Directory of Hiking Trails in the Smokies by Difficulty Rating

Hiking in the Smokies can be quite challenging, and hiking any trail above your fitness level can make for a less than enjoyable day while out on the trail. Below is a list of trails based on a difficulty rating, and ranked from easiest to hardest hikes. This list is intended to help hikers find a trail that's best suited towards their abilities. By clicking on any trail name you'll find more detailed information, including trail descriptions, directions, key features, photographs, elevation profiles and maps.
Difficulty Rating Defined: a difficulty rating of less than 5 is generally considered to be an easy hike. Between 5 and 10 is moderate, and anything over 10 is considered to be strenuous. Please click here for a more detailed explanation of difficulty ratings while hiking in the Smokies.

R/T on the table heading below stands for total round trip mileage.

To get a general idea on the location of any trail, please check out our park map page.

Trails by Difficulty Level


TrailLocationTrail FeaturesRoundtrip MilesElevation GainDifficulty Rating
Spruce-Fir TrailNewfound Gap / Clingmans DomeSpruce-Fir Forest0.4250.40
Toms Branch FallsCherokee / Deep CreekWaterfalls0.6 470.69
Juney Whank FallsCherokee / Deep CreekWaterfalls0.51940.89
Ogle PlaceGatlinburg / Mt. LeConteHistory / Stream0.8900.98
Indian Creek FallsCherokee / Deep CreekWaterfalls1.91502.2
Spruce Flats FallsCades Cove / TownsendWaterfall1.44602.32
Laurel FallsElkmontWaterfalls2.33142.93
Avent CabinElkmontHistory / Quiet Forest Hike25013.01
Oconaluftee River TrailCherokee / Deep CreekHistorical / Stream3703.14
Little Brier GapElkmontWalker Sisters Place2.62853.17
Grotto FallsGatlinburg / Mt. LeConteWaterfalls2.65853.77
Chasteen Creek CascadeCherokee / Deep CreekWaterfall / Stream / Wildflowers3.63404.28
Goldmine LoopCherokee / Deep CreekHistorical / Lake Views3.16154.33
Gatlinburg TrailGatlinburg / Mt. LeConteStream / History3.92354.37
Schoolhouse GapCades Cove / TownsendQuiet Forest Hike / Wildflowers3.85134.83
Baskins Creek FallsGatlinburg / Mt. LeConteWaterfalls39534.91
Flat Creek FallsBalsam MountainWaterfalls46005.2
Andrews BaldNewfound Gap / Clingmans DomePanoramic Views3.58995.3
Porters Creek TrailGreenbrier / CosbyWaterfalls / Stream / Flowers / Historical / Old Growth Forest46995.4
Big Creek / Mouse Creek FallsBig CreekWaterfalls4.26055.41
Little River TrailElkmontStream / Wildflowers / Historical4.94125.72
Deep Creek LoopCherokee / Deep CreekWaterfalls / Wildflowers4.65795.76
Meigs Mountain TrailElkmontQuiet Forest / History4.66615.92
Kephart Prong TrailCherokee / Deep CreekStream / Historical4.29556.11
Hen Wallow FallsGreenbrier / CosbyWaterfalls4.49006.2
Chimney TopsGatlinburg / Mt. LeContePanoramic Views3.314876.27
Rough Fork TrailBalsam MountainQuiet Forest Hike5.26006.4
Abrams FallsCades Cove / TownsendWaterfalls5.26756.55
Alum CaveGatlinburg / Mt. LeConteViews / Interesting Geological Features4.411256.65
Huskey Gap (Newfound Gap Rd)Gatlinburg / Mt. LeConteQuiet Forest Hike / Wildflowers4.212706.74
Kanati Fork TrailCherokee / Deep CreekWildflowers414956.99
Cucumber Gap LoopElkmontStream / Wildflowers / Historical5.68307.26
Grapeyard Ridge Trail (Greenbrier)Greenbrier / CosbyHistorical / Injun Creek steam engine wreck5.89807.76
West Prong TrailCades Cove / TownsendQuiet Forest Hike / Stream5.413758.15
Curry Mountain TrailElkmontQuiet Forest Hike6.411648.73
Rainbow FallsGatlinburg / Mt. LeConteWaterfalls5.416858.77
Mingus Creek TrailCherokee / Deep CreekHistoric / Wildflowers / Stream5.815158.83
Sugarland Mtn Trail (lower)ElkmontQuiet Forest Hike615009
Jump Off, TheNewfound Gap / Clingmans DomePanoramic Views6.512759.05
Bullhead TrailGatlinburg / Mt. LeConteViews / Interesting Geological Features5.916079.11
Sugarland Mtn Trail (upper)Newfound Gap / Clingmans DomeSolitude / Views710909.18
Smokemont LoopCherokee / Deep CreekStream / Wildflowers / Forest6.514419.38
Boogerman LoopCataloocheeHistorical / Streams / Old Growth Forest7.410409.48
Mt. Sterling (Mt. Sterling Gap)Big CreekPanoramic Views5.620009.6
Albright GroveGreenbrier / CosbyOld Growth Forest / History / Solitude6.714759.65
Meigs Creek TrailElkmontQuiet Forest Hike713809.76
Brushy Mountain (Trillium Gap)Gatlinburg / Mt. LeConteViews / Wildflowers / Falls6.8174510.29
Noland DivideNewfound Gap / Clingmans DomeViews / Forest Diversity7.2167910.56
Middle Prong TrailCades Cove / TownsendWaterfalls / History8.3114010.58
Lumber Ridge TrailCades Cove / TownsendQuiet Forest Hike / Solitude8.1152411.15
Shuckstack Fire TowerFontana VillageViews / Wildflowers7212011.24
Cove MountainElkmontWaterfalls / Old Growth Forest7.7177611.25
Lonesome Pine OverlookCherokee / Deep CreekViews6.7230011.3
Charlies BunionNewfound Gap / Clingmans DomePanoramic Views8.1164011.38
Chestnut TopCades Cove / TownsendViews / Wildflowers8.6148611.57
Rich Mountain LoopCades Cove / TownsendViews / Wildflowers / Historical8.5173611.97
Old Settlers Trail (Maddron Bald)Greenbrier / CosbyHistorical / Tyson McCarter Barn8.8165012.1
Huskey Gap (Little River Trail)ElkmontStream / Wildflowers / Historical10108012.16
Ramsey CascadesGreenbrier / CosbyWaterfalls / Old Growth Forest8219012.38
Cataloochee DivideCataloocheeViews / Historic / Wildflowers10125012.5
Balsam High TopBalsam MountainSolitude / Quiet Forest Hike7.6253512.67
Big Fork Ridge LoopCataloocheeOld Growth Forest / Historical9.3180012.9
Gregory Bald (Parson Branch)Cades Cove / TownsendPanoramic Views / Flame Azaleas / Old Growth Forest8.8230013.4
Silers BaldNewfound Gap / Clingmans DomePanoramic Views9.3215213.6
Newton BaldCherokee / Deep CreekQuiet Forest Hike / Views10280015.6
Spence Field (via Lead Cove)Cades Cove / TownsendPanoramic Views / Mtn Laurel9.4310015.6
Spence Field (Anthony Creek)Cades Cove / TownsendPanoramic Views / Mtn Laurel10.3284215.98
Mt. LeConte (via Alum Cave)Gatlinburg / Mt. LeContePanoramic Views / Geological11276316.53
Mt. CammererGreenbrier / CosbyPanoramic Views / Historical11.1304517.19
Gregory Bald (Gregory Ridge)Cades Cove / TownsendPanoramic Views / Flame Azaleas / Old Growth Forest11.3302017.34
Brushy Mountain (Greenbrier)Greenbrier / CosbyViews11.7300017.7
Hemphill Bald LoopBalsam MountainPanoramic Views / Old Growth Forest13.7217018.04
Spence / Russell Field LoopCades Cove / TownsendPanoramic Views / Mtn Laurel13.3305019.4
Mt. Sterling (via Baxter Creek)Big CreekPanoramic Views / Old Growth Forest12.2420020.6
Mt. LeConte (via Trillium Gap)Gatlinburg / Mt. LeContePanoramic Views / Waterfalls13.9340120.7
Rocky Top / ThunderheadCades Cove / TownsendPanoramic Views / Mtn Laurel13.9366521.23
Mt. LeConte (Boulevard Trail)Newfound Gap / Clingmans DomePanoramic Views / Old Growth Forest15.6300021.6
Mt. LeConte (Rainbow Falls)Gatlinburg / Mt. LeContePanoramic Views / Waterfalls13.8399321.79
Mt. LeConte (via Bullhead)Gatlinburg / Mt. LeContePanoramic Views14.4399322.39
Benton MacKaye TrailGreat Smoky MountainsLong Distance Hikingn/an/an/a
Mountains-to-Sea TrailGreat Smoky MountainsLong Distance Hikingn/an/an/a
Appalachian TrailGreat Smoky MountainsLong Distance Hikingn/an/an/a