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It’s undeniable that one of the most magical things that one can do is to spend time hiking through the mountains and breathing in the fresh air, all while taking in mountain top panoramic views. There truly can be nowhere better to do just that than in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Gatlinburg is a quaint alpine resort town nestled at the base of Mount Leconte, known as the gateway to the iconic Great Smoky Mountain National Park, named one of the best parks on the East Coast.
When you visit Gatlinburg, you enter a hikers paradise with seemingly endless choices between mountain hiking, waterfall hikes, and peaceful nature trails. Whether a novice hiker, a family looking for kid-friendly trails or a seasoned hiker desiring more of a challenge, there truly is something in Gatlinburg for everyone.
Use this article as your go-to guide for:
- Short Family-Friendly Hikes
- Challenging Trails
- Waterfall Trails
- Wildflower and Wildlife Trails
Short Hikes
Clingman’s Dome
Get ready for epic 360-degree panoramic views from the 54-foot observation tower located on the highest point in Tennessee. It’s so high up that you have to remember to dress for cooler weather because temperatures here can dip as low as 10-20 degrees below temperatures in the lowlands. While this is considered an easy hike with only a half-mile paved trail, the road is quite steep, making it too difficult for bikes, strollers, wheelchairs or anyone where strenuous activity isn’t recommended.
Hiker’s Tip: Plan to visit for either sunset or sunrise for a show you won’t soon forget.
Round trip: Approximately 1 hour
Andrews Bald
This trek is the perfect addition to a visit to Clingman’s Dome Observation tower. One of the fun features of this hike is that when you start out, you’ll be in Tennessee, and when you reach the summit, you’ll be in the beautiful state of North Carolina.
Andrews Bald is a peaceful, treeless summit with wild berries and a dainty little blue wildflower called a bluet growing along the trail.
Hikers Tip: Plan to take along a picnic and take a rest once you reach the bald, where you can enjoy your refreshments with the family and take in the views of the Southern Smokies and surrounding lake.
Round trip: Approximately 2 hours
Chimney Tops Trail
Located at the parking lot on Newfound Gap, this is one of the most popular trails recommended for those that don’t mind a strenuous hike and are not afraid of heights. In just the first mile, you’ll cross over West Prong of Little Pigeon River and then over Road Prong, where you’ll see lots of little waterfalls. Because of wildfires back in 2016, the trail was closed a quarter mile before you reach the Chimney Top, but hikers can still enjoy the view from a nearby observation deck.
Hikers Tip: Be prepared for crowds due to this trail’s popularity.
Round trip: Approximately 3 hours due to the rough terrain
Cataract Falls
This hike is one of the shortest hikes, with only a 3/4 mile trail making it suitable for small children and older family members. It’s also the most convenient, with less than a 10-minute drive from downtown Gatlinburg to see the beautiful 25-foot falls. Parents will be glad to see that the trail is well maintained with sturdy bridges and handrails to keep the kids safe. Although Cataract Falls isn’t far from town, once you hit the trail, the hum of the tourists and businesses will melt away.
To find the trail, look for the concrete path at Sugarlands Visitors Centre, where there are benches and picnic tables for meeting and eating with friends before starting out.
Hiker’s Tip: Try to arrange to view the falls after rainfall for maximum water flow, but be sure to take care on slippery rocks and bring some crocs along to let the kids paddle their feet in the creek.
Round trip: 30 -45 minutes for families with small children
Gatlinburg Trail
This hike is one of the most popular and widely trekked trails in the Gatlinburg area. The trail begins at Sugarlands Visitor Centre and is a 3.8-mile trek from end to end. Perfect for families and visitors looking for a relatively flat and easy hike.
Hikers Tip: This trail is dog-friendly, so don’t forget to pack your leash and bring your fur baby along for the adventure. Unlike many trails, this one is also bike-friendly, so if you have your bike with you, you can definitely bring it along.
Round trip: Approximately 1.5 hours
Challenging Hikes
Alum Trail To Mount LeConte
While this hike is challenging, it is one of the most hiked and most popular because you are rewarded with reaching the third highest peak in the Smoky Mountains on the 6,593 summit of Mt. Leconte.
After only 1.3 miles along, you will come upon Arch Rock. Alum Cave is not much further along where you’ll find evidence of an old Epsom salt manufacturing company from way back in the 1830s.
Don’t be too quick to strike this hike off your to-do list if you’re hiking with kids. Many families choose to go as far as the Alum Cave, where they stop to picnic and spend time splashing in the water. This hike could end up being one of your favourite day trips of your entire vacation.
If you plan to trek the entire way to the summit, be sure to stop and spend some time at Cliff Top, which is situated perfectly for taking in panoramic sunset views.
Hikers Tip: Areas are sure to be slippy, so hiker’s shoes are a must and don’t forget to be prepared for cooler temperatures.
Round trip: Approximately 6-9 hours depending on your fitness level and how much stopping and enjoying the gorgeous scenery you decide to do.
Bullhead Trail
The least travelled trail to the summit of Mount LeConte. This trail starts in exactly the same spot as The Rainbow Falls trail but lacks popularity because of its complete solitude, making it incredibly desirable for the hike to be challenged person vs. nature.
This trail also was one of the trails to suffer damage from the wildfires of 2016. As you hike, you will see the evidence of the toll that the fires had on the forest along with the regrowth as nature does its thing and works to renew itself.
Hikers Tip: If it’s in your plans to spend a night on Mt. Leconte, make sure to get yourself to Myrtle Point for the best view of the sunrise.
Round trip: Approximately 6-8 hours
Trillium Gap Trail
This hike is one of five trails to the summit of Mt. Leconte. This hike is considered strenuous. It is heavily forested. Two of the biggest reasons people choose to hike this trail are to see the Grotto Falls and potentially cross paths with Llamas that also make the trek three days of the week carrying supplies up the mountain. Should you choose to take Trillium Gap Trail to the Mount Leconte summit, plan to make a stop at Myrtle point for breathtaking views.
Hikers Tip – The lodge at the top offers $12 bag lunches for hikers
Round trip: 8-10 hours depending on time spent sightseeing
Waterfall Hikes
Ramsey Cascades
Ramsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall and most awe-inspiring in The Great Smoky Mountains. At the bottom of the impressive waterfall, salamanders can be found swimming in the pool. The trail is an 8-mile roundtrip, and because of its rocky terrain, it can be fairly strenuous.
Hiker’s Tip: Be sure to wear appropriate footwear, bring lots of drinking water and stay back from slippery rocks around the top of the falls.
Round trip: 5-7 hours
Grotto Falls
Grotto Falls is an extremely popular trail with tourists making the trek to grab a photo in the pathway behind the falls. To make sure you have time to enjoy it in all of its beauty without having to fight the crowds, we recommend planning for an early start. If you’re lucky, you might also see the llamas that make the hike past Grotto Falls three times a week carrying supplies up the mountains.
Hikers Tip: Kid Friendly for school-age children, but be sure to have appropriate footwear for potentially slick areas, especially in and around the falls.
Round trip – Approximately 2-3 hours to the waterfall and back
Baskin Creek Falls
Baskin Creek Falls is a hiker favourite known for being easy to moderate and the probability of seeing bears along the way. Also, be on the lookout for Baskins Creek Cemetery Sign. The cemetery is about 200 metres off the trail but worth exploring if you have the time for it.
Hikers Tip: The hike is downhill for most of the way there, meaning uphill on the way back, so be sure to preserve your energy for the trip back to your car and bring lots of water.
Round trip – Approximately 2 hours
Wildflower & Wildlife Hikes
Sugarland Valley Nature Trail
This beautiful, scenic trail is perfect for families with its flat paved surface and easy hiking conditions. Don’t hesitate to bring along your stroller, older family members or anyone with physical considerations. This hike is one that everyone can participate in.
Hikers love it here because of its scenery, along with the old chimneys left still standing as a reminder of the old homesteads that used to be there. Even though this area suffered during the 2016 wildfires, it’s still known for its beautiful wildflowers and fauna along the way.
Bring along a fishing road and some water shoes to take full advantage of the creek that runs along the trail.
Hikers Tip: Many guests start their trip to The Great Smoky Mountains at the Sugarlands Visitor Centre. Here, you can watch a free little movie that will introduce you to the area, with rangers available to ask questions to, a museum exhibit, as well as bathroom facilities if you’ve been cooped up in the car for a while and a gift shop for souvenirs.
Round trip: Approximately 30 minutes
Greenbrier
This trail is much less travelled and is off the beaten path but worth the visit. In just the first mile, you’ll see wildflowers, including different varieties of orchids and rattlesnake-plantain. The best time of year to make this hike is in the spring, when the flowers are blooming.
Hiker’s Tip: Greenbrier has a picnic area, so don’t forget to bring along some snacks and plan to spend some time taking in the scenery.
Round trip: Approximately one and a half hours
If you’re planning or contemplating a trip to The Great Smoky Mountains, no trip will be complete without getting in some hiking. Whether you’re an avid hiker or looking for some easy hiking to take in the mountains, there’s a trail here for everyone. Families, couples and single travellers are guaranteed to find the right path for themselves.
Keep this guide as your go-to when planning your itinerary, and don’t forget to take lots of pictures. You’re going to be blown away by all the beauty you see.
Happy Travels!
