1. Alum Cave Trail

 

- Distance: 5.0 miles round trip to Alum Cave, 10.0 miles round trip to Mount LeConte

- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous

- Typical Time: 3-4 hours to Alum Cave, 6-7 hours to Mount LeConte

Directions

Google Maps Link: Alum Cave Trail

From Gatlinburg, TN:

- Take US-441 S/Newfound Gap Road for 8.7 miles to the Alum Cave Bluffs trailhead on the left.

From Pigeon Forge, TN:

- Take US-321 N/US-441 S toward Gatlinburg, then continue on US-441 S/Newfound Gap Road for 8.7 miles to the trailhead.

 

2. Chimney Tops Trail

- Distance: 3.8 miles round trip

- Difficulty: Strenuous

- Typical Time: 3-4 hours

Directions

Google Maps Link: Chimney Tops Trail

From Gatlinburg, TN:

- Take US-441 S/Newfound Gap Road for 6.7 miles to the Chimney Tops trailhead on the right.

From Pigeon Forge, TN:

- Take US-321 N/US-441 S toward Gatlinburg, then continue on US-441 S/Newfound Gap Road for 6.7 miles to the trailhead.

 

3. Laurel Falls Trail

- Distance: 2.6 miles round trip

- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

- Typical Time: 1.5-2 hours

Directions

Google Maps: Laurel Falls Trail

From Gatlinburg, TN:

- Take US-441 S/Newfound Gap Road for 3.9 miles, then turn right onto Little River Road and drive 3.8 miles to the Laurel Falls trailhead on the right.

From Pigeon Forge, TN:

- Take US-321 N/US-441 S toward Gatlinburg, then continue on US-441 S/Newfound Gap Road for 3.9 miles, turn right onto Little River Road and drive 3.8 miles to the trailhead.

 

4. Andrews Bald Trail

- Distance: 3.6 miles round trip

- Difficulty: Moderate

- Typical Time: 2-3 hours

Directions

Google Maps: Andrews Bald Trail

From Gatlinburg, TN:

- Take US-441 S/Newfound Gap Road for 13.0 miles to the Clingmans Dome Road. Turn right and drive 7.0 miles to the Clingmans Dome parking area. The trailhead is at the far end of the parking lot.

From Pigeon Forge, TN:

- Take US-321 N/US-441 S toward Gatlinburg, then continue on US-441 S/Newfound Gap Road for 13.0 miles to the Clingmans Dome Road. Turn right and drive 7.0 miles to the parking area.

 

5. Rainbow Falls Trail

- Distance: 5.4 miles round trip

- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous

- Typical Time: 3-5 hours

Directions

Google Maps Link: Rainbow Falls Trail

From Gatlinburg, TN:

- Take Airport Road/Cherokee Orchard Road for 3.4 miles to the Rainbow Falls trailhead.

From Pigeon Forge, TN:

- Take US-321 N/US-441 S toward Gatlinburg, then continue on Airport Road/Cherokee Orchard Road for 3.4 miles to the trailhead.

 

6. Abrams Falls Trail

- Distance: 5.0 miles round trip

- Difficulty: Moderate

- Typical Time: 3-4 hours

Directions

Google Maps Link: Abrams Falls Trail

From Gatlinburg, TN:

- Take Little River Road for 22.0 miles to the Townsend Wye. Continue onto Laurel Creek Road for 7.5 miles to Cades Cove Loop Road. The trailhead is about 4.9 miles on Cades Cove Loop Road.

**From Pigeon Forge, TN**:

- Take US-321 S/Wears Valley Road for 17.0 miles to Townsend, then turn right onto TN-73 E and continue for 9.8 miles to the trailhead in Cades Cove.

 

7. Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail

- Distance: 8.0 miles round trip

- Difficulty: Strenuous

- Typical Time: 5-7 hours

Directions

Google Maps Link:  Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail

From Gatlinburg, TN:

- Take US-441 S/Newfound Gap Road for 13.0 miles to the Newfound Gap parking area. The trailhead is across the road from the parking area.

From Pigeon Forge, TN:

- Take US-321 N/US-441 S toward Gatlinburg, then continue on US-441 S/Newfound Gap Road for 13.0 miles to the parking area.

 

8. Grotto Falls Trail

- Distance: 2.6 miles round trip

- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

- Typical Time: 1.5-2 hours

Directions

Google Maps Link:   Grotto Falls Trail

From Gatlinburg, TN:

- Take Airport Road/Cherokee Orchard Road for 2.0 miles to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Follow it for 3.0 miles to the Grotto Falls trailhead.

From Pigeon Forge, TN:

- Take US-321 N/US-441 S toward Gatlinburg, then continue on Airport Road/Cherokee Orchard Road for 2.0 miles to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Follow it for 3.0 miles to the trailhead.

 

9. Mt. Cammerer Trail

- Distance: 11.1 miles round trip via Low Gap Trail

- Difficulty: Strenuous

- Typical Time: 7-8 hours

Directions

Google Maps Link:   Mt. Cammerer Trail

From Gatlinburg, TN:

- Take US-321 N for 19.4 miles to Cosby, then turn right onto TN-32 S/Cosby Highway for 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Cosby Park Road and continue 2.1 miles to the Cosby Campground. The trailhead is near the campground.

From Pigeon Forge, TN:

- Take US-321 N for 24.1 miles to Cosby, then turn right onto TN-32 S/Cosby Highway for 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Cosby Park Road and continue 2.1 miles to the Cosby Campground.

 

10. Clingmans Dome Trail

- Distance: 1.0 mile round trip

- Difficulty: Moderate (short but steep)

- Typical Time: 1 hour

Directions

Google Maps Link: Clingmans Dome Trail

From Gatlinburg, TN:

- Take US-441 S/Newfound Gap Road for 13.0 miles to Clingmans Dome Road. Turn right and drive 7.0 miles to the Clingmans Dome parking area. The trailhead is at the far end of the parking lot.

From Pigeon Forge, TN:

- Take US-321 N/US-441 S toward Gatlinburg, then continue on US-441 S/Newfound Gap Road for 13.0 miles to Clingmans Dome Road. Turn right and drive 7.0 miles to the parking area.

These trails represent a variety of experiences available in the Great Smoky Mountains, from easy walks to strenuous hikes. Always check current trail conditions and weather forecasts before heading out.