Tennessee and North Carolina · 8 trails · picked by Nova Bound
Photo: Thomson200, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Layer after layer of blue ridges, wrapped in the soft haze that gives the Smokies their name, stretch across the Tennessee and North Carolina line. Underneath is one of the richest forests in North America, with waterfalls around nearly every bend and black bears in the coves. It's the most visited national park in the country, so start early and try a weekday if you can. Three days lets you hike a high peak, a waterfall and an evening drive through Cades Cove.
TRAILS
1 OF 8
Alum Cave Trail to Mount Le Conte
Difficulty
Hard
Length
10 mi
Elevation gain
2,800 ft
Newfound Gap Road · Alum Cave trailhead — The most scenic route up one of the tallest peaks in the East. You follow a rushing creek, climb stone steps through Arch Rock, and pass under Alum Cave Bluffs, a huge overhanging cliff, before narrow ledges with cable handholds lead to the summit. Rustic LeConte Lodge sits near the top. Alum Cave Bluffs alone makes a great 4.6-mile round trip.
⚠︎ Parking fills very early. In cold weather, expect ice on the ledges and falling icicles at the bluffs; bring traction.
Photo: Scott Basford, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
2 OF 8
Kuwohi
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
1 mi
Elevation gain
330 ft
Kuwohi Road · Kuwohi parking area — A steep, paved half-mile walk to the highest point in the park, 6,643 feet, topped by a spiral concrete observation tower. On a clear day the view runs for miles in every direction over the ridges. Formerly called Clingmans Dome, the peak is again known by its Cherokee name. It's often 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the valleys below, so bring a jacket.
⚠︎ Kuwohi Road is open April 1 to November 30, weather permitting.
Photo: Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
3 OF 8
Chimney Tops
Difficulty
Hard
Length
3.5 mi
Elevation gain
1,400 ft
Newfound Gap Road · Chimney Tops trailhead — Short but steep. The trail crosses mountain streams on footbridges, then climbs hard on stone stairs to an observation point facing the twin rocky peaks of the Chimney Tops. Signs of the 2016 wildfire, and the forest regrowing after it, are all around. Take your time on the stairs; there is barely a flat step in the second half.
⚠︎ The final stretch to the summit has been closed since the 2016 fire. The trail ends at the viewing area.
Photo: ChrisWx, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
4 OF 8
Charlies Bunion
Difficulty
Hard
Length
8 mi
Elevation gain
1,600 ft
Newfound Gap · Newfound Gap Overlook — Walk the Appalachian Trail along the crest of the Smokies through cool spruce-fir forest to a bare rock outcrop that juts out over a steep valley. The views from the top take in sharp ridges and deep valleys. The trail rolls up and down the whole way, so save energy for the return. The rocks drop off sharply, so keep kids close.
Photo: Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg, TN, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
5 OF 8
Rainbow Falls
Difficulty
Hard
Length
5.6 mi
Elevation gain
1,500 ft
Roaring Fork · Rainbow Falls trailhead — A steady, rocky climb along LeConte Creek to an 80-foot waterfall that throws a misty rainbow on sunny afternoons. It's at its best after a good rain. The rocks near the falls are slick, so admire it from the trail. Start early to find parking at the trailhead.
Photo: John Manard, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
6 OF 8
Ramsey Cascades
Difficulty
Strenuous
Length
8 mi
Elevation gain
2,200 ft
Greenbrier · Ramsey Cascades trailhead — The trail climbs through some of the biggest old-growth trees in the park, crossing streams on footlog bridges, to the tallest waterfall in the Smokies at 105 feet. The final stretch is rough, with rocks and roots underfoot. Don't climb on the falls; the rock is very slippery and people have died there. Pack a lunch for the boulders at the base.
Photo: Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg, TN, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
7 OF 8
Abrams Falls
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
5 mi
Elevation gain
700 ft
Cades Cove · Abrams Falls trailhead — A rolling trail follows Abrams Creek through pine and hemlock to a short but powerful waterfall that pours a huge volume of water into a deep green pool. It's the most popular hike in Cades Cove. Swimming here is dangerous because of strong currents. Pair it with an early drive around the loop to spot deer and bears.
⚠︎ The trailhead is on the slow, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road. The loop has been closed to cars on Wednesdays from May to September, so check nps.gov/grsm.
Photo: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
8 OF 8
Andrews Bald
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
3.6 mi
Elevation gain
600 ft
Kuwohi Road · Forney Ridge trailhead — Drop through a dark spruce-fir forest to a grassy mountain bald, open and sunny, with views over the North Carolina ridges. Flame azaleas and rhododendron bloom here in June. It's a great picnic spot and quieter than Kuwohi. The climb is on the way back, so save some energy.
⚠︎ Kuwohi Road is open April 1 to November 30, weather permitting.
Photo: Scott Basford, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Plan your Great Smoky Mountains trip
The Nova Bound app builds the whole trip around these trails: where to stay, where to charge, and what to see each day. Coming soon to the App Store.
Distances are round trip unless noted, from NPS.gov and rounded. Trails, permits and road openings change; always check nps.gov before you go. Trail write-ups by Nova Bound.