Guides
Full Race Description for the Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race.
Coming in at just under 10 miles the Mullins Cove loop is the bulk of the Rock/Creek River Gorge 10.2 mile trail race which occurs the last Saturday in March. This incredibly diverse trail lies within the 24,686 acre Prentice Cooper Wilderness Management Area. This entire loop is part of the Cumberland Trail. A significant length of this trail hangs...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
0.7 mile trail near Chapel Hill, Tennessee
This is the shortest trail at Henry Horton. There are some really nice views of the Duck River on this trail -- definitely worth seeing. Also, there are many old artifacts of the Mill still in this area that are visible in the water. Worth checking out!! If you're interested in adding on mileage to this trail, the River Trail continues on 1.5 miles...
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.
Hike down to Peter and Buggytop Caves
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.
My friend Brad joined me on this day hike to Mt. LeConte Lodge. (This was not a South Beyond 6000 summit hike.)
Rainbow Falls Trail - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States
Hiking | 4.5 miles
Hiking | 4.5 miles
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.
Stone Door - Big Creek Gulf Trail - Laurel Falls Trail (South Cumberland State Park)
Altamont, Tennessee, United States
Hiking | 8.1 miles
Hiking | 8.1 miles
Stone Door TrailDescribed as an easy trail that leads from the parking lot/ranger station to the overlooks, and then ultimately to the top of the Stone Door - this trail was just that. Partially paved and partially dirt, this was an easy first mile into the area. The route only reflects .6 of the mile because I almost always forget to turn my Garmin on!Big Creek Gulf TrailDespite it being described as...
Mount Leconte via Alums Cave / Bluff One way GPX data
Gatlinburg Area, Tennessee, United States
Hiking | 5.5 miles
Hiking | 5.5 miles
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....
