: 6,181 ft

The Looking Glass Rock Trail in Pisgah National Forest offers a rewarding, moderately challenging hike with spectacular vistas. As you ascend, you'll pass through shaded forests, cross a stream, and encounter sections lined with rhododendron and mountain laurel, especially vibrant in spring. Once at the…

Distance: 2.7 mi • Elevation gain: 1,660 ft • Maximum elevation: 3,911 ft

The Lena Lake Trail in the Olympic National Forest offers a serene hiking experience through lush, old-growth forests, with stretches of vibrant rhododendron blooms during late spring. As you climb toward the lake, you'll encounter views of moss-covered trees, trickling streams, and the tranquil waters of Lena…

Distance: 5.1 mi • Elevation gain: 1,719 ft • Maximum elevation: 2,028 ft

The Copperas Falls Trail offers a serene creekside journey through the Clifty Wilderness, where hikers can enjoy the sound of flowing water and dense forests. Along the way, you'll pass lush rhododendron groves, rock outcrops, and scenic views leading to the 40-foot Copperas Falls, which cascades dramatically…

Distance: 3.3 mi • Elevation gain: 285 ft • Maximum elevation: 1,004 ft

The Hawksbill Mountain Trail offers hikers an accessible but rewarding adventure in the heart of the Linville Gorge Wilderness. As you climb through rhododendron-filled forests, you’ll encounter rock outcroppings that reward you with breathtaking panoramic views of the gorge below, including vistas of Table…

Distance: 2.1 mi • Elevation gain: 679 ft • Maximum elevation: 3,944 ft

This Waterfalls Loop via the Deep Creek Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a serene and scenic hiking experience. Along the way, hikers encounter three picturesque waterfalls: Juney Whank Falls, Indian Creek Falls and Tom Branch Falls. Each waterfall has its own charm, with the cascading…

Distance: 2.4 mi • Elevation gain: 617 ft • Maximum elevation: 2,267 ft

The Looking Glass Rock Trail offers an engaging and moderately strenuous hike with spectacular mountain views. Starting near a gentle stream, the path leads through lush rhododendron and laurel tunnels, eventually bringing you to a rocky clearing used as a helicopter pad. From there, the trail climbs further…

Distance: 6.0 mi • Elevation gain: 1,781 ft • Maximum elevation: 3,911 ft

The Mount Minsi Loop Trail is a rewarding hiking experience featuring diverse landscapes and breathtaking viewpoints. As you ascend, the trail reveals stunning vistas such as the dramatic Lookout Rock and the expansive views from Minsi Lookout, which showcases the winding Delaware River and Mount Tammany…

Distance: 4.8 mi • Elevation gain: 1,142 ft • Maximum elevation: 1,440 ft

The Shades of Death Trail is a captivating hike that leads adventurers along the enchanting Sand Spring Run, where cascading waterfalls and lush rhododendron thickets create a picturesque setting. As the trail winds through rocky terrain and offers glimpses of unique rock formations, it delivers a rewarding…

Distance: 2.3 mi • Elevation gain: 269 ft • Maximum elevation: 1,450 ft

The trail covering Long Pond, Ell Pond, and Ashville Pond is known for its rugged terrain and beautiful landscapes. This trail winds through scenic woodlands with dense mountain laurel, rhododendrons, and large glacial boulders, giving it a wild, remote feel. Though parts of the trail require careful…

Distance: 4.9 mi • Elevation gain: 302 ft • Maximum elevation: 377 ft

The Mirror Lake Loop Trail offers a moderately challenging yet scenic hike that begins in a conifer forest and steadily ascends to the serene Mirror Lake. Along the loop around the lake, you'll be treated to occasional views of the majestic Mount Hood reflected in the water, especially from the west side,…

Distance: 4.4 mi • Elevation gain: 837 ft • Maximum elevation: 4,173 ft

The hike from Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge Bald via the Appalachian Trail offers expansive views of the Roan Highlands, considered by many to be among the most scenic sections of the Appalachian Trail. As you traverse open grassy balds like Round Bald and Jane Bald, you'll be rewarded with panoramic vistas of…

Distance: 5.0 mi • Elevation gain: 1,286 ft • Maximum elevation: 6,191 ft

The Abrams Falls Trail is a moderate round-trip hike that begins near the Cades Cove Loop. The trail winds through pine-oak forests and alongside Abrams Creek, offering scenic views of hemlock trees and rhododendrons. Hikers will encounter rocky terrain and several footbridges, with the final reward being…

Distance: 5.3 mi • Elevation gain: 748 ft • Maximum elevation: 1,808 ft

Loop hike in the Rhododendron Cove Nature Preserve and the Wahkeena Nature Preserve. #Hiking #Loop #Nature #Forest

Distance: 2.0 mi • Elevation gain: 400 ft • Maximum elevation: 1,050 ft