Blount County, Tennessee, United States
25.4 miles (40.9 km) · 5,989 ft elevation gain · Loop · trail · Route
Rocky Top - Thunderhead - Brier Knob Loop (TN) is a 25.4-mile loop route in Blount County, Tennessee, United States, gaining 5,993 feet of elevation. The route follows a up-and-over elevation profile. The terrain breaks into 7 distinct sections including 3 significant climbs. The longest climb covers 8.6 miles gaining 4,286 feet at an average 8.4% grade. About 52% of the terrain is runnable, with significant hiking sections. The route both opens and finishes with a descent.
| Distance | 25.4 mi (40.9 km) |
| Elevation gain | 5,989 ft (1,825 m) |
| Average gain | 236 ft per mile (45 m per km) |
| Longest climb | 8.6 mi, 3,813 ft of gain |
| Steepest climb grade | 31.2% |
| Runnable | 53% of the route |
| Climbs / descents | 3 climbs, 3 descents |
| Profile shape | Up, then down |
| Difficulty score | 13.9 of 100 |
| Surface | trail |
| Route shape | Loop |
| Type | Route |
| Grade band | Share of route |
|---|---|
| Flat | 4% |
| Mild uphill | 8% |
| Moderate uphill | 7% |
| Steep uphill | 24% |
| Mild downhill | 25% |
| Moderate downhill | 15% |
| Steep downhill | 16% |
Rocky Top - Thunderhead - Brier Knob Loop (TN) has 5,989 ft (1,825 m) of elevation gain over 25.4 miles (40.9 km). That averages 236 ft of gain per mile.
The difficulty score for Rocky Top - Thunderhead - Brier Knob Loop (TN) is 13.9 of 100. That is harder than 81% of routes at a similar distance. About 53% of the route is runnable at typical trail effort; the rest is steep enough that most runners hike.
The longest climb on Rocky Top - Thunderhead - Brier Knob Loop (TN) runs 8.6 miles (13.9 km) and gains 3,813 ft (1,162 m). The steepest climb grade on the route is 31.2%.
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