Do you consider yourself a veteran when it comes to hiking in the Smoky Mountains? You may have explored all the beginner trails and feel ready to step it up a notch and see even more of the beautiful scenery the Smokies have to offer. If this sounds like you, we’ve got the perfect trail recommendation for your next visit to the national park–a lesser known and more challenging Smoky Mountain hike to the top of a mountain peak! Here’s your guide to hiking the Brushy Mountain Trail:
Location & Directions to Brushy Mountain Trailhead
The Brushy Mountain Trail begins at the Porters Creek trailhead which is located in the Greenbrier area on the Tennessee side of the Smokies. You can get there from Gatlinburg starting at the junction of 441 and 321 (Light 3). Head east on 321 for 6 miles and that will take you into the Greenbrier area of the national park. This is an incredible area for hiking year-round! You’ve got an action-packed day ahead, but before heading out, make sure your vehicle has a Smoky Mountain parking tag!
Hiking to Brushy Mountain in the Smokies
The Brushy Mountain Trail is a very strenuous but rewarding route. It is an out-and-back trail with a roundtrip distance of 11.7 miles. It also has 3,000 feet of elevation gain! Because this is a long trail, begin your hike early. The temperatures will be milder, and you don’t have to worry about running out of daylight. The route follows the Porters Creek Trail for the first mile, which then connects to the Brushy Mountain Trail. Most of the elevation gain occurs shortly after when hikers climb 2,500 feet up the northern side of Mount LeConte, one of the highest peaks in the Smokies at 6,593 feet! The Brushy Mountain trail then meets the Trillium Gap Trail. Turn right at the junction to continue toward the summit of Brushy Mountain. You are rewarded with some stunning views at the end of the trail–gaze at the peaks of Mount Guyot, Charlie’s Bunion, and more!
Highlights of the Brushy Mountain Trail
The best time to conquer the Brushy Mountain Trail is in the late spring and summer when the beautiful Smoky Mountain wildflowers are in bloom, including mountain laurel, painted trillium, and sand myrtle! Just keep in mind that picking flowers is prohibited! They only grow once a year, and we want every visitor to view the scenery in all its glory. Additionally, hikers can see some interesting historic features along the Porters Creek Trail on the way to Brushy Mountain. Look out for the stone walls of the Elbert Cantrell farmstead. The Ownby Cemetery is close by as well, where early settlers of the Greenbrier area are buried.
After you complete the Brushy Mountain Trail and get back to the Porters Creek trailhead, stick around the area for a bit longer! Here is your guide to spending a day in the Smoky Mountain Greenbrier area!
