One of the most popular destinations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the Gatlinburg Trail, a scenic hike that travels for 1.9 miles from the outskirts of Gatlinburg TN to the Sugarlands Visitor Center within the National Park! The trail is relatively flat, making it an easy trek for hikers of all skill levels, so the whole family can enjoy this beautiful path through the forest! Here are the top 4 reasons why you’ll love hiking along the Gatlinburg Trail:
1. Convenient Access to the Sugarlands Visitor Center
The Gatlinburg Trail offers convenient access directly to the Sugarlands Visitor Center so that you can actually walk from downtown Gatlinburg into the National Park! You’ll find the Gatlinburg entrance to the trail right along the southern end of River Road, making it easily accessible from all of the hotels in the downtown area!
You’ll not only have the chance to enjoy some gorgeous scenery and exercise, but you can also avoid the parking tag fees within the park itself! The Sugarlands Visitor Center is open all year long, so head on over to check out the natural history exhibits, bookstore, shop, and more!
2. Spectacular Scenery Along the Trail
Another one of the top reasons why you’ll love hiking the Gatlinburg Trail is that it offers spectacular scenery! The trail runs through the forest along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River and provides lovely views of the river, which is crossed at one point by a pedestrian footbridge.
The trail also provides a bit of history, as the foundations and chimneys of several old homesites are visible along the route. Be sure to bring your camera along to capture some photos to impress your family and friends back home!
3. Pets and Bicycles are Permitted
One of the things that makes the Gatlinburg Trail unique is that it is one of only two trails within Great Smoky Mountains National Park that allows pets and bicycles (the other one being the Oconaluftee River Trail)! If you are staying in pet-friendly lodging in Gatlinburg, this is an excellent opportunity to get a workout with your canine companion! Just keep in mind that pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times, and owners need to clean up after their pets!
4. Easy Hike for All Skill Levels
Since the Gatlinburg Trail is relatively flat, it is an easy hike for all skill levels! The short distance is also perfect for families, making it a fun opportunity to introduce hiking to the kids! Of course, you don’t have to travel the entire 1.9-mile distance to the Sugarlands Visitor Center and can simply turn around whenever you want! Since the trail is popular with joggers, bicyclists, and other hikers, just be mindful of your surroundings as you explore all the sights that this wonderful trail has to offer!
Now you can see why the Gatlinburg Trail is such a popular destination at Great Smoky Mountains National Park! If you want to explore some of the less-traveled hikes in the park, be sure to check out these underrated hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains!
