West Point
6,356 ft | 1 trails | Tennessee
6,356 ft
1 routes
Easy
About West Point
At 6,356 feet, West Point is a summit in Tennessee. The West Point Trail covers 0.4 miles round trip (out-and-back) with about 82 feet of elevation gain — a gradual walk with modest climbing.
Getting There
The trailhead is at 35.65328, -83.43164 (tap for driving directions). It's roughly 35 miles southeast 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
Late May through October is the main season. Snow and ice linger into spring and return early in fall at this latitude and elevation; in winter this becomes a different, more serious undertaking requiring traction devices and warm layers.
Know Before You Go
The Easy rating comes from the National Park Service difficulty formula, which weighs total distance against elevation gain. Most hikers should budget about 0.5 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 Cliff Top, Mount Le Conte and Balsam Point — each has its own guide on this site.
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Check Current Conditions
Trail conditions change frequently. Check the official land manager's site (linked under Data Sources on this page) and the NWS forecast before your hike.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to hike West Point?
The West Point Trail is 0.4 miles round trip with about 82 feet of elevation gain, and most hikers take roughly 0.5 hours of moving time. Add time for breaks and conditions — winter or wet weather can double the trip.
How hard is the West Point hike?
It's rated Easy using the National Park Service difficulty formula (0.4 miles round trip, 82 ft of gain — about 200 ft of climbing per mile). The elevation profile on this page shows exactly where the steep sections fall.
Where is the West Point trailhead?
The trailhead is at 35.65328, -83.43164 in Tennessee. Use the driving-directions link in the Getting There section above, and note that parking at popular trailheads fills early on weekends.
Are dogs allowed on the West Point trail?
Rules vary by land manager — national parks often prohibit dogs on trails, while most national forests allow them on leash. Check with the managing agency for this trail before bringing your dog, and pack out waste.
When is the best time to hike West Point?
Late May through October for snow-free hiking. Check a summit point forecast before you go — conditions up high differ from the trailhead.
How tall is West Point?
West Point stands at 6,356 feet (1,937 meters) in Tennessee.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Afternoon thunderstorms
- Dehydration risk
- UV exposure above treeline
Turn-Around Time
1:00 PM (2:00 PM summer)
Plan to reach the summit by this time to allow safe descent before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Summit Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Nearby Peaks
Explore other mountains near West Point. Great for peak-bagging or planning your next adventure.
Peak Bagging Tip
Cliff Top is only 0.5 miles away. Consider combining these peaks for a bigger day or overnight trip!