trails

Hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Map of Trails image courtesy of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The park has over 150 maintained hiking trails, offering more than 850 miles of hiking. Here’s our definitive guide to hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including a trail map of the national park, links and resources, most popular trails – AND the hidden gems, easy strolls, nature trails and best hikes…Read more »

The Nature Trails of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail

The Nature Trails of Great Smoky Mountains National Park are short and fairly easy trails developed by park rangers with the non-hiker in mind. They’re self-guiding, and some even have brochures that point out the many things to notice. Even though many of them are quite easy, and suitable for families with small children and… Read more »

The Quiet Walkways of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Quiet Walkway

The Quiet Walkways of Great Smoky Mountains National Park are short and relatively easy trails that lead directly from the road and plunge quickly into selected areas of natural beauty. They offer a peaceful and rewarding experience, and some of them are easy enough for any non-hiker to take a walk in the woods…Read more »

Little River Trail – An Easy and Fun Walk

Image courtesy of The Peaceful Side of the Smoky Mountains

Little River Trail is perfect for people with no hiking experience. We recommend it for families, and all ages, although not suitable for baby strollers or wheelchairs. There’s no need for hiking boots or any gear beyond a small backpack, some water bottles, and maybe some snacks. Sneakers and shorts is fine…Read more »

Meigs Creek Trail: Leading to Meigs Falls and Beyond

Meigs Creek Trail

From one of the most popular swimming holes in the Smokies to a majestic waterfall and more, Meigs Creek Trail has plenty to offer in terms of diverse scenery and unique experiences. Find out more about what awaits you throughout this lovely hike and learn how you can make the most of your time around… Read more »

Mount LeConte and Its Many Trails and Attractions

Mount LeConte and Its Many Trails and Attractions

In a region defined by its rolling peaks and captivating scenery, Mount LeConte holds a special place for many visitors to the Smoky Mountains. While its summit is not quite the tallest point in the range, Mount LeConte is enjoyed for the numerous hiking opportunities that surround it. The trails offer a plethora of excellent… Read more »

Fern Branch Falls and Porters Creek Trail: Great Trail, Great Waterfall

Fern Branch Falls and Porters Creek Trail: Great Trail, Great Waterfall

Fern Branch Falls is a beautiful 50-foot waterfall that lies along Porters Creek Trail, which is a moderately difficult 4-mile round-trip (2 miles each way) hike in the eastern part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This trail features some wonderful natural scenery and is one of the less traveled trails that you can drive… Read more »

Spruce Flats Falls: Beauty Worth Hiking For

Spruce Flats Falls: Beauty Worth Hiking For

Waterfalls are one of the most popular sights to visit in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you’re in the mood for discovery, one of the hidden gems of the park requires a short – but tricky – hike with some beautiful views, on a less well known trail that leads to a stunningly beautiful waterfall. This is Spruce Flats Falls trail…Read more »

Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and Trail

Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and Trail

From the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area you can access the Metcalf Bottoms trail, which is an easy-to-moderate hike that goes 1.5 miles out and back (3 miles round trip) and should be passable for almost all members of the family. The trail meanders along the river and provides views of some of the classic rolling… Read more »

Alum Cave Bluffs and Trail

Alum Cave Bluffs and Trail

One of the premier hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Alum Cave Trail. This popular trail features dramatic views and unique natural features, and culminates in a vista at Alum Cave Bluffs that will give you memories for life, and will leave you wanting to return. Enjoy a challenging and rewarding hike… Read more »

Curry Mountain Trail: Close to Metcalf Bottoms

Curry Mountain Trail: Close to Metcalf Bottoms

Curry Mountain Trail is a moderate, 3.3-mile (6.6 mi round trip) hiking trail near the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This trail is known for its solitude and copious wildflowers, and it is worth checking out if you are looking for a quiet hike in the wilderness. Embark on a… Read more »

Exploring the Tremont Area in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Exploring the Tremont Area in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Tremont area in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a beautiful place to drive, hike, fish, swim and simply enjoy the outstanding natural scenery and the quiet. There are many destinations and points of interest within the area, each one in itself enough to make memories to take away from your visit. Tremont Road… Read more »

Baskins Creek Falls: A Less Visited Waterfall

Baskins Creek Falls: A Less Visited Waterfall

Baskins Creek Falls is a less visited waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at the end of a 1.5-mile one-way, moderate hiking trail. It’s a great waterfall to visit if you prefer avoiding crowds and are willing to do some hiking, but the trip itself requires some planning. Hike to one of the lesser… Read more »

Winter Hiking Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Here are some suggested trails for winter hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This offers snow and ice in comparatively mild temperatures with accessible trails ranging from dead easy to challenging, and great scenery to traverse through, with visibility enhanced from the lack of leaves on most of the trees. The park is open… Read more »

Smoky Mountain Outdoor Center – on the Quiet Side

Smoky Mountain Outdoor Center free ticket!

Smoky Mountain Outdoor Center is a one-stop shop for river tubing, bike rentals and outdoor gear – located in Townsend next to the Little River, and close to trails, biking greenways and Cades Cove in the national park. Get a Free Bike Rental AND One Free Tubing Pass, plus over $700 in other coupons, when… Read more »

The Gatlinburg Trail: Beautiful, Easy & Pet Friendly

The Gatlinburg Trail

The Gatlinburg Trail is a popular hiking trail connecting Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Gatlinburg, suitable for all ages and skill levels, and accommodating pets and bicycles. Read on to discover more of what makes this trail unique. Great Views The hiking and walking trails of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are teeming… Read more »

Scenic Drives in the Smoky Mountains

Scenic Drives in the Smoky Mountains

Practically anywhere you drive in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee is a scenic drive, but here are some of the super-scenic roadways and places to stop along those roads, for photographs and memories. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, and some days this shows in the amount… Read more »

Best Hiking Trails In Gatlinburg: Favorite Hikes, Drives and Easy Walks

Rainbow Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular park in the nation. With more than 800 miles of trails that lead to waterfalls, stunning vistas, peaceful meadows and a diverse variety of plant and wildlife, the Park offers a vast range of hiking and viewing-point options. Here are some recommended light day-hiking trips that… Read more »

A Walk in the Woods: Smoky Mountain Guided Hiking & Nature Tours

A Walk in the Woods: Smoky Mountain Guided Hiking & Nature Tours

If you’ve tried some of the Scenic Drives & Easy Hikes we recommend, you may want to deepen your appreciation of the Smoky Mountains with more extended hiking. You can become a hiker-naturalist in an instant, with personal help from experienced guides. Book a guided tour in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with the nationally… Read more »

The Day Hiker: Hiking Gear in Gatlinburg

Image courtesy of the Day Hiker

The Day Hiker is a locally owned shop in Gatlinburg’s Village shopping area. Open 7 days a week, it’s a great destination for hiking equipment and supplies, including clothing, packs, trekking poles, maps, guides, books, and more. Prices are affordable, and the generous advice and hiking recommendations given cheerfully by the knowledgeable staff is free…. Read more »

Public Parks in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge

Public Parks in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge

UPDATE 2021 – Mills Park now has an excellent dog park where your four-legged family friend can run free and socialize! With Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the doorstep, it’s often overlooked that Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge both have some fine public parks to enjoy. These are great places to get out of the… Read more »