Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Forest, waterfall, and high-ridge hikes from Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove.
Use the sections and guides below to explore this subject in a clear, practical order.
Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Sugarland Mountain Trail
Plan Sugarland Mountain Trail in Great Smoky Mountains with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideAlum Cave Trail to Mount Le Conte
A sustained forest and ridge climb past Arch Rock and Alum Cave Bluffs to Mount Le Conte.
Read this guideGrapeyard Ridge Trail
Plan Grapeyard Ridge Trail in Great Smoky Mountains with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideMaddron Bald Trail
Plan Maddron Bald Trail in Great Smoky Mountains with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideOld Settlers Trail
Plan Old Settlers Trail in Great Smoky Mountains with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideBrushy Mountain Trail
Plan Brushy Mountain Trail in Great Smoky Mountains with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideKanati Fork Trail
Plan Kanati Fork Trail in Great Smoky Mountains with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideLakeshore Trail near Fontana
Plan Lakeshore Trail near Fontana in Great Smoky Mountains with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideThomas Divide Trail
Plan Thomas Divide Trail in Great Smoky Mountains with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideNoland Creek Trail
Plan Noland Creek Trail in Great Smoky Mountains with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideRoundtop Trail
Plan Roundtop Trail in Great Smoky Mountains with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideAbrams Falls Trail in the Great Smokies
A rolling forest hike to a powerful 25-foot waterfall and broad pool.
Read this guideChimney Tops Overlook Trail
A steep 3.5-mile Smokies hike to the legal overlook below Chimney Tops.
Read this guideGrotto Falls Trail in the Smokies
A shaded forest hike to the only Smokies waterfall with a maintained trail behind it.
Read this guideRainbow Falls Trail in the Smokies
A strenuous 5.6-mile Smokies climb to an 80-foot waterfall.
Read this guideRamsey Cascades Trail
An 8-mile strenuous Smokies hike to the park’s tallest waterfall.
Read this guideKuwohi Observation Tower Trail
A short steep paved climb to the highest point in the Smokies.
Read this guideLaurel Falls Trail
A paved but uneven climb through forest to an 80-foot waterfall divided by a walkway between upper and lower cascades.
Read this guidePorters Creek Trail
A creekside forest walk past historic sites, spring wildflowers, and a side path to Fern Branch Falls.
Read this guideAndrews Bald Trail
A high-elevation descent and return climb to a grassy bald with broad views across the southern Smokies.
Read this guideCharlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail
A rolling high-ridge hike on the Appalachian Trail to a rocky outcrop with long views into the central Smokies.
Read this guideGregory Bald via Gregory Ridge Trail
A long ridge ascent to an open bald known for mountain views and seasonal flame azaleas.
Read this guideSpruce Flats Falls Trail
A short, rugged forest hike to a multi-tier waterfall in the Middle Prong watershed.
Read this guideDeep Creek Three Waterfalls Loop
A compact loop linking Tom Branch Falls, Indian Creek Falls, and Juney Whank Falls through a lush creek valley.
Read this guideLittle River Trail to Huskey Branch Falls
A gentle historic roadbed follows the Little River through forest to a small cascade at Huskey Branch.
Read this guideSchoolhouse Gap Trail
A gentle historic roadbed through hardwood forest, spring wildflowers, and quiet drainages near Townsend.
Read this guideRich Mountain Loop Trail
A long Cades Cove loop climbing from open valley edges into forested Rich Mountain before descending past historic sites.
Read this guideBoogerman Trail Loop
An old-growth forest loop through Cataloochee with giant trees, creek crossings, and traces of former homesteads.
Read this guideDeep Creek to Indian Creek Falls
A family-friendly creek walk to a graceful waterfall, with optional views of nearby Tom Branch Falls.
Read this guideMount Cammerer via Low Gap Trail
A demanding climb to a historic stone fire lookout with sweeping views over the eastern Smokies.
Read this guideHen Wallow Falls Trail
A forest climb on Gabes Mountain Trail to a tall, narrow waterfall.
Read this guideLittle River Trail
A broad former road follows the Little River past forest, wildflowers, and historic remains.
Read this guideMount LeConte via The Boulevard Trail
A long Appalachian Trail and ridge route to Mount LeConte with sustained climbing and broad mountain views.
Read this guideBaskins Creek Falls Trail
A steep forest route to a two-tier waterfall in a quiet drainage.
Read this guideMeigs Creek Trail
A quieter trail climbing from The Sinks into forest and repeatedly crossing Meigs Creek.
Read this guideKephart Prong Trail
A creekside forest hike past historic Civilian Conservation Corps remains to Kephart Shelter.
Read this guideSmokemont Loop Trail
A substantial forest loop climbing above the Oconaluftee valley before descending along Bradley Fork.
Read this guideCove Hardwood Nature Trail
A short self-guiding loop through rich cove hardwood forest known for spring wildflowers.
Read this guideChestnut Top Trail
A steady ridge climb known for spring wildflowers and views through open forest.
Read this guideAce Gap Trail
A long, quieter ridge hike through dry forest with seasonal wildflowers and historic traces.
Read this guide