Tunnel Bypass Trail

Dogs No Dogs

This is a short trail with moderate elevation changes that make it a good choice for those who want to get off the nearby pavement.

Beginning across from the parking area, the Tunnel Bypass Trail quickly heads around the low southern tip of Tunnel Ridge. Two hundred and forty yards farther, the trail intersects the eastern terminus of the Goldmine Loop Trail, which circles down to an embayment of Fontana Lake before climbing up and around to intersect the Lakeshore Trail 110 yards beyond the western terminus of the Tunnel Bypass Trail.

Upon leaving the Goldmine Loop junction, the Tunnel Bypass Trail remains in dry-ridge hardwoods, proceeding a mile before crossing the headwaters of Hyatt Branch. From the creek crossing, the trail takes a course angling up to the Lakeshore Trail. It rises gradually over 350 yards to converge with the Lakeshore Trail past the end of the tunnel.

This content was contributed by author Ken Wise. For a comprehensive hiking guide to the Great Smoky Mountains and to see more by Ken, click here.