Abram Falls

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

The 5-mile roundtrip hike to Abrams Falls is relatively short and is considered to be moderate in difficulty, as attested by the popularity of the trail which attracts nearly 1000 visitors per day during peak season. Although Abrams Falls is only 20 feet high, the large volume of water rushing over the cliff more than makes up for its lack of height. In fact, Abrams Falls is the most voluminous waterfall in the park. The long, deep pool at its base is very picturesque; however, due to strong currents and an undertow, swimming here is extremely dangerous.

Directions to the Trailhead

The hike to Abrams Falls begins from a field, at stop number ten, on the Cades Cove Loop Rd. To reach the Abrams Falls trailhead, drive five miles on the Cades Cove Loop Road. After crossing Abrams Creek, turn right on a gravel road that runs through a grassy field. Park at the back of the field where there are signs, and a marvelous wooden bridge, that marks the beginning of the trail.

Alum Cove

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult

This hike is 4.6 miles round-trip or 5.1 miles on to LeConte Lodge. The round-trip to the cave bluff takes about 2 and 1/2 hours, but allow about 3 and 1/2 hours to LeConte Lodge. The Alum Cave Trail is the most popular and well-known route to Mount LeConte.

Directions to the Trailhead

From the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, drive 8.7 miles south along Newfound Gap Road to the Alum Cave Trailhead. The parking lot will be on your left. Due to the popularity of the Alum Cave Trail, there are two parking lots for this trailhead. To ensure a parking spot, you may want to get here early on nice weekends and in the summer.

Baskins Creek Falls

Hiking Difficulty: Easy

The Baskin Creek Falls trail begins with a short easy climb. At roughly a quarter of a mile into the hike, the trail levels off, and you'll have some decent views of the mountains to the west of you as well as a few glimpses of Gatlinburg if you're hiking in the winter or early spring. These views, however, will more than likely be obstructed by summer foliage.

Directions to the Trailhead

Starting from Light 8 in Gatlinburg, turn onto Historic Nature Trail / Airport Road. At 0.7 miles, veer right onto Cherokee Orchard Road. After driving another 2.2 miles, you will enter the one-way Cherokee Orchard Loop. Drive 0.9 miles on the loop before turning right onto the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The trailhead for Baskin Creek Falls Trail will be on the left after driving about 0.2 miles on this one-way loop.

Charlies Bunion

Hiking Difficulty: Difficult

Charlies Bunion offers stunning views of the mountains to the north of you, Mt. Kephart and the Jump Off to your west and Mount Guyot towards the east.

Directions to the Trailhead

From the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, drive 13 miles south on Newfound Gap Road to reach the Newfound Gap parking lot. You'll be hiking eastward on the Appalachian Trail to reach Charlies Bunion.

The Gatlinburg Trail

Hiking Difficulty: Easy

The Gatlinburg Trail is a beautiful hiking trail convenient to downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The Gatlinburg Trail is an easy hike meandering along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. The Gatlinburg Trail is the only trail that allows dogs and bicycles in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. A round trip hike on the Gatlinburg Trail covers 3.8 miles and only gains 164 feet in elevation, making it one of the easiest hikes in the Smokies. The Gatlinburg Trail is perfect for families looking for fresh air exercise, beautiful river view and convenient access.

Directions to the Trailhead

From Gatlinburg, enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and travel 1.8 miles to the Sugarlands Visitor Center on the right. The trailhead for the Gatlinburg Trail is located behind the visitor center.

Gregory Bald

Hiking Difficulty: Difficult

As stunning as the year-round views are, Gregory Bald is most famous for the spectacular flame azaleas that bloom on the summit from mid to late June. Azalea lovers from all over the world come here to visit perhaps the finest display of flame azaleas anywhere on the planet.

Directions to the Trailhead

From the Townsend "Y" intersection, go west on Laurel Creek Road towards Cades Cove. To reach Gregory Bald via the Gregory Ridge Trail, drive 7.5 miles to Cades Cove. You’ll pass the main parking lot and enter the one-way loop. At 13.2 miles from Townsend, the loop road makes a sharp left. Continue going straight at this junction onto Forge Creek Road (this also leads to Parson Branch Road). Drive for another 2.2 miles to reach the Gregory Ridge Trailhead. Just before reaching the parking lot the one-way Parson Branch Road forks off to the right, continue on the two-way Forge Creek Road for a short distance to reach the Gregory Ridge Trail parking area.

Grotto Falls

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

The most distinctive feature of Grotto Falls is that it's the only waterfall in the park that a person can actually walk behind. The 25-foot high waterfall offers a cool, shady, and moist retreat for summer hikers. This same environment also provides an ideal habitat for salamanders as well. As you walk behind the falls you can hear and feel the thunderous power of the water plunging into the pool in front of you. Watch your step here, especially in the winter - the area around the falls is always wet and slick.

Directions to the Trailhead

Starting from Light 8 in Gatlinburg, turn onto Historic Nature Trail / Airport Road. At 0.7 miles, veer right onto Cherokee Orchard Road, upon which you will enter into Great Smoky Mountain National Park. After driving another 2.2 miles, you'll enter the one-way Cherokee Orchard Loop. Drive 0.9 miles on the loop before turning right onto the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The parking lot for the trail to Grotto Falls will be on the left side of the road after driving roughly 1.6 miles on this one-way loop. The trailhead is just beyond the parking lot on the opposite side of the road. Because of the extreme popularity of this trail, there are additional parking spaces beyond the trailhead. Your best bet is to get there early during the peak visitor season.

Laurel Falls

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

Laurel Falls is an extremely popular destination within the park. Parking can be a problem during peak season. If you're looking to avoid crowds, you may want to begin your hike early in the morning, during the early evening, on a weekday, or during the off-season. Due to the extreme popularity, the Park Service realized at some point that they needed to pave the trail to Laurel Falls. You'll find a lot of families with young children on this trail. If you do plan to hike with young children, we highly suggest keeping a close eye on them at all times. The trail passes next to some very steep drop-offs, especially as you get closer to the falls.

Directions to the Trailhead

From the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, drive 3.8 miles to the top of Fighting Creek Gap. The Laurel Falls parking lot will be on your right.

Ramsey Cascades

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult

Ramsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall in the park and one of the most spectacular. Water drops 100 feet over rock outcroppings and collects in a small pool where numerous well-camouflaged salamanders can be found.

The trail to the waterfall gains over 2,000' in elevation over its 4-mile course and the 8-mile roundtrip hike is considered strenuous in difficulty. It follows rushing rivers and streams for much of its length. The last 2 miles pass through an old-growth cove hardwood forest with large tulip trees, basswoods, silverbells, and yellow birches.

Directions to the Trailhead

Drive six miles east of Gatlinburg on Highway 321 and turn at the Greenbrier entrance to the park. Follow the signs 4.7 miles to the trailhead.

Rainbow Falls

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

Rainbow Falls is the highest single-drop waterfall in the Smokies. The name given for these waterfalls is a result of the rainbow that is produced by the mist that becomes visible on sunny afternoons. During extended winter cold spells an impressive ice formation builds around the falls. You may notice a little bit of ice just to the right of the falls in the picture above.

Directions to the Trailhead

Starting from Light 8 in Gatlinburg, turn onto Historic Nature Trail / Airport Road. At 0.7 miles, veer right onto Cherokee Orchard Road, upon which you'll enter into Great Smoky Mountain National Park. After driving another 2.2 miles, you'll enter the one-way Cherokee Orchard Loop. After driving about 0.6 miles on the loop, the Rainbow Falls trailhead will be on your right.