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.

Discover Fun Things To Do

Waterfalls Near Gatlinburg — Laurel Falls, Grotto Falls & More

The Smoky Mountains get more rainfall than anywhere in the continental US outside the Pacific Northwest — which means waterfalls everywhere. Here are the best ones accessible from Gatlinburg.

Laurel Falls (2.6 miles round trip, easy)

The most visited waterfall in the park. An 80-foot cascade split into upper and lower sections, reached by a paved trail through hardwood forest. The pavement makes it accessible for families and older visitors, but it also means crowds — go before 9 AM or after 4 PM. The falls are beautiful year-round: surrounded by mountain laurel blooms in spring, lush green in summer, golden foliage in fall, and partially frozen in winter.