Best Hiking Trails in the Great Smoky Mountains from Gatlinburg

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has over 800 miles of trails — more than enough for a lifetime of hiking. But you’ve got 4-5 days. Here are the trails worth your time, organized by difficulty.

Easy: Laurel Falls (2.6 miles round trip)

The most popular trail in the park for good reason — a paved path through hardwood forest to an 80-foot waterfall. Accessible for most fitness levels including older kids. The trail is wide and well-maintained. Go early morning to avoid crowds (by 10 AM on summer weekends, the parking lot is full). The falls are beautiful in every season — frozen in winter, surrounded by wildflowers in spring.

Easy: Gatlinburg Trail (3.8 miles one way)

The only trail in the park that allows dogs and bicycles. Follows the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River from Gatlinburg to Sugarlands Visitor Center. Flat, easy, and scenic. A great warm-up hike or a walk with the family. You can shuttle one-way by having someone drop you at the visitor center.

Moderate: Grotto Falls (2.6 miles round trip)

The only waterfall in the Smokies you can walk behind. A 25-foot cascade in a grotto of mossy rocks — magical in the morning mist. The trail passes through an old-growth hemlock forest. Moderate elevation gain. Trailhead at Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (which is itself a scenic drive). One of the best short hikes in the park.

Moderate: Chimney Tops (3.6 miles round trip)

Steep and rocky but rewarding — the trail climbs 1,400 feet to a bare rock summit with 360-degree views of the Smokies. The final rocky scramble to the top is the most exposed section. Not recommended for young children or anyone with a fear of heights. This is the quintessential Smokies hike — short, intense, and unforgettable.

Strenuous: Alum Cave to Mount LeConte (11 miles round trip)

The most popular route to Mount LeConte — the third-highest peak in the park at 6,593 feet. The trail passes Alum Cave Bluffs (a massive overhanging rock face), exposed cliff edges with cable handrails, and ends at LeConte Lodge — the highest guest lodge in the Eastern US (overnight stays require reservations months in advance). You can hike to the lodge and back in a day if you start early.

Scenic Drives Instead

Not a hiker? Cades Cove Loop (11-mile one-way loop) is the most popular drive in the park — historic cabins, churches, and wildlife (bears, deer, turkeys). Goes slow on weekends (think 2-3 hours for the loop due to traffic). Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a 5.5-mile one-way road through old-growth forest with trailheads and historic buildings. Newfound Gap Road crosses the park from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, NC with stunning overlooks at Newfound Gap (5,046 feet).

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