Challenging
Trails
Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Compare distance, typical time, difficulty, and trail details.
Moderate
Alum Cave Trail
Streamside climb to Arch Rock, big views, and a towering bluff
Challenging
Gregory Ridge Trail
Steep, shaded grind to a flower studded bald with huge views.
Easy
Clingmans Dome Trail
Short, steep paved climb to 360° views from the Smokies’ rooftop
Moderate
Charlies Bunion (Appalachian Trail)
Bite-size AT ridge walk to a dramatic, cliffy rock perch
Challenging
Gregory Bald Trail
Shorter, steeper path to azalea-famous summit meadow views
Challenging
Low Gap Trail
Steep climb from Cosby to the AT; shortest route to Mount Cammerer.
Moderate
Kuwohi Trail
Short, steep paved climb to the Smokies highest 360-degree view
Challenging
Mount Cammerer Trail
Steep grind to a classic CCC fire tower with all day ridge views
Moderate
Grotto Falls Trail
Shaded forest stroll to a waterfall you can walk behind
Moderate
Abrams Falls Trail
Rolling creekside hike to the park’s most voluminous waterfall
Moderate
Rainbow Falls Trail
Steady creekside climb to an 80-foot falls with afternoon rainbows.
Moderate
Appalachian Trail: Newfound Gap to Charlie’s Bunion
High-ridge Smokies hike to a cliffy perch with border-to-border views
Challenging
Ramsey Cascades Trail
Steep, rugged climb to the park's tallest accessible waterfall
Moderate
Middle Prong Trail
Waterfall-rich railbed to Indian Flats Falls, CCC relics along the way
Challenging
Baxter Creek Trail
Relentless climb to Mt. Sterling’s fire tower through old-growth woods
Challenging
Trillium Gap Trail
Waterfall-to-summit grind with llamas, wildflowers, and Le Conte views
Challenging
Bullhead Trail
Steep, view-packed climb to Mount Le Conte with wildfire vistas
Challenging
Boulevard Trail
Long, rolling ridge to Mt. LeConte with big views and fewer crowds
Moderate
The Jump Off Trail
Airy cliff overlook off the AT with big views and fewer crowds
Challenging
Shuckstack Fire Tower Trail
Steep AT climb to a 1934 fire tower with huge 360-degree views
Easy
Deep Creek Trail
Creekside waterfalls, easy walking, and summer tubing scene
Easy
Deep Creek Waterfall Loop
Three waterfalls on a gentle loop near Bryson City
Easy
Laurel Falls Trail
Paved climb to an 80 foot, photogenic Smokies waterfall
Challenging
Chimney Tops Trail
Short, steep stair master to a big-view overlook—worth the burn.
Moderate
Andrews Bald Trail
Moderate hike to the Smokies’ highest grassy bald with big views
Moderate
Porters Creek Trail
Creekside history, lush spring blooms, and a hidden cascade payoff
Moderate
Albright Grove Loop Trail
A quiet, big-tree ramble in rare old-growth cove hardwoods.
Challenging
Forney Ridge Trail
High-elevation descent from Clingmans Dome to a big-view grassy bald
Moderate
Little River Trail
Gentle riverside walk with history, wildflowers, and easy turnarounds
Challenging
Maddron Bald Trail
Old-growth glory to a heath bald with solitude and creek drama
Challenging
Forney Creek Trail
Wild, water-rich backcountry with big climbs and many creek fords
Easy
Big Creek Trail to Mouse Creek Falls
Gentle creekside hike to a 45 ft falls and hidden swim hole
Easy
Look Rock Tower Trail
Short, paved climb to big Smokies-and-valley views from a tower
Easy
Deep Creek Three Waterfalls Loop
Three waterfalls, one easy loop—crowded in summer, lovely in winter
Moderate
Kephart Prong Trail
Creekside hike with CCC relics and log bridges to a backcountry shelter
Challenging
Road Prong Trail
Rugged creekside climb with cascades and solitude off 441
Challenging
Brushy Mountain Trail
Heath-bald summit views by quiet grind or via Grotto Falls
Challenging
Bote Mountain Trail
Relentless ridge climb to Spence Field, with a Rocky Top bonusChallenging
Cataloochee Divide Trail
Quiet ridge walk with big views and a Hemphill Bald bonus
Moderate
Hazel Creek Trail
Remote creekside ramble to Smokies history, best reached by boat
Moderate
Buckeye Trail
Short, rugged climb to a photogenic, multi-tier waterfall.
Moderate
Cucumber Gap Loop
Shady Elkmont loop with river, roots, and Smokies history.
Easy
Thunderhead Prong Quiet Walkway
Shaded creekside stroll to a steel bridge and boulder filled prongEasy
Indian Creek Trail
Two waterfalls, easy grades, big payoff in under two miles
Moderate
Baskins Creek Trail
Quieter waterfall hike with a steep finish and a big reward
Moderate
Gabes Mountain Trail
Lush forest walk to a 90-foot fan waterfall near Cosby.
Challenging
Mount Sterling Trail
Relentless climb to a 360° panorama from a swaying historic tower.
Moderate
Jakes Creek Trail
Steady Elkmont climb past ghost town ruins, creeks, and Avent Cabin.
Moderate
Twentymile Loop Trail
Quiet creek-and-forest loop with footlog crossings and cascades.
Moderate
Chestnut Top Trail
Wildflower-rich ridge walk with optional shorter turnaround
Challenging
Eagle Creek Trail
Remote, ford-filled climb from Fontana Lake to the Smokies’ crest
Moderate
Bradley Fork Trail
Gentle creekside miles to bridges, cascades, and a quiet lunch spot.
Challenging
Twentymile Trail
Creekside climb to the AT with a Shuckstack tower payoffChallenging
Noland Divide Trail
Long ridge walk with solitude and big views at Lonesome Pine
Moderate
Spruce Flats Falls Trail
Short, rooty climb to a four-tier cascade in the Tremont area
Challenging
Boogerman Trail
Old-growth giants and many creek fords in Cataloochee’s quiet loop
Challenging
Snake Den Ridge Trail
Big, steady climb from Cosby to the AT with history and solitude.
Moderate
Ferguson Cabin Trail
Historic homestead loop with ridge views above Maggie Valley
Easy
Schoolhouse Gap Trail
Wide, flower-rich stroll with easy grades and a quiet vibe
Moderate
Meigs Creek Trail
Creek-hopping to a quiet cascade from The Sinks.
Challenging
Little Cataloochee Trail
Quiet history hike to cabins, a church, and elk country
Moderate
Goldmine Loop Trail
Walk the Road to Nowhere tunnel to a quiet Fontana Lake cove
Challenging
Dry Sluice Gap Trail
Steep, scenic drop from the AT into lush Bradley Fork coves
Moderate
Grapeyard Ridge Trail
Historic creek crossings to a hidden 1920s steam engine
Moderate
Rough Fork Trail
Creekside stroll to historic homestead, with elk in Cataloochee
Moderate
Little Greenbrier Trail
Quiet ridge climb with history detours and a Laurel Falls connection
Challenging
Old Settlers Trail
Long, quiet traverse of Smokies homesteads, chimneys, and creeks
Moderate
Smokemont Loop Trail
Riverside warmup, then a stout climb to quiet Smokies views
Easy
Noland Creek Trail
Quiet creek roadbed with history, bridges, and trouty vibes.
Challenging
Fork Ridge Trail
Steep, remote descent from Clingmans Dome Road to Deep Creek
Easy
Cove Hardwood Nature Trail
Short, flower-rich loop through classic Smokies cove forest.
Easy
Cosby Nature Trail
Shady creekside loop with kid friendly bridges and quiet Cosby vibes
Easy
Little Brier Gap Trail
Easy creekside stroll to the Walker Sisters’ historic homestead.
Challenging
Lead Cove Trail
Steady climb to Bote Mountain with quiet woods and wildflowers
Moderate
Lynn Camp Prong Trail
Quiet streamside connector with rock hops, camps, and loop options
Moderate
Huskey Gap Trail
Steady climb to a historic gap with peak spring wildflowers
Moderate
Mingus Creek Trail
Shady, historic climb along Mingus Creek to quiet Deeplow Gap
Challenging
Enloe Creek Trail
Steep, remote Smokies creek gorge with bridges, cascades, and solitude
Moderate
Caldwell Fork Trail
Wet, woodsy connector with a giant poplar and Boogerman loop option
Moderate
Rich Mountain Loop Trail
Cades Cove escape: wildflowers, history, and a quiet ridge loop.
Challenging
Sunkota Ridge Trail
Quiet ridge walk above Deep Creek with waterfalls on the approaches
Challenging
Chasteen Creek Trail
Creekside walk to a photogenic cascade and a quiet backcountry.
Challenging
Sugarland Mountain Trail
Quiet ridge run from Gatlinburg to the AT with spruce fir vibes
Moderate
Lower Mount Cammerer Trail
A quiet, gentle climb with streams and a bonus Sutton Ridge view
Challenging
Lakeshore Trail
Remote Smokies traverse with history, creeks, and hard-earned miles
Challenging
Kanati Fork Trail
Relentless climb, stellar spring wildflowers, and quiet cove forest
Moderate
West Prong Trail
Forested climb to a quiet riverside camp and Bote Mountain
Easy
Noah "Bud" Ogle Nature Trail
Easy loop through a historic homestead with cabin, mill, and brook
Easy
Spruce‑Fir Nature Trail
Tiny loop, big mood: a cool, mossy slice of boreal forest.
Easy
Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail
Paved half-mile loop with riverside views and Smokies history
Easy
Metcalf Bottoms Trail
Shady, kid friendly stroll to an 1882 log schoolhouse and cemetery
Moderate
Little Bottoms Trail
Creekside connector with solitude, roots, and splashy stream hops
Easy
Oconaluftee River Trail
Flat riverside stroll where elk and wildflowers steal the show
Moderate
Flat Creek Trail
Shady creekside wander with rare velvety grass and a picnic finish
Easy
Finley Cane Trail
Shady forest stroll with creek crossings and rhododendron tunnels
Moderate
Meigs Mountain Trail
Quiet, history rich ridge walk with mellow grades and splashy fords
Moderate
Old Sugarlands Trail
Quieter Smokies walk mixing river sounds, ruins, and CCC history.
Moderate
Cove Mountain Trail
Forest climb above Laurel Falls to a closed 1935 fire tower.
Moderate
Thomas Divide Trail
Quiet Smokies ridge walk with flowers, solitude, and few big views
Easy
Juney Whank Falls Trail
Up-close footbridge views on a short, steep Deep Creek waterfall loop.
Easy
Cataract Falls Trail
Easy creekside stroll to a pretty 25 foot waterfall near Gatlinburg
Easy
Elkmont Nature Trail
Easy 0.8-mile loop with creek crossing, rhododendron, and spring blooms
Easy
Elijah Oliver Cabin Access Trail
Easy stroll to a historic dogtrot homestead in quiet Cades Cove
Easy
Fighting Creek Nature Trail
Easy loop to a historic cabin and creekside forest near Sugarlands
Easy
Cades Cove Nature Trail
Shady loop with a creek and real wildlife chances off the Loop Road
Challenging
Crooked Arm Trail
Short, steep grind above Cades Cove with a fickle little waterfall.
Easy
Gatlinburg Trail
Flat riverside stroll linking Sugarlands to town, dog and bike friendly.
Challenging
Chestnut Branch Trail
Steady creekside climb to the AT with lush forest and solitude
Moderate
Twin Creeks Trail
Quiet woods walk near Gatlinburg with creeks, history, and a fairy house
Challenging
Sweat Heifer Creek Trail
Steep, waterfall-studded connector that earns its sweaty name.
Moderate
Cooper Road Trail
Long, quiet old road between Cades Cove and Abrams Creek
Easy
Smokemont Nature Trail
Shady 0.6-mile loop by Smokemont Campground with bridges and blooms
Easy
