North Ridge Trail

North Ridge Trail is a moderate out-and-back hike in Tennessee, set on city land within the City of Bristol. The route is about 5.6 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 1,993 feet, and it reaches a high point of 1,979 feet. The trail starts at an elevation of 1,951 feet, so the climb is essentially a round trip, with the same amount of gain and loss. The steepest stretch comes at about 1.7 miles in, where the grade reaches 23 percent. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically October and May, when typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bristol run to highs around 70°F and 77°F, with fewer wet days than the rest of the year. That station sits about 480 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run a little cooler. The hike takes about three hours to complete. Several other trails lie close by, including Cross Rdige Trail at 0.1 mile, High Ridge Trail at 0.3 mile and Hemlock Hollow Trail at 0.4 mile. For fishing, the South Fork Holston River is about 8.8 miles away.