The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has miles of trails, and all of them have unique names. You may be wondering where they came from. Let us tell you about a few of the interesting origins. Here is a list of 4 Smoky Mountain hiking trails and how they got their names.
1. Abrams Falls Trail
The Cherokee Indians were among the first people to inhabit the Smoky Mountain area. They called their home “Shaconage” which translates to “place of blue smoke.” The people broke off into tribes that each had their own leader. The chiefs were well respected because they conducted important business. The National Park Service works hard to preserve the legacy of the Cherokee people. The Abrams Falls Trail is a 5-mile roundtrip route in Cades Cove named after the chief of the Chilhowee tribe. His name was Oskuah, but he later adopted the name Abraham.
Bonus Fact: The Cherokee people named Abrams Creek “Tsiya’hi” which means “the otter place.” You can still see these cute creatures playing in the water today.
2. Gregory Bald
Another hiking trail in the Smokies that is named after a person is the Gregory Bald Trail. The 11.3-mile roundtrip trail is named after a settler named Russell Gregory who lived from 1795 to 1864. He was a farmer who grazed cattle on the mountain summit in the warm months. He built himself a small stone house. While you can’t see the structure today, it is still fun to imagine what it must be like to wake up and see the amazing views right outside your door.
Bonus Fact: The Cherokee people called Gregory Bald “Tsitu’yi” which means Rabbit Place. Today, you may be able to spot one running through the long grass.
3. Rainbow Falls
While some Smoky Mountain hiking trails are named after people, others are named after the scenery. One of these trails is Rainbow Falls. The 5.6-mile roundtrip trail leads to the namesake, which is the tallest single-drop waterfall in the Smoky Mountains at 80 feet high. Rainbow Falls is named because the combination of mist and sun along the water creates a rainbow. You can see this happen best on sunny days. Keep in mind that this trail is popular, so it can get crowded. Get to the trailhead early to beat some of the crowds.
4. Alum Cave Trail
The Alum Cave Trail is a 5-mile roundtrip trail that is named after a tall rock overhang that consists of some of the driest minerals in the world. While you can see it at the end of the trail, the route has other cool features along the way. The first one you’ll see is Arch Rock, located a little more than 1 mile from the trailhead. It is a rock overhang that was formed from extensive freezing, thawing, and erosion. After you admire it, go up the steps inside to conquer the rest of the trail.
More Places to Hike in the Smokies
Now you know how some of the best hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains got their names. Want to learn even more about GSMNP trails? Here is a list of underrated Smoky Mountain trails.
