One of the most popular things to do in the Smokies is to take a hike. The national park has over 850 miles of trails which means that every visitor will be able to find a route that is just right, whether they are a beginner or expert hiker. Read on to learn more about some of our top recommendations of Smoky Mountain hikes for every skill level:
Beginner: Gatlinburg Trail
The Gatlinburg Trail is one of the ideal Smoky Mountain hikes for beginners. The route is 3.8 miles round-trip and has flat paved terrain the whole way. Look into the water as you cross the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River and admire all kinds of fish. On the land, you will see a stone chimney that was part of an old homestead. This is just one of the remnants of the thriving settlement that existed in the area before the national park was established. Visitors also love that this trail is pet-friendly. If you want to bring Fido along for a walk, be sure to keep your fur baby on a short leash (no more than 6 feet). You must clean up after them as well. Thank you for doing your part to keep the area beautiful for years to come.
Moderate: Rainbow Falls
If you consider yourself a more experienced hiker, take the Rainbow Falls trail. The route is 5.4 miles long and consists mostly of uphill climbing. The effort will pay off when you reach Rainbow Falls. It is 80 feet tall, making it the tallest single-drop waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains. It gets its name because the combination of water and sunlight creates rainbows. Stop and look closely to see if you can spot one! When you get the water, be careful along the rocks because they can be very slippery. If you’re up for an even bigger challenge, continue your hike for another 4.2 miles to the summit of Mount LeConte! At 6,593 feet, it is the Smokies’ third-highest peak.
Challenging: Gregory Bald
Another one of the more challenging Smoky Mountain hikes is Gregory Bald. The round-trip distance of the trail is 11.3 miles and takes about 6 hours to complete. The route is considered challenging because it has an elevation gain of 3,000 feet. The trees along the way are hundreds of years old. You may also spot some of the creatures that call the mountains home, such as black bears and deer. At the end of the trail is Gregory Bald, an area of flat meadowland. It is named after Russell Gregory, a settler of the Cades Cove area. While it offers beautiful mountain views at any time of year, Gregory Bald is well-known for the azaleas that bloom in early spring.
We hope you enjoyed reading about these Smoky Mountain hikes for every skill level! When planning a hike, it is important to be prepared, so check out these hiking safety tips everyone should know before hitting the trails!
