About West Fork
West Fork is a easy hiking trail near Ducktown in Polk County, Tennessee.. Managed by Cherokee National Forest. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
Photo by Jay Mantri on Unsplash
Easy
West Fork
Ducktown, Tennessee · Polk County · Cherokee National Forest
West Fork is a easy hiking trail near Ducktown in Polk County, Tennessee.. Managed by Cherokee National Forest. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
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35.05183, -84.49273
Open in OpenStreetMap5-Day Forecast
Weather at West Fork
Live forecast for the trailhead. Use it to pack and time your hike.
Today
Clear
80°/55°
🌬 9mph
↑ 6:24 AM ↓ 8:48 PM
Fri
Overcast
80°/61°
🌬 7mph
↑ 6:24 AM ↓ 8:49 PM
Sat
Overcast
82°/63°
🌬 6mph
↑ 6:23 AM ↓ 8:49 PM
Sun
Drizzle
76°/63°
💧 7%🌬 5mph
↑ 6:23 AM ↓ 8:50 PM
Mon
Rain Showers
77°/63°
💧 30%🌬 4mph
↑ 6:23 AM ↓ 8:50 PM
Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.
What “Easy” Means
Gentle terrain, well-marked. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Difficulty is derived from OpenStreetMap’s Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hiking scale, trail visibility, surface, distance, and elevation gain. Always verify current conditions before heading out.
What to Pack & Wear
Personalised to this trail’s length, elevation, difficulty, and the live forecast.
👔 What to Wear
- Moisture-wicking T-shirtLight color, breathable.
- Lightweight shorts or pantsQuick-dry preferred — sweat dries fast.
- Brimmed sun hatBetter than a cap for back-of-neck protection.
- Trail runnersBreathable mesh uppers.
🎒 What to Pack
- WaterBring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- High-energy snacksA snack for the trail.
- Sun protection (UV 7)SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
- First-aid kitBlister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- Offline mapDownload your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
- Dry bags for electronicsPhone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Trail Safety in Tennessee
Trail conditions in Tennessee change with weather, season, and fire activity. Closures, washouts, and rerouting are common. Before heading out:
- Check with the land manager for current conditions and closures
- Tell someone your plan and expected return time
- Know your turn-around limits — conditions can change fast
- Carry the 10 essentials: water, food, navigation, first aid, light, fire, shelter, knife, sun protection, extra clothes
References & Maps
Nearby
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