Little Greenbrier Trail

Overview

Little Greenbrier is a satisfyingly quiet ridge walk that trades big vistas for deep-woods atmosphere and a dose of Smokies history. The trail runs 4.3 miles one way (8.6 miles out and back) from Wear Cove Gap Road up the flank of Cove Mountain to a junction with the Laurel Falls Trail. Expect a moderate-to-moderately strenuous outing with a sustained climb in the upper half and very light crowds compared to the Laurel Falls circus.

Route Snapshot

From Wear Cove Gap Road, the first 1.9 miles are mostly gentle and rolling. Around 1.3 miles you’ll gain roughly 400 feet, then lose about 100 feet over the next 0.6 mile to Little Brier Gap. Here you’ll hit a key junction: a short side trip down Little Brier Gap Trail leads to the Walker Sisters homesite and the Little Greenbrier School—two of the park’s best-preserved cultural stops. Back on Little Greenbrier, the final 2.4 miles climb steadily about 1,500 feet to the Laurel Falls Trail junction. From that junction, turning right reaches Laurel Falls and Fighting Creek Gap; turning left heads 0.9 mile to the top of Cove Mountain near the fire tower area. Most hikers treat Little Greenbrier as an out-and-back; plan your turnaround based on energy and daylight.

What You’ll See and Feel

Scenery is classic Smokies hardwood forest with intermittent peeks into Wears Valley as you gain altitude. Footing is generally good but expect rocky and rooty stretches. In season, you’ll find wildflowers along the corridor and late-summer blueberries higher up. Geology geeks: you’re hiking on ancient layers of the Ocoee Supergroup—sediments laid down hundreds of millions of years ago and later uplifted into today’s ridge-and-valley profile.

Why Hike This One

If you want solitude near one of the park’s busiest attractions, this is your play. The trail delivers a real workout, easy access to standout history (Walker Sisters Place and Little Greenbrier School), and a quiet approach to the Laurel Falls ridge without the paved-trail crowds. Views are limited, so come for the woods, the climb, and the cultural detours.

Logistics and Tips

Parking at the Wear Cove Gap Road trailhead is extremely limited—just a tiny roadside pullout—so arrive early and never block traffic. A parking tag is required. No dogs are allowed. Bring plenty of water and snacks; the final 2.4 miles are a steady grind. If the pullout is full, consider starting from Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and using the Little Brier Gap approach to reach the school and Walker Sisters homesite for a lower-effort history walk.

Best Time to Hike

Weekday mornings offer the best shot at parking and true solitude. Late summer is great for blueberries along the ridge; spring brings wildflowers; fall color can be excellent—especially if you extend toward Laurel Falls. If you do add Laurel Falls, start early to reach the falls before crowds build and expect congestion near the waterfall regardless of your approach.