You may be just starting out on your hiking journey, or you’re an experienced hiker who just wants a breather. You may also be a parent who’s looking for a fun outdoor activity to do with kids. Whatever the case may be, there are plenty of easy hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Read on to learn more about the top 10 Smoky Mountain hikes anyone can do:
Top 5 Easy Hiking Trails in the Smokies
1. Elkmont Nature Trail
The Elkmont Nature Trail is a 0.8-mile loop. It follows an old railroad spur that was used for hauling logs. Look out for 13 interpretive markers that take you through the logging history. There is also the Elkmont Ghost Town to explore. This area was a bustling resort community. It started as a result of the tourism from the Little River Railroad. The area had to be quickly abandoned when the national park was formed, so it is deemed a “ghost town.” The buildings that have been preserved include a clubhouse and many cabins. Think of all the fun times tourists may have had there!
2. Fighting Creek Nature Trail
Another one of the Smoky Mountain hikes anyone can do is the Fighting Creek Nature Trail. It is a 1.4-mile loop, and the trailhead is right behind the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Look out for the John Ownby Cabin. It was built in 1850 and was the only surviving structure of the Forks of the River Community. The cabin consists of only one room with a fireplace. The structure itself is held together by dovetail notching.
3. Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail
The Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail is a 0.5-mile loop that is ADA-accessible. Look out for the stone chimneys and crumbling rock walls that were once part of the Sugarlands community. This trail follows the Little Pigeon River. There are spots with benches where hikers can sit and admire the water. Like the land, the waters of the Smokies have a rich population of wildlife. See if you can spot some fish in the water and salamanders on the rocks nearby.
4. Cove Hardwood Nature Trail
The Cove Hardwood Nature Trail is a 0.75-mile loop located in the Chimneys Picnic Area. While it is short in distance, keep in mind that there is a little elevation because the trail leads up into a cove. The area has rich soil, which produces a lot of vegetation. The best time to do this hike is in the spring because there are lots of wildflowers.
5. Juney Wank Falls
Juney Whank Falls is a waterfall that you can see in the Deep Creek area of the North Carolina Smokies. To get there, hikers just have to take a 0.8-mile loop. Stand on a bridge to watch the water drop 90 feet. The waterfall is named after a Cherokee man who once lived on a ridge above the falls.
If you like waterfalls, take a longer hike to see Tom Branch Falls and Indian Creek Falls nearby. Tom Branch Falls is a popular place for tubing in the warmer months. Swimming is not permitted in the other waterfalls due to the strong undertow.
5 More Easy Smoky Mountain Hikes
- Spruce Flat Falls: A 1.4-mile loop that leads to a 30-foot four-tiered waterfall.
- Cades Cove Nature Trail: a 2-mile loop that has a scenic creek and lots of rich vegetation.
- Metcalf Bottoms Trail: A 1.5-mile trail that leads to the Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse
- Gatlinburg Trail: A 3.8-mile dog-friendly trail that follows the Little Pigeon River.
- Cataract Falls: one of the shortest and easiest waterfall hikes in the national park!
We hope you enjoyed learning about these Smoky Mountain hikes that anyone can do! As you prepare for your visit, discover more insider tips about GSMNP hiking!
