The Great Smoky Mountains has over 850 miles of trails that reward you with panoramic vistas, old-growth forests, wildflowers, meadows, streams, and more. In this diversified National Park, there is truly something for everyone. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a novice, the smokies provide paths for everyone. Trails vary in length and complexity, so hikers of all abilities may find something to admire.
8 Spectacular Hiking Tracks In The Great Smokey Mountains
Many alternatives will appear in your search when choosing which hiking trail to follow. However, it isn’t easy to discern which one stands out as the best when it comes to the greatest. Amazing views, mountain luxury, and a plethora of natural splendor; what if you could have all of that and more?
There are many treks and paths to select, but these eight are our top favorites.
GROTTO FALLS:
When it comes to hiking trails, the first thing that comes to mind is safety while traveling with children and family. Grotto Falls is perfect for trekking with kids and family because of the broad paths. This waterfall is the only one in the Smoky Mountains where you can walk right behind it. This 25-foot-high Grotto Fall offers a stunning view and the ideal setting for a summer’s holiday. The 2.6-mile journey to the waterfalls qualifies it as a moderately tough hike. The waterfall trek is a short drive from the mountain town of Pigeon Forge and the gateway city to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park, Gatlinburg. Either can be a good place to stay, and you can book rooms at one of the hotels in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg. They’re almost the same distance from the Grotto Falls.
RAMSEY CASCADES:
The Ramsey Cascades trail starts on an ancient gravel road and goes to some of the Great Smoky Mountains’ best old-growth forests. This trek passes through some of the park’s tallest and oldest trees, including eastern hemlocks, silver bells, and yellow birch. You will reach Ramsey Cascades after walking 4 kilometers from the Trailhead. The park’s tallest waterfall, at a hundred feet, and you will find many beautiful picnic places at the water’s edge. This incredible excursion will teach you about the beauty and grandeur of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Clingman’s Dome Trail:
The Clingman’s Dome Trail is a steep half-mile trek, ideal for an early morning expedition. At 6,643 feet, this is the highest peak in the Great Smokey Mountain Range, and this trail is one of the more famous ones in the National Park. It offers a 360-degree perspective of the Smoky Mountains. At the top, there is a viewing tower that gives visitors a birds-eye view of the entire mountain range. Due to its high rise, this climb isn’t suitable for elderly folks, and no pets or bikes are permitted on this path.
ANDREWS BALD:
Clingmans Dome is the starting point for the Forney Ridge Trail. The trail’s initial segment passes through a forest with wildflowers blossoming along the way. Continue on the Forney Ridge Trail, and you’ll reach the edge of the green bald in just 1.7 kilometers. Andrews Bald, a National Park Service-managed open grassland, has grown into one of the park’s two balds. It offers panoramic views, with views of the North Carolina Smokies and Fontana Lake on clear days.
CHARLIES BUNION:
Charlies Bunion and the Jump Off are usually at the top of the list for any Smoky Mountain explorer. When visited separately, these two ridge-line peaks provide an extraordinary experience. They provide one of the most authentic Smoky Mountain experiences available when combined. As you climb a steep and prickly trail for the first five kilometers, the canopy of trees opens up to provide beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountainscape. At 2.7 kilometers, turn left onto the Boulevard Trail, which will take you to Mount LeConte if you choose to go that far. However, you’ll hike a short distance here during this trek before turning onto the Jump Off junction. It offers breathtaking views of Mount Guyot and Charlies Bunion.
Thunderhead or rocky top:
The trek up to Rocky Top and Thunderhead Mountain is difficult, with more than 3,600 feet of total elevation gain. Hikers should not attempt it on a whim. For the most part, the excursion will last all day and necessitate getting up early in the morning to return before dark. If you’re up for the challenge, you’ll be rewarded with amazing vistas of the North Carolina side of the Smokies and the opportunity to meet some thru-hikers.
Porters Creek:
Porters Creek Trail is a fun year-round trek. Its moderate elevation and mild grades make it especially desirable in the spring when the higher elevation trails are still susceptible to ice and snow. This pleasant, tranquil walk includes some historical monuments and magnificent wildflowers, and flowing rivers. Hikers can walk along the banks of the gurgling Porters Creek for a few kilometers, passing through carpets of trillium. Until they approach the early twentieth-century stone walls of the Elbert Cantrell homestead and the tombstones of Own by Cemetery. The John Messner farm site and a cabin built by the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club in the mid-1930s are two more significant sites along the trail.
Cades Cove:
The Cades Cove experience includes vast carpets of spring wildflowers, antique Appalachian cottages, and lovely valley views. However, that sensation is frequently accompanied by a painfully slow crawl of sedans and minivans packed tightly together on the main loop of the road leading to it. Get out and stretch your legs on Rich Mountain Loop if you want to visit Cades Cove sans the crowds. You can get a close-up look at the history and beauty of the Cove and observe some of the park’s most unique wildflower displays.
Conclusion:
Traveling is the most effective way to unwind your mind, body, and spirit. Especially if hiking is planned as part of the trip, it becomes much more enjoyable since you have more time to interact with nature and discover it at your pace. From waterfall walkthroughs to mountain peaks and magnificent views, hiking allows you to see some breathtaking sights. It reminds you that the finish of your adventure will always be wonderful after all your hard effort.