Bote Mountain TrailModerate

Laurel Creek Rd. / Townsend, TN

Moderate
Bote Mountain Trail

Distance (One Way)

6.6 miles

Elevation Gain

3,448 feet

Trailhead

Laurel Creek Rd.

Location

Townsend, TN

Trail Description Written by Caroline Sullivan

Bote Mountain Trail is an uphill climb all the way to the Appalachian Trail. It connects to several other trails and is often hiked as a segment of a larger hike or an access point to the Appalachian Trail.

The most common routes that include Bote Mountain trail are for hiking to Rocky Top on Thunderhead Mountain and the Spence/Russell Field loop. Bote Mountain trail is characterized by its tunnel-like appearance.

The Bote Mountain Trail is an old road that passes along the ridge of Bote Mountain. When the road from Cades Cove to Spence Field was built in the 1850s, Cherokee workers were asked which ridge the road should follow. The workers pointed to the mountain and said “Bote”; i.e., “I vote for that one”, except there is no “V” sound in the Cherokee language.

#appalachian trail
#horse trail
#rhododendrons
#rocky top
#russell field
#thunderhead
#moderate
#townsend tn

Bote Mountain Trail Elevation Profile

Bote Mountain Trail Elevation Profile Tom Dunigan's Elevation Profiles

Trail Difficulty Scales Explained

Elevation Grade

10%

Fairly Steep

Paul Petzoldt Scale

13.5

Strenuous

5

10

15

Shenandoah Scale

213

Very Strenuous

50

100

150

Photo Gallery (6)

Trail Map

Read More

Spence Field To Russell Field: Smoky Mountain Loop Hike

Spence Field and Russell Field are two popular hiking destinations in the western section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Both areas also have backcountry shelters along the Appalachian Trail, making them useful locations for th...

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The above list of hiking trails in the Smokies is incomplete and constantly being updated. If you have information or photos you would like to contribute, please contact [email protected]

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