Great Smoky Mountains National Park attracts more visitors than any other national park, but did you know that there are a plethora of other mountains outside the park, too? Extending to the north, you have the Cherokee National Forest and to the east, you will find the Pisgah National Forest. Those two regions alone offer enough to keep you busy for a lifetime! If you are looking for A Tennessee hike that is a little bit different, check out what we deem the best hike near Newport, TN. The Davenport Gap to Max Patch is a challenging Tennessee hike, but if you are up for the workout you will be rewarded with incredible views.

Davenport Gap to Max Patch will take you from the mountains in East Tennessee and follow the ridgeline straddling the border to North Carolina till you reach the end destination at Max Patch.
David Shuler/ AllTrails
The hike isn’t a walk in the woods because you will be traveling 14 miles with over 5,000 feet of elevation gain. Also, keep in mind this is a point-to-point trail so it is recommended that you arrange a pickup or you will have to travel that distance all the way back.
You can expect rugged wilderness because this trek is actually part of the Appalachian Trail.
Nathan Gressett/ AllTrails
I have been fascinated with the AT heroes who hike for miles and miles over several months. I might not be there just yet, but trails like this one give us great opportunities to challenge ourselves and find the reward of conquering mountains.
The majority of the trail you will find yourself in the woods.
Annie Harrison/ AllTrails
This is a welcome reprieve from the hot sun in the summer, but weather can change rapidly in the mountains so make sure you wear layers. There are also limited water sources along the trail, so make sure you bring plenty of water for the trip.

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Some of my favorite hikes involve traveling along the ridgelines of bald mountains, and you will have plenty of that as well. Max Patch is a stunningly beautiful area with mountain layers as far as the eye can see. You can expect varied terrain full of ups and downs as you travel past several peaks.
David Shuler/ AllTrails
The mountains in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina are second to none. Lush green mountains loom in the distance in a seemingly endless wilderness. This scenic area is a fitting reward for those who made the trek along this long trail.
Jim Johnston/ AllTrails
Many people will leave Davenport Gap early to allow time to get to Max Patch during sunset. This is the perfect way to round off the day spent in our glorious mountains. Watch as the sky slowly fades in fantastic swirls of brilliant hues to finish off this rewarding hike.
Michael Mazur/ AllTrails

When you are looking for an Appalachian adventure, look no further than the Davenport Gap to Max Patch hike. It may be a difficult one, but those who make the trek are sure to agree that this is the best hike near Newport, Tennessee. I highly recommend preparing yourself beforehand and getting the AllTrails app to track your progress on the trail and keep a downloaded map to avoid getting lost. 

For all you nature lovers out there we have a list of some of the best hikes in Tennessee. Make sure you check it out and see how many you can add to your bucket list.  

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Davenport Gap, Tennessee 37722, USA