Tennessee · Hiking

Forest Walk

0.4 mi
loop
58 ft
climb
1,964 ft
high point
Loop
route
Feb, Apr–May
best months

Is Forest Walk open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Cherokee National Forest. It doesn't name Forest Walk, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Cherokee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Forest Walk is a short loop hike of about 0.4 miles in the Ocoee Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, within the South Cherokee National Forest & Wildlife Management Area. It is a joint-managed unit, and the route rises about 58 feet from its lowest point of 1,890 feet to a high of 1,964 feet. The climb is easy, with the steepest grade of about 10% at roughly 0.2 miles in, and the total descent is about twice the gain, so the whole trip is a gentle, low-impact outing. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Cleveland, which sits well below the trail, run to highs around 72°F in April and 73°F in October, while July highs average about 89°F. Temperatures on the trail run cooler than those figures. The Benton Falls Trail and McKamy Lake both lie about 0.1 mile away, and the Azalea Trail is about 0.2 miles off. Chilhowee Campground is roughly 0.3 miles from the route.

  • Best time to go · Feb, Apr–May

    Best time to visit Forest Walk

    Best months: February, April–May and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      50° / 29°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      55° / 33°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      63° / 39°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      72° / 47°

      12 wet

    5. May

      79° / 56°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      86° / 64°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 68°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      88° / 67°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 60°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 48°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 37°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      53° / 32°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cleveland Fltr Plt, TN, 11.5 mi away at 842 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors