Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the United States, and for a good reason. The Great Smoky Mountains offer some of the most beautiful trails in the country, with views of lush forests, deep gorges, and breathtaking waterfalls. Whether you’re a beginner looking to get your feet wet or an experienced hiker wanting to experience something new, here are some of the best hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, according to Capital Vacations.
Table of Contents
Clingmans Dome
Clingmans Dome is one of the highest peaks on the Appalachian Trail and offers stunning views from its observation tower. This easy-to-moderate 6-mile roundtrip hike gains nearly 800 feet in elevation as it winds through a dense forest of spruce fir before reaching its summit. Here you’ll find a large picnic area where you can take in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains before heading back down.
Andrews Bald
This moderate 3-mile roundtrip hike takes you to Andrews Bald, one of only two grassy balds found inside the park. As you ascend this gently rolling terrain, you’ll pass through both deciduous and coniferous trees before arriving at an open meadow with exceptional views of Fontana Valley and Clingmans Dome beyond. Wildlife viewing opportunities are plentiful along this trail, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for deer and other animals as you make your way along its path.
Charlies Bunion
One of the more challenging hikes on this list, Charlies Bunion is an 8-mile roundtrip trail that follows a steep ridge line with sheer cliffs overlooking Foxfire Mountain below. Along this strenuous terrain, hikers will find gorgeous wildflowers throughout springtime months as well as stunning vistas from atop its namesake rock formations located near the end of their journey. Be sure to bring plenty of water as temperatures can reach extreme levels during the summer months.
Rainbow Falls Trail
This 5-mile loop combines several shorter trails into one rewarding journey around Mount LeConte’s eastern slope towards its Rainbow Falls destination. Along this moderately-strenuous trail, hikers will find sweeping views over Alum Cave Bluffs and several smaller cascades providing a peaceful soundtrack during important moments of rest throughout their trip. While wooden bridges may pose a challenge for those afraid of heights, they allow hikers to complete traversal without getting too close to swift streams below.
Gregory Bald Trail
Gregory Bald Trail is the longest hiking path in Cades Cove, offering some of the most breathtaking mountain views you’ll find within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Built by loggers over a century ago, this ten-miler out and back follows the same trail up to its summit while passing through expansive meadows with abundant wildlife-watching prospects. Don’t miss your chance to experience natural beauty like never before at Gregory Bald.
As you ascend the final two miles above the treeline, be prepared to witness a stunning view of Tennessee and North Carolina. It’s an ideal place to appreciate your accomplishment! With its unparalleled beauty, diverse ecology, and numerous trails for hikers of all skill levels, it is simple to see why the Great Smoky Mountains are such a legendary destination. So come explore these incomparable mountains – because it will certainly not disappoint.
