Appalachian Viewpoint–Rice Gap, 3 saddles

5.8 mi · ▲ 1,449 ft · 2 hr 39 min

Appalachian Viewpoint–Rice Gap, 3 saddles is a 5.8-mile out-and-back near Rice Bend, TN. The route passes Rice Gap before reaching Appalachian Viewpoint at the turnaround, 2.9 miles in. It climbs 1,449 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 86/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.

Elevation

0 mi3,278 – 4,479 ft · steepest grade: 18%5.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Rice Creek Road 35.97114, -82.59982
Nearest town Rice Bend, TN

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Appalachian Viewpoint–Rice Gap, 3 saddles

5.8 mi · ▲ 1,449 ft · 2 hr 39 min

Elevation 3,277–4,478 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Rice Creek Road · 35.97114, -82.59982

Weather Sep 5: sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:56 PM

  1. Start on Rice Creek Road, heading SW.
  2. 0.8 miPass Rice Gap.
  3. 50 ftTurn right onto Appalachian Trail, heading W.
  4. 1.7 miTurn right, heading NE.
  5. 0.4 miSharp left, heading NE.
  6. 50 ftReach Appalachian Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  7. 50 ftSharp right, heading N.
  8. 2 miTurn left onto Rice Creek Road, heading SE.
  9. 0.8 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

100% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 7:05 AMSunset 7:56 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.0 mi in (~81 min). Leave by 6:15 PM for the 7:56 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby