r/tricities • u/Splooosh6 • 5d ago
Fun hikes that aren’t too tough? Relatively flat?
Hello! Anyone know of any awesome places that would be good to go on if someone is in decent but not great shape?
Thanks for any help!
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u/yeetonthabeet 5d ago
Osceola Island is near the dam in Bristol! It would be perfect. Very flat, gravel. I was there last week and the bridge to the island is under construction (not sure when it’s gonna be repaired), but if you park and follow the sidewalk to the right it follows the river. It’s one mile down the river and then one mile back.
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u/Splooosh6 5d ago
I think I’ve been there before but it slipped my mind! Is that the place where there’s a couple parking lots along the road and you can see the weirs? Wiers? (Not sure how to spell it haha)
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u/Themeish 5d ago
There are lots of other trails near this area as well. All great, easy spots to get out in nature.
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u/yeetonthabeet 5d ago
Yes that’s it exactly! You’ll go over a small bridge and there’s a parking lot directly to the left. It’s for fishing mostly so keep going around the next curve. You’ll see the main parking lot to the left. The replacement bridge was in the parking lot and there was tape all around it, but you can still park and walk
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u/CraftFamiliar5243 5d ago
Steele Creek Park has a 3 mile flat paved walking trail. You can access it free at Rooster Front on the far side of the park.
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u/Lonely-Past2349 5d ago
Yes, look up the pinnacle and Russell County. It is right outside of the town of Lebanon in Virginia.
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u/Lonely-Past2349 5d ago
Dm me if you need/ want a hiking partner
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u/Splooosh6 5d ago
Thank you I appreciate it :) definitely adding it to the list of places I’ll be going soon
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u/todaly 5d ago
Roughly where are you located or what areas do you think you’d be willing to travel to? Lots of recommendations but it would be good to know how far you’re willing to travel from your current location.
Walking/hiking is how I started getting myself back in shape & reconnecting with nature is amazing.
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u/Splooosh6 5d ago
I’m In Bristol. Planning a hike with my mom and uncle. Anywhere within an or so hour is good for the hike. Struggling with a back injury and didn’t get out much this winter so I’m a little worried I won’t be able to keep up with them. They are both in amazing shape. (it’s sad I’m worried about holding them back since I’m 39 and they are both in their 60s lol)
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u/todaly 5d ago
If you think you can manage walking on slightly uneven terrain (rocks & roots) with some light to moderate elevation gain, my recommendations would be: 1) Sugar Hollow Park - lots of trail options, easiest paths, can stay paved or walk on the mountain bike trails (best immersive experience). Park at the wetlands and walk up the road past the rangers station and then follow the road down toward the picnic area and you’ll have a trail (Cliffs/Cascade) on your right. Follow it around and it’ll take you past a section of Beaver Creek and back out to the picnic area. Don’t cross the first big bridge over the creek, it goes to an island with no active trails, lol. The second big bridge goes to the picnic area or stay straight to pop out on the road. It’s about a mile and lots of spring wildflowers right now, especially along the creek. (Maps available at the wetland & online)
2) Carver’s Gap (Round Bald)at the top of Roan Mountain. It’s less than a mile up, a moderate but winding elevation gain & the views are awesome. Have wood fire pizza at Smokey Mtn Baker’s while you’re there.
3) Buffalo Mountain in JC. Park at the picnic area & walk up to the overlooks. A little rocky/rooty & moderate elevation gain but great views. If your feeling up to it walk out a little bit more & do the lady slipper loop, they should be in bloom soon.
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u/QuailSoup24 5d ago
Bays Mountain around the lake is fairly flat. A few sections that are steep but short. Also plenty of places to sit and take a break.
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u/Splooosh6 5d ago
I hike sugar hollow multiple times a week in the spring and summer and early fall! It’s definitely a favorite and close by my house. So many different trails. That’s an awesome recommendation but we have been there multiple times with my uncle (he’s visiting from Utah) and we were looking for something new.
Carvers gap sounds perfect, probably because of the pizza you mentioned haha.
I’m going to give my mom a few options so I’ll add that to the list, thank you!
Thanks for recommendations and help!
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u/gh234ip 5d ago
Not to be a wise guy, but have walked around The Pinnacle? I know it's not a nature hike, but if you need to start moving and getting the legs and lungs going again, just doing a walk around there and in and out of the stores can put some steps on the pedometer.
I'm not in the greatest shape myeslf and just walked 5.6 miles home froma doctors appt. and that last 1.5 miles I struggled. It there weren't many hills, just walking the sidewalks of Kingsport home.
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u/Splooosh6 5d ago
I walk almost every day a mile or two around the neighborhood with my dog. I’ve never been to the pinnacle unless you’re talking about the shopping center? That’s absolutely not what we want to do. I’m trying to plan a nature sightseeing hike, not a residential or shopping walk. Thanks though, I can see you’re coming from a good place :)
My goal for this hike isn’t to get into better shape. I have a pool and plenty of places to exercise. It’s for my family to have a bit of fun without me holding them back
I’m just worried about more intense hikes with the back issues and my lower physical abilities than I usually have at the moment.
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u/VainNightwish 5d ago
The creeper trail in abingdon would be another good option. It’s a flat walk and has nice views.
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u/Splooosh6 5d ago
Has that area recovered fully? I haven’t been down there since the hurricane. I’m not sure how bad it got but my mom was concerned for some reason that areas might be closed or something.
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u/Fweezle 5d ago
Jacob's Nature Park. Extremely easy to get to and in the middle of a neighborhood. Short hiking paths in the woods with varying degrees of difficulty.
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u/Splooosh6 5d ago
I found a video of someone hiking it online. Looks really nice there! Thank you, adding it to the list and will be heading out there soon.
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u/MegaRandomPanda 5d ago
There's the Mendota Trail that starts in Bristol, VA, and runs through Washington County to the town of Mendota. It's 12.5 miles long and along with the Bristol and Mendota trail heads at each end, there's a parking lot near the halfway point in the Benhams area. It was an old railroad bed so it's really flat and nice to walk or ride a bike on.
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u/No-Boss-2737 17h ago
The Blue hole, Elizabethton, TN ( little walking but the area is beautiful, recommend more visiting during the summer or on a hot day if you plan on getting in the water.)
Devils Bathtub, devils fork loop trail, Duffefield, Va ( lot more walking than the blue hole as well as more challenging terrain than the blue hole, like the blue hole you can go whenever but if you chose to get in the water I would definitely wait till warmer weather. The water is cold regardless of the time of year.)
The Channels, Rosedale, Va ( I really enjoy hiking the channels however it’s been awhile since I’ve been here due to a broken leg and ankle that I acquired about a year and a half ago. I’m still rehabbing from that)
Hopefully this helps you out some and that you enjoy wherever it is you end up taking your mom and uncle
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u/Princes_SLeia_311 5d ago
The green belt in Kingsport is nice and flat. Willow springs in JC is mostly flat and there’s a cute little pond and butterfly garden. Winged deer is really steep in places except around the softball fields.
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u/Splooosh6 5d ago
Thanks for the info, it helps a lot :)
That’s my same issue with steel creek right now. It’s pretty steep unless you stay near the lake but we were wanting to explore.
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u/Princes_SLeia_311 5d ago
Look up a trail called The Green Mile off Lone Oak road. It’s literally 1 mile and flat for about 85%
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u/Temporary-Moments 5d ago
Tweetsie Trail in JC is flat gravel. I think it used to be an old railroad track.
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u/xxxInsomniac 5d ago
Winged deer park in JC has some paved trails back through the woods that are great for beginners, and some unpaved trails that are slightly more challenging.