A highlight of any visit to Gatlinburg, is spending time inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of our greatest national treasures. Driving the scenic by-ways of the park is a popular activity, but getting out of the car and back to nature is the best way to experience the wonders of the Smokies. More than 800 miles of trail await discovery.
Here are our favorite hikes:
Grotto Falls Trail
Access trail: Trillium Gap Trail on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Driving to the Trailhead: Turn left out of The Gillette and drive up Historic Nature Trail into the National Park and onto Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail to stop #5 where there is a large parking area. Note: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a narrow, winding, one- way road that is closed in winter. Buses, RVs, and large trucks are prohibited.
Hiking Distance: 1.3 miles one way to Grotto Falls. 2.6 miles roundtrip and 2-3 hours.
Trail Conditions: the hike is generally considered moderate in difficulty. Do not climb on rocks around the waterfall.
Rainbow Falls Trail
Driving to the Trailhead: Turn left out of The Gillette and drive up Historic Nature Trail into the National Park and onto Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trial. At mile 3.4, just after the road becomes one-way, turn right into the Rainbow Falls Parking Area.
Note: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a narrow, winding, one-way road that is closed in winter. Buses, RVs, and large trucks are prohibited.
Hiking Distance: 2.7 miles one way to Rainbow Falls. 5.4 miles roundtrip.
Trail Conditions: Elevation change of 1,700 feet; trail contains switchbacks and is rocky in sections. Do not climb on rocks around the waterfall.
Alum Cave Trail
Driving to the Trailhead: Turn right out of The Gillette down to the Parkway. Turn left on the Parkway and drive into the National Park. Drive 8.6 miles from Sugarlands Visitor Center. There is a sign and two large parking areas marking the trailhead.
Hiking Distance: 2.5 miles one way to Alum Cave Bluffs. 5 miles roundtrip.
Trail Conditions: Elevation change of 1,200 feet; the trail is steep and follows the edge of the ridge in sections
Reward yourself for getting out on the park’s trails. The Hike the Smokies and Hike the Smokies–For Families programs offer you a chance to earn mileage pins and stickers!
Our favorite guidebook is Hiking Trails of the Smokies which covers all 150 official trails in the park with in-depth narratives and profile charts that show mileage, elevation change, and major stream crossings. Includes information on all backcountry campsites, shelters, regulations and permit/reservation information.
More information on hiking in the National Park can be found on the National Park Service website.