ABRAMS FALLS HIKING TRAIL:
Five miles round trip. An easy to moderate, relatively flat trail leading to the 20 foot high Abrams Falls. Offers the park's largest volume of water and the most photogenic waterfall and hike. Trail begins at the Abrams Falls parking lot at the west end of Cades Cove Loop Rd. Elevation gain is 340 feet. View pictures of: Abrams Falls Trail
ALUM CAVE BLUFFS HIKING TRAIL:
Eleven miles round trip. Starts off easy but becomes difficult. The initial one and a half mile trail guides you through Arch Rock's, a natural erosion-created tunnel. Inspiration Point offers a spectacular view of the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River's upper basin. The bluff resulted from Confederate mining of saltpeter during the Civil War and was also the site of a 19th century alum mine. This trail continues to Mt. LeConte, and its beautiful viewpoints. Roundtrip distance from the parking to LeConte is 10 miles.The last half of the trail is steep and, at times, hikers must use the trailside cables to traverse the cliffs. Trail begins at the Alum Cave Bluffs parking area at Newfound Gap Rd. between Newfound Gap and Chimney Tops. Elevation gain is 2,800 feet.
ANDREWS BALD HIKING TRAIL:
About three and three quarters miles roundtrip. An easy hike up to the open, un-forested bald. Excellent views open to the south and in spring the azalea explode with color. This trail head is not accessible by car from December - April.
THE APPALACHIAN HIKING TRAIL:
Two thousand one hundred miles. The entire trip takes four to six months, crossing 14 states, eight national forests, two national parks and 15 major rivers. Elevations range from 6,643 feet at Clingmans Dome in the Smokies to near sea level at the Hudson River in New York. The segment within the park follows the Smokies ridges for 68 miles, nearly the length of the entire park. Access the trail at Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome, the end of Highway 321 just north of Big Creek Campground and from Fontana Dam. The most popular section of the trail is from Newfound Gap to Charlies Bunion, passing through a spruce-fir forest with spectacular vistas. The eight miles round trip has an elevation gain of 980 feet.
BOULEVARD HIKING HIKING TRAIL:
Sixteen miles round trip. Easiest of the five trails to Mount LeConte's summit. However, some people consider it strenuous. Take the Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap to Boulevard Trail. Elevation gain is 1,545 feet.
BULLHEAD HIKING HIKING TRAIL:
Fourteen miles round trip. One of the five trails to Mount LeConte's summit. No water supply along trail, we recommend taking a canteen. Trail begins at Bullhead parking area on Cherokee Orchard Rd. Elevation gain is 3,425 feet.
CHARLIES BUNION HIKING TRAIL:
Eight miles roundtrip. A strenuous hike following the Appalachian Trail. Hike down rocky crags along the state line ridge. Features excellent views and photogenic scenes.
CHIMNEY TOPS TRAIL:
Four miles round trip. Moderate to strenuous. Self-guided wandering through virgin forest to the Chimney Tops pinnacles. It is a steep climb to two rock spires 4,755 feet in elevation. From the top they provide a spectacular 360-degree view. Trail starts at the Chimney Tops trailhead, located on Newfound Gap Rd. Elevation gain is 1,335 feet. View pictures of: Chimney Tops Trail
GROTTO FALLS TRAIL:
Two and a half miles roundtrip. Easy trail meandering through a hemlock-dominated forest and crosses three small streams. Grotto Falls is distinctive as the only waterfall in the park one can walk behind. Offers a cool, shady, moist retreat for summer hikers and visitors. Located at pull off number 5 on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
HEN WALLOW FALLS HIKING TRAIL:
Four and a half miles round trip. Moderate trail that makes a great day hike. The main trail leads to the top of the falls. A steep, narrow side trail leads to the bottom. This 45-foot fall receives less visitation than many other area falls. Passes through a hemlock, poplar and rhododendron forest to the falls. Hen Wallow Creek, only two feet wide at the top of the falls, fans out to a width of twenty feet at the base. Trail begins before the picnic area on the road to Cosby Campground. Elevation gain is 520 feet.
INDIAN CREEK FALLS HIKING TRAIL:
One and a half miles round trip. A flat trail with an easy walk. Wander through pines, oaks, rhododendron and hemlock, with wildflowers along the way, to the 60 foot drop. Along the route is Toms Branch Falls, another scenic fall. Trail begins at the end of Deep Creek Rd. just past the Deep Creek Campground. Elevation gain is 100 feet.
LAUREL FALLS HIKING TRAIL:
Two and a half miles round trip. The easiest and most popular waterfall trail in the Tennessee side of the park. Paved, relatively flat trail passes through a pine and oak forest and a series of cascades leading up to the Laurel Falls 60 foot high drop. Trail begins at the Laurel Falls parking area on Little River Rd. Elevation gain is 200 feet.
RAINBOW FALLS HIKING TRAIL:
Five and a half miles round trip. Moderate hike to Rainbow Falls that cascades down 75 foot, gently misting the rocks and plants below. Crosses LeConte Creek and offers spectacular views at mile five. Wander through shady, cove hardwood forests and mountain wildflower. Great trail for the mushroom enthusiast. One of five trails that leads to Mount LeConte's summit. Trail begins at the Rainbow Falls trailhead on Cherokee Orchard Rd. Elevation gain is 3,820 feet.
RAMSEY CASCADES HIKING TRAIL:
Eight miles round trip. A Strenuous hike leading to the park's highest waterfall. Pass through an old-growth forest before reaching the 80 foot, highest single plunging water in the park. Do NOT attempt to climb to the top of the cascades. Several visitors have fallen to their death. From Greenbrier, follow the signs to the Ramsey Cascades trailhead. Elevation gain is 2,375 feet.
RICH MOUNTAIN HIKING TRAIL:
About six miles round trip. Pas through a second growth hardwood forest of black locust, tulip poplar and oak trees nearing maturity, punctuated with plenty of white pine. The trail climbs steadily, gaining about 1,500 feet in a little more than two miles. Elevation gain is 1,820 feet. View pictures of: Rich Mountain Trail
SUGARLANDS VALLEY NATURE HIKING TRAIL:
Three thousand foot loop. A paved trail able to accommodate visitors with disabilities and in wheelchair's. The level trail leads to distinct forest life zones, a river and the remains of pre-park dwellings. Special communications media is available at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. This trail is a favorite with visitors with mobility and sensory impairments as well as older visitors and families with strollers. Trailhead is located off Newfound Gap Rd., one fourth of a mile south of the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Elevation gain is feet.
TRILLIUM GAP HIKING TRAIL:
Fourteen and a half miles roundtrip. One of five trail leading to Mount LeConte's summit. Strenuous hike up to Grotto Falls. Highlights include Roaring Fork Creek and underground streams. Elevation gain 3,300 feet.
