10 Incredible Trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States, a testament to the natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and thrilling activities available within the park. Renowned as hiker’s paradise with over 850 miles of trails, The Great Smoky Mountains easily have some of the best trails in the United States! As part of the larger Appalachian Mountain Range, The Smoky Mountains span over 500,000 acres, encompassing a variety of environments, from forests to waterfalls!
Having access to a local expert when visiting the Smokies is the best way to ensure your trip is the best one yet. Mountain Laurel Chalets serves their guests by having a deep understanding of the area and providing the perfect homes to explore it from. Guests can ask them questions, such as what trails allow pets or the best places to purchase your Great Smoky Mountain parking tags! When staying with Mountain Laurel Chalets, they have all of the information you need on hidden gems in the Smokies and Gatlinburg, whether it be a trail or a place to eat.
From accessible-friendly hiking trails to difficult treks, The Great Smoky Mountains have it all. However, to make your life just a little bit easier, here are 10 incredible trails to start your Smoky Mountain hiking getaway:
Low Difficulty
Abrams Falls
Located near the Cades Cove area, Abrams Falls Trail is a 5.2-mile round-trip hike that anyone who loves the outdoors will fall in love with. Considered easy to moderately difficult due to rocky, uneven sections, this trail features a more gradual ascent that makes it one of the easiest hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains, and it is more accessible for everyone. Abrams Falls truly steals the show with an impressive 20-foot waterfall! This is the perfect trail for those hoping for something a bit more quiet and less crowded than other areas.
Open year-round, Abrams Falls is the perfect place to explore, unwind, and absorb the beauty of the Smokies.
Gatlinburg Trail
The Gatlinburg Trail is a scenic 3.8-mile round-trip hike, perfect for families who only have an hour or so to spare and still want to get the best out of their Smoky Mountain experience. Following the gentle flow of the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River, this peaceful trail begins just outside of downtown Gatlinburg. What’s really special about this trail? Both dogs and bicycles are welcome on this trail!
Gatlinburg Trail has mostly flat terrain with minimal elevation gain of 160 feet. The trail is considered easy and ideal for families and casual hikers. Along the way, you’ll spot remnants of old homesteads and historical structures, charming footbridges, and stunning riverside views that make this walk both relaxing and rich in Appalachian history.
Open year-round, the Gatlinburg Trail is a favorite for its accessibility, beauty, and the chance to experience nature without venturing too far from town.
Cades Coves Loop
Surrounded by mountains, Cades Cove Loop is a breathtaking valley with a number of activities and sites to enjoy along with the hiking trails. This road features a number of paved pullouts where visitors can access trails, picnic areas, historic sites, camping grounds, and the beautiful Gregory Bald! Gregory Bald is a mountaintop meadow accessible from Cades Cove Loop, where travelers will be blown away by panoramic scenery.
The Cable Mill Historic Area is another great spot accessible through the Cades Cove Loop, where individuals can explore Appalachian communities of the past! This area is a hub for excitement and thrill of all kinds, making it a one stop wonder of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Medium Difficulty
Charlies Bunion
The Charlies Bunion Trail is an 8-mile round-trip hike, featuring some of the park’s most iconic viewpoints! Climbing steadily along the Appalachian Trail, this hike is classified as moderately strenuous for the rocky sections and significant elevation gain. However, this trail is not one you will regret! The highlight of Charlie Bunion is a rocky outcrop with mesmerizing panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and peaks, along with wildflower sightings in Spring and fall foliage.
Open year-round, hikers will love this challenging, but worthwhile trail.
Rainbow Falls Trail
Leading to one of the tallest waterfalls in the park, Rainbow Falls Trail is a stunning 5.4-mile round-trip hike. Considered moderately strenuous, this hike features a steep incline and rocky sections, however, the winning view of Rainbow Falls makes it worth the effort. The waterfall cascades 80 feet to the ground, providing a cooling mist that creates rainbows on particularly sunny days!
This trail exudes joy from the rainbows to the view, making it a haven for nature lovers of all kinds. Well-traveled and maintained, this challenging hike is a must-try for those looking for something a bit more thrilling for their Smoky Mountains getaway.
Andrews Bald Trail
Andrews Bald Trail is a 3.6-mile round-trip hike that leads directly to a stunning alpine meadow where visitors can enjoy breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains. Due to the steady ascent and rocky sections, this trail is considered moderate in difficulty, reaching 514 ft of elevation gain per mile. Especially beautiful in the spring, Andrews Bald features wildflowers in bloom along its grassy, open meadow at the top of the trail.
This will feel like a dream for hikers, after traveling through the thriving forest of trees, bushes, and the occasional wild animal. This is a wonder travelers can enjoy year-round, making it a must for those seeking a shorter trail with a big reward.
High Difficulty
Alum Cave Trail to Mt. LeConte
The Alum Cave Trail to Mt. LeConte is a 5-mile one-way hike that offers a bit of a challenge for even the most experienced hikers. Travelers can expect to be met with a steady ascent of over 2,700 ft of elevation and rocky terrain. Although this is one of the more challenging hikes in the Smoky Mountains, the trail does not disappoint, featuring a number of striking geological features. Visitors will love seeing the Alum Cave Bluffs, a massive rock overhang providing awe-inspiring views of the surrounding valleys.
From the old-growth forests to the dramatic cliffs, there is no wonder this is one of the most popular routes in the park! Open year-round, this trail is a great option for anyone during all seasons.
Ramsey Cascades Trail
Leading up to the park's tallest waterfall, Ramsey Cascades Trail is an 8-mile round-trip trail that will leave every hiker fulfilled. Featuring a steep incline, gaining over 2,000 ft of elevation, along with rough, rocky sections, this trail is strenuous and intense from beginning to end. Despite this however, the trail is well-loved and well-traveled, offering hikers views of old-growth forests, wildflowers, and the 100 ft cascade itself!
This difficult trek is perfect for experienced hikers or those looking for a bit more excitement. Regardless of the season, this exhilarating trail will not disappoint.
Clingmans Dome Trail/ Kuwohi Trailhead
Located along the state-line ridge, Kuwohi Trailhead maintains its place as a major destination within the Great Smokies! Kuwohi is renowned as a sacred place for the Cherokee people, sitting at the park’s highest point of 6,643 feet, a site that can be enjoyed from a 54-foot observation tower. On clear, sunny days, visitors will love views expanding over 100 miles into seven different states.
Although the trail itself is paved, this is one of the most difficult hikes in the Smokies due to the steep elevation of the trail. You will gain around 332 feet in elevation during a half-mile walk, but don’t worry, there are benches along the way to rest and catch your breath. For those who still want to see Clingman’s Dome without the challenging hike, there is opportunity to drive to the observation tower as well.
Chimney Tops Trail
Known for its steep and strenuous ascent, Chimney Tops Trail is perfect for hikers looking for a thrilling climb that will test their limits. Four miles round-trip, this amazing trail gains nearly 1,400 ft in elevation, making it incredibly challenging, especially in the final stretch when rock scrambling often comes into play. However, the effort is very quickly satisfied with astonishing panoramic views from the top, where you can see the two pointed peaks the trail was named after.
Although intense, this trail is one that keeps on giving, open year-round there is always something new to be explored.
These 10 incredible trails are only the tip of the spear when it comes to the variety of activities and experiences available when visiting the Great Smoky Mountains. From the stunning trails and dynamic weather, to the welcoming community of Gatlinburg, the Smokies are a fantastic destination for anyone looking to explore.
With the help of Mountain Laurel Chalets as your area experts, your perfect hiking getaway is only a click away!
