Tamala’s guidebook - My Top Picks

Hiking

Some of my favorite HIkes

Alum Cave Trail

ocation: Newfound Gap Road Trail Length: 10.9 miles round-trip Trail Type: Out & Back Trail Difficulty: Difficult Estimated Time: Around 7 hours The Alum Cave Trail is a challenging but well-maintained trail that features a cave and incredible panoramic views. After 1.3 miles from leaving the trailhead at Newfound Gap Road, you arrive at Arch Rock. This is a unique rock formation and distinguishing landmark that you won’t want to miss. After about another mile of climbing, you’ll reach a great lookout, Inspiration Point. Shortly after is Alum Cave Bluff. This is a great photo op with amazing vista views and unique cave formations with orange clay. After Alum Cave, the LeConte Lodge is located about 5 miles from the trailhead. It’s the only formal lodging in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you choose to stay overnight, you have options to stay in a primitive cabin or the lodge. Keep in mind that you’ll have to book reservations in advance as this stay is very popular. Beyond the lodge, you’ll see Bull Head Trail which leads to Boulevard Trail. This is the trail you’ll take the remaining distance to the summit of Mt LeConte. At 6593 feet, this is the third highest peak in the Smokies. If you want some gorgeous panoramic views without the summit, hike .2 miles beyond the LeConte Lodge to reach Cliff Top. This spot gives you 360 views of the Smokies. From this point, you can see Newfound Gap, Chimney Tops, and Gatlinburg on a clear day.

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Alum Cave Trail

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ocation: Newfound Gap Road Trail Length: 10.9 miles round-trip Trail Type: Out & Back Trail Difficulty: Difficult Estimated Time: Around 7 hours The Alum Cave Trail is a challenging but well-maintained trail that features a cave and incredible panoramic views. After 1.3 miles from leaving the trailhead at Newfound Gap Road, you arrive at Arch Rock. This is a unique rock formation and distinguishing landmark that you won’t want to miss. After about another mile of climbing, you’ll reach a great lookout, Inspiration Point. Shortly after is Alum Cave Bluff. This is a great photo op with amazing vista views and unique cave formations with orange clay. After Alum Cave, the LeConte Lodge is located about 5 miles from the trailhead. It’s the only formal lodging in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you choose to stay overnight, you have options to stay in a primitive cabin or the lodge. Keep in mind that you’ll have to book reservations in advance as this stay is very popular. Beyond the lodge, you’ll see Bull Head Trail which leads to Boulevard Trail. This is the trail you’ll take the remaining distance to the summit of Mt LeConte. At 6593 feet, this is the third highest peak in the Smokies. If you want some gorgeous panoramic views without the summit, hike .2 miles beyond the LeConte Lodge to reach Cliff Top. This spot gives you 360 views of the Smokies. From this point, you can see Newfound Gap, Chimney Tops, and Gatlinburg on a clear day.

Grotto foss

Location: Roaring Fork Nature Trail Trail Length: 2.6 miles round-trip Trail Type: Out & Back Trail Difficulty: Moderate Estimated Time: 1-2 hours This family-friendly moderate hike is well-shaded and perfect for a hot sunny day! The trail begins at the marked trailhead in the parking lot for the Trillium Gap Trail. You’ll walk through a stunning old-growth forest with large hemlock trees. If you hike this in the spring, you’ll see a beautiful wildflower bloom. Along the trail, you’ll cross four streams before finally coming to a cascade where upstream Grotto Falls will come into view. As you approach the falls, you’ll begin to feel the cool mist coming off of the water. Make sure to bring your camera to get shots walking along the small walking trail behind the falls! Grotto Falls is the only falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that has a walking path behind it. You won’t want to miss this incredible waterfall hike!

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Grotto foss

Trillium Gap Trail

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Location: Roaring Fork Nature Trail Trail Length: 2.6 miles round-trip Trail Type: Out & Back Trail Difficulty: Moderate Estimated Time: 1-2 hours This family-friendly moderate hike is well-shaded and perfect for a hot sunny day! The trail begins at the marked trailhead in the parking lot for the Trillium Gap Trail. You’ll walk through a stunning old-growth forest with large hemlock trees. If you hike this in the spring, you’ll see a beautiful wildflower bloom. Along the trail, you’ll cross four streams before finally coming to a cascade where upstream Grotto Falls will come into view. As you approach the falls, you’ll begin to feel the cool mist coming off of the water. Make sure to bring your camera to get shots walking along the small walking trail behind the falls! Grotto Falls is the only falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that has a walking path behind it. You won’t want to miss this incredible waterfall hike!

Rainbow Falls Trail

Location: Roaring Fork area near Gatlinburg, Tennessee Trail Length: 5.4 miles round-trip Trail Type: Out & Back Trail Difficulty: Moderate Estimated Time: 4-5 hours This moderate hiking trail is a rewarding hike the entire way to the falls. You begin at the Rainbow Falls parking area within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail is rated a moderately difficult trail due to the rocky terrain in sections and the 1,500 feet of elevation gain. You’ll hike through a lush green forest as the trail runs alongside LeConte Creek. After one mile, reach an overlook that provides stunning views. As you continue along the trail, you’ll cross a few bridges before the first views of the falls. The trail eventually brings you to Rainbow Falls. This stunning waterfall is 80-feet tall. The falls get their name from the rainbows that can be seen in the mist on sunny afternoons. Use caution around the rocks of the falls as they are slippery and can be dangerous.

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Rainbow Falls Trail

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Location: Roaring Fork area near Gatlinburg, Tennessee Trail Length: 5.4 miles round-trip Trail Type: Out & Back Trail Difficulty: Moderate Estimated Time: 4-5 hours This moderate hiking trail is a rewarding hike the entire way to the falls. You begin at the Rainbow Falls parking area within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail is rated a moderately difficult trail due to the rocky terrain in sections and the 1,500 feet of elevation gain. You’ll hike through a lush green forest as the trail runs alongside LeConte Creek. After one mile, reach an overlook that provides stunning views. As you continue along the trail, you’ll cross a few bridges before the first views of the falls. The trail eventually brings you to Rainbow Falls. This stunning waterfall is 80-feet tall. The falls get their name from the rainbows that can be seen in the mist on sunny afternoons. Use caution around the rocks of the falls as they are slippery and can be dangerous.

Ramsey Cascades

Head out on this 8.1-mile out-and-back trail near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 40 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail. During the months from May to November, this route is closed on Monday-Thursday. Please make arrangements to visit from Friday-Sunday. This is a great hike with lots of good scenery. The trail is an out-and-back type trail with the route to Ramsey Cascades all up hill. It's a gradual climb that only gets remotely steep the last mile or so approaching the Cascades. The first 1.5 miles follow an abandoned logging route. The trail then becomes a typical Smokey Mountain hiking trail that is only wide enough for one person. The last mile or so becomes more steep and is also very rocky. Caution should be taken especially on the way back down. Once reaching the Cascades, you will want to cross over the shallow pool at the bottom to reach a rock ledge on the other side to get in position for some good pictures of the Cascades.

Ramsey Cascades

Head out on this 8.1-mile out-and-back trail near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 40 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail. During the months from May to November, this route is closed on Monday-Thursday. Please make arrangements to visit from Friday-Sunday. This is a great hike with lots of good scenery. The trail is an out-and-back type trail with the route to Ramsey Cascades all up hill. It's a gradual climb that only gets remotely steep the last mile or so approaching the Cascades. The first 1.5 miles follow an abandoned logging route. The trail then becomes a typical Smokey Mountain hiking trail that is only wide enough for one person. The last mile or so becomes more steep and is also very rocky. Caution should be taken especially on the way back down. Once reaching the Cascades, you will want to cross over the shallow pool at the bottom to reach a rock ledge on the other side to get in position for some good pictures of the Cascades.

Laurel Falls Trail

The 80′ falls is one of the most popular destinations in the park making this a heavily trafficked trail. Being a paved trail and so close to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, you’ll have to share the trail with quite a few others. The trailhead is located off of Fighting Creek Gap Road. 2.3 miles – Out and back 300′ gain Easy

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Laurel Falls Trail

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The 80′ falls is one of the most popular destinations in the park making this a heavily trafficked trail. Being a paved trail and so close to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, you’ll have to share the trail with quite a few others. The trailhead is located off of Fighting Creek Gap Road. 2.3 miles – Out and back 300′ gain Easy

Porters Creek Trail Trailhead

Check out this 7.0-mile out-and-back trail near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 36 min to complete. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.This is a nice wooded hike along Porters Creek with an old cemetery, historic farm site, and a waterfall. The drive to the trailhead is nearly as nice as the hike. Once at the trailhead you will begin up a gradual incline along a wide gravel path. The trail is in a heavily wooded area, with Porters Creek on your left. This hike provides a cool respite on even the hottest of days. At about the 0.6 mile point, there is a series of rock walls and old building foundations from an old settlement. At the 0.75 mile point, is the old cemetery. Take the time to pay your respects to these early settlers. The gravel pathway continues to the 1.0 mile point, where a short spur trail leads to the Historic Farm Site. You will find John Messer's cantilevered barn built in 1875. Past the barn is the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club Cabin, built in 1934-36. The gravel path ends here. To continue on to the waterfall, take the left trail along Porters Creek. This well marked trail continues its gradual ascent for an additional 1 mile to the base of the waterfall.

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Porters Creek Trail Trailhead

Greenbrier Road

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Check out this 7.0-mile out-and-back trail near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 36 min to complete. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.This is a nice wooded hike along Porters Creek with an old cemetery, historic farm site, and a waterfall. The drive to the trailhead is nearly as nice as the hike. Once at the trailhead you will begin up a gradual incline along a wide gravel path. The trail is in a heavily wooded area, with Porters Creek on your left. This hike provides a cool respite on even the hottest of days. At about the 0.6 mile point, there is a series of rock walls and old building foundations from an old settlement. At the 0.75 mile point, is the old cemetery. Take the time to pay your respects to these early settlers. The gravel pathway continues to the 1.0 mile point, where a short spur trail leads to the Historic Farm Site. You will find John Messer's cantilevered barn built in 1875. Past the barn is the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club Cabin, built in 1934-36. The gravel path ends here. To continue on to the waterfall, take the left trail along Porters Creek. This well marked trail continues its gradual ascent for an additional 1 mile to the base of the waterfall.

Cades Cove

Cades Cove is the most visited area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park–and for good reason. The natural beauty & history are spectacular! Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains is the most visited area of the national park–and for good reason. The natural beauty of Cades Cove is just a glimpse of everything the national park has to offer the Smokies visitor. Interesting Tennessee cabins, grist mills and other pioneer structures dot this cove and tell the history of its early inhabitants. Wildlife is abundant. More than a dozen hiking and horseback riding trails originate in Cades Cove. The Smoky Mountains, which tower all around Cades Cove, are absolutely stunning! Cades Cove is home to trout streams for the fly-fishing enthusiast and campgrounds are available for those who want to experience Cades Cove around the clock

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Cades Cove

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Cades Cove is the most visited area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park–and for good reason. The natural beauty & history are spectacular! Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains is the most visited area of the national park–and for good reason. The natural beauty of Cades Cove is just a glimpse of everything the national park has to offer the Smokies visitor. Interesting Tennessee cabins, grist mills and other pioneer structures dot this cove and tell the history of its early inhabitants. Wildlife is abundant. More than a dozen hiking and horseback riding trails originate in Cades Cove. The Smoky Mountains, which tower all around Cades Cove, are absolutely stunning! Cades Cove is home to trout streams for the fly-fishing enthusiast and campgrounds are available for those who want to experience Cades Cove around the clock