Hiking and Trails

Hiking is one of my favorite activities to do in the Smokies. My favorite reference book for trail information in the Smokies is Hiking Trails Of The Smokies. I have 2 copies of it - one for the house and one for the car. This book gives you all the trail descriptions, length, warnings and general information on each trail. It is an invaluable resource if you plan to do alot of hiking in the Smokies.

Another must have is the trail map. The park service map is available at the visitors centers in the park or online - Smoky Mountains Trail Map. Another good map is Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hiking Map & Guide from Earthwalk Press. National Geographic also has a Smoky Mountain Trail Map - it is larger than the park services map. A waterproof map is always best because rain happens!

Always consult your map and trail guide before heading out on these hikes and check the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website for weather, road closings or any other pertinent information that would affect your hike. The park service also has a Hiking Safety page that gives you great information to help you be safe on the trail.

A Few Of My Favorite Smoky Mountain Hiking Trails

• Little River Trail
  6.1 miles from the trailhead to campsite # 30. The trailhead is @ Elkmont - turn L just before the campground entrance station.
  This is an easy hike on a nice wide trail that lives up to it's name and follows the river. A great trail for those just starting to hike or if you have children you are taking along. There are also loads of good photo opportunities here.
• Big Creek Trail
  5.9 miles from trailhead to Camel Gap Trail - take Waterville Rd exit off of 40 just over the NC line. See book or map for complete directions
  This is another beautiful trail that isn't difficult and has some beautiful scenery along the creek. Trout are bountiful here and can be seen often. Mouse Creek Falls is about 2.1 miles up the trail.
• Baxter Creek Trail
  6.2 miles from trailhead to Camel Gap Trail - take Waterville Rd exit off of 40 just over the NC line. See book or map for complete directions
  This trail starts close to the same place as Big Creek Trail but is more difficult climbing from 1800' to about 5800' in 6.2 miles. This is also a beautiful trail. Baxter Creek and Big Creek makes a great loop if you add in Swallow Fork Trail. I like to go up Big Creek to Swallow Fork and down Baxter Creek.
• Hazel Creek Trail
  11.8 miles from trailhead to Welch Ridge Trail - the trailhead is accessed from lakeshore Trail or a boat ride from Fontana
  This is another beautiful trail that isn't difficult and has some beautiful scenery along the creek. Due to the length of the trail & where it is located it is best done as an overnight backpack trip. It also has alot of rock-hops and stream crossings

Waterfalls

• Laurel Falls
  2.6 miles round trip. This trail is on Little River Road about 3.5 miles from the Sugarland Visitors Center. The trail is considered moderately difficult.
  This is probably the most popular waterfall trail in the park. The trail is paved so you can take strollers so it's a little easier for families with young children and it is a shorter trail.
• Juney Whank Falls
  .8 miles round trip. This trailhead is located in the Deep Creek campground near Bryson City. This one is also considered moderately difficult.
  The falls have an upper and lower section that have a combined drop of 80 feet.
• Abrams Falls
  5 miles round trip. This trailhead is in Cades Cove just past stop #10 and is well signed. Rated moderately difficult.
  This is another popular trail. Abrams Falls are only about 20 foot high but have a deep pool at the base.
• Ramsey Cascades
  8 miles round trip. The trailhead is east of Gatlinburg on 321. turn @ the GSMNP Greenbriar entrance and drive 4.7 miles. This trail is rated strenuous due to a 2000' elevation gain in 4 miles.
  Considered one of tne of the prettiest waterfalls in the park, the cascades drop 100' over rocks. The trail is a beautiful trail. Well worth the trip if you are up to a strenuous trail.
• Meigs Falls
  These falls can be seen from the road on Little River Rd but are very easy to miss They are about 13 miles from Sugarland Visitors Center and about 7 miles from Townsend.
  This one is one of the prettier waterfalls that can be viewed by car.
• Grotto Falls
  Grotto Falls is a beautiful waterfall close to Gatlinburg. It requires a hike to see it but the hike is well worth it. Take Trillium Gap Trail from Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Trillium Gap Trail wonders through a hemlock forest and actually runs behind the 25 foot high waterfall.
  The falls can be shot from several different vantage points along the trail and on either side of the falls. Check out the falls from every angle possible to see if you can get some unique shots! The trail gets pretty busy so weekdays are better for shooting if possible.  The hike is 3 miles roundtrip and considered moderate in difficulty.