Guides
Wildflowers and Black Bears
As a ranger in the Smokies, Chestnut Top was one of my favorite trails to introduce visitors the vast diversity of life found in these mountains. It is a great hike year-round, but it truly shines in April, during the peak of wildflowers. The first mile or so will take you along rich soils that give rise to a spectacular array of wildflower species....
This is a short nature trail type of hike to Little Greenbrier School in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This is a short nature trail type of hike to Little Greenbrier School. We learned once we got to our destination that you can also drive right to the school, but this is a nice hike through the woods. The end destination is a neat old log cabin school. At the start of the hike there is a small hill that you go up and down, so when kids used to...
Learn more about Cades Cove's natural and cultural history and the Great Smoky Mountains at www.NaturePods.com
Rich Mountain Loop Trail is a great way to enjoy Cades Cove without the crowds. The trail starts at the begining of the Loop Road, skirts the edge of some fields before reaching the John Oliver Cabin. It then climbs toward the crest of Rich Mountain. Its a good place to see deer and the ocassional black bear. Join NaturePods as you explore the cultural...
This road through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park runs through a lush valley, see wildlife & historic buildings
Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, and sightings of black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animals are...
Nice easy trail to a small waterfall. Along the way there are a few nice views of the nearby hills and rock formations
Laurel Falls is one of the most popular destinations in the park and parking at the trailhead is limited. The area is especially busy on weekends year-round and on weekdays during summer. Laurel Branch and the 80-foot high Laurel Falls are named for mountain laurel, an evergreen shrub which blooms along the trail and near the falls in May. The trail...
Drive across the mountains in the parks most-traveled road.
In southern Appalachian vernacular, a gap is a low point in a mountain ridge. New Englanders call such places “notches” while westerners refer to them as mountain “passes.” At an elevation of 5,046 feet, Newfound Gap is the lowest drivable pass through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The old road over the Smoky Mountains crossed...
Combined hiking and horseback riding trail leading to Mt. LeConte
Access to the trailhead is along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This is a one-way loop road. Large vehicles (motor homes) and trailers are prohibited. Trillium Gap trail is ok, but rocky & lots of tree roots in the trail. Grotto Falls is easier and more scenic. It's all uphill to Grotto Falls, but worth the effort. The hike up to Grotto...
Hike to the top of Mt. Leconte via the Alum Cave Trail inside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
The Alum Cave Trail is the shortest and steepest of the five trails leading to the Le Conte massif, which contains four separate peaks in all, the highest of which has an elevation of 6,593 feet. Due to its short length and beautiful scenery (it is often considered Le Conte's most scenic route) it is the most common footpath for hikers seeking to reach...
Short moderate hike to the best viewpoint in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi. Only Mt. Mitchell (6,684 feet) and Mt. Craig (6,647), both located in Mt. Mitchell State Park in western North Carolina, rise higher. The observation tower on the...
Trips
An early morning hike to the Chimney Tops in the Smoky Mountains. The early section is very pretty and follows a scenic stream with several creek crossings. Then comes a harsh steep section that probably stops the casual tourist. Things finally level off and lead you to the peak and some wonderful views.We were in a rush to return to our hotel for check-out time so couldn't fully explore the rocky peak. ...
A beautiful hike to a very nice waterfall. You can walk behind the falls without getting wet.
Rainbow Falls Trail - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States
Hiking | 4.5 miles (31 miles away)
Hiking | 4.5 miles (31 miles away)
Very pretty vegetation and cascades all the way up to the falls. The trail follows the river for the first part then goes up to the mountain. Note: my iphone's battery almost died half the way back so the path shows a straight line; just ignore this part.
This was a day hike to Gregory Bald from Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We parked on Forge Creek Road at Parsons Branch Road. (Parsons Branch Road is closed in the winter.) Our hike began with a walk up Parsons Branch Road to Gregory Bald Trail, then to the bald. The return trip was via Gregory Ridge Trail, which goes back directly to the parking area.
Alum Cave Trail, Mt. LeConte - GSMNP
Fort Harry, Tennessee, United States
Hiking | 10.1 miles (35 miles away)
Hiking | 10.1 miles (35 miles away)
My friend Brad joined me on this day hike to Mt. LeConte Lodge. (This was not a South Beyond 6000 summit hike.)
Ken Voorhis, the executive director of Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Treemont, led 18 members of the Margaret Stevenson Wednesday Hikers on a hike to Quilliams Cave and Courthouse Rock. It was a very nice hike. It was too late in the season for most of the trillium but we did see a couple of patches of Vasey's Trillium. The mountain laurel is just beginning to bloom.
Mount Leconte via Alums Cave / Bluff One way GPX data
Gatlinburg Area, Tennessee, United States
Hiking | 5.5 miles (35 miles away)
Hiking | 5.5 miles (35 miles away)
This was our third ascent up to Mount Leconte, and this was our second time doing it via Alums Cave. My brother was hiking this with a broken foot to show how easy it can be if you have the right mind set. You gain nearly 2700 feet, 3300 if you look at different profile types considering all ups even after a down. It's a strenuous hike, but highly recommended for the views alone....
Several members of Margaret Stevenson's Wednesday Hikers choose Middle Prong for a Winter hike in the snow. About 8 inches of snow was on the ground. The temperature was in the low to mid thirties and the wind was calm. It was a nice hike. The scenery was beautiful. Lots of snow on the ground and in the trees. Also lots of icicles. The snow on the rocks in the creek made...
Meade's Quarry Trail (Maintained by Ijams Nature Center)
Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Hiking | 1.9 miles (3.1 miles away)
Hiking | 1.9 miles (3.1 miles away)
This a nice meandering trail which winds around an abandoned stone quarry. The quarry cut marble blocks from the 1880s to the 1920s, and then later reopened to be a limestone quarry. The quarry has filled with water and is now an absolutely gorgeous lake. The trail is maintained by Ijams Nature Center, which is just across the street from the trailhead. It can be surprising to find...
