Butterfly Knob

Butterfly Knob is a 2,920-foot summit in Kentucky. The Butterfly Knob Trail covers 8.1 miles round trip (out-and-back) with about 515 feet of elevation gain — a gradual walk with modest climbing.

The Route

Most of the climbing comes early — the first half of the route does the bulk of the work before the grade eases. The steepest stretch arrives around mile 1.16, gaining roughly 500 feet per mile — expect a slow, deliberate pace through here.

Getting There

The trailhead is at 36.68214, -83.49477 (tap for driving directions). It's roughly 55 miles northeast of Knoxville, Tennessee. Arrive early on weekends — trailhead lots at popular peaks fill quickly, and cell service is often unreliable once you leave the highway.

When to Go

This trail is hikeable most of the year. Summer brings heat and humidity — carry extra water — while fall and spring offer the most comfortable conditions. Ice is possible on shaded stretches in mid-winter.

Know Before You Go

The Moderate rating comes from the National Park Service difficulty formula, which weighs total distance against elevation gain. Most hikers should budget about 3.0 hours of moving time; add margin for breaks, photos and the descent. Download the GPX track from this page before you go — cell coverage is unreliable in the mountains and a saved route works offline in any GPS app. Conditions change: verify current access, closures and weather with the official land manager before you go. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Looking to link objectives or plan a weekend? Nearby summits include Reynolds Mountain, Potato Knob and Fox Knob — each has its own guide on this site.