Old Settlers Trail

Old Settlers Trail is a 15.8-mile, one-way backcountry route between the signed Greenbrier trailhead and its junction with Maddron Bald Trail. Allow about 9 to 11 hours for the named route, and start only with a return plan. The payoff is a long walk through former Smokies settlement country, where stone walls, old roadbeds, chimney remains and home clearings take the place of one big summit view. The eastern endpoint is about 1.2 miles along Maddron Bald Trail from Maddron Bald parking, so add that approach if the parking lot is your finish.

Starting at Greenbrier, the path follows the Little Pigeon River before crossing Bird Creek and turning into a succession of wooded ridges and creek hollows. Stone outcrops and a brief river glimpse through rhododendron break up the first stretch. The route then climbs over Copeland Divide among hemlock, sassafras, maple and oak. There is no long level section to balance the day; expect to climb and drop repeatedly.

The eastern half drops toward Ramsey Creek by roughly 500 feet, then climbs again. Several crossings are reported to lack bridges, and high water after heavy rain can make them unsafe. Slow down and judge the water before crossing; this is not a route to force in a storm. Ridge walking brings only limited westward views, with a sandstone outcrop and rhododendron tunnels as welcome changes from the woods.

Look for stone walls, fallen chimneys, old roadbeds, house sites and clearings scattered along the corridor. These are traces of a lived-in landscape, not a single restored village. A spur reaches the McCarter barn near the eastern end; the Parton Cemetery is a separate Greenbrier-side spur. When an old wall reaches the trail, frame the path beside it to show how the two run together.

Use the signed Old Settlers Trailhead in Greenbrier. A dedicated parking place at that exact endpoint was not confirmed, so check legal parking and road access with the park before setting a shuttle. The trail itself ends at a Maddron Bald Trail junction about 1.2 miles from the east-side parking area. This is a point-to-point hike, not a loop; arrange transport before starting. Pets are prohibited on this trail under park rules. A valid Smokies parking tag is required for any vehicle parked longer than 15 minutes.