Forney Ridge TrailModerate

Clingmans Dome

Moderate
Forney Ridge Trail

Distance (One Way)

5.4 miles

Elevation Gain

-2,605 feet

Trailhead

Clingmans Dome

Trail Description Written by Caroline Sullivan

Forney Ridge Trail is a 5.4 mile hike most notable for being the route to Andrews Bald. Since the trailhead is at Clingmans Dome (the highest point in Tennessee or North Carolina), you actually lose elevation when hiking from the dome's parking lot.

Past Andrews Bald you'll find that the trail is much more overgrown, narrow, and not anywhere near the busy trail that it was before. The trail completes at a junction with Springhouse Branch Trail, which you can combine with Forney Creek Trail for a long loop hike back to Clingmans Dome.

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#bald
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#downhill
#flame azaleas
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#north carolina
#rocky
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#moderate

Forney Ridge Trail Elevation Profile

Forney Ridge Trail Elevation Profile Tom Dunigan's Elevation Profiles

Trail Difficulty Scales Explained

Elevation Grade

9%

Fairly Steep

Paul Petzoldt Scale

10.6

Strenuous

5

10

15

Shenandoah Scale

168

Strenuous

50

100

150

Hiker Tips & Trivia

  • The first mile of the hike can be more strenuous, but becomes more moderate the farther you go.

Photo Gallery (14)

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