Directory of Smoky Mountain Trails by Trail Feature

Each of the Smoky Mountain trails listed below have been grouped by the predominate feature for each trail, based on the following criteria: trails with scenic views, waterfalls, trails along streams, and various/other features. An additional table at the bottom of the page lists trails that are known for spectacular wildflower displays. Please note that although there may be flowers present within the park throughout most of the year, individual varieties are only in bloom for a couple weeks at a time. Bloom times will vary according to plant variety, weather and elevation. You can check with the national park to inquire about current conditions by calling (865) 436-1200.
By clicking on a trail name you'll find more in-depth information, including trail descriptions, key features, directions to trailheads, pictures, 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 on difficulty ratings for each of the Smoky Mountain trails listed below.

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

To get a general idea on the location for each of the hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains, please visit our park map page.

Trails with Scenic Views


TrailLocationTrail FeaturesRoundtrip MilesElevation GainDifficulty Rating
Alum CaveGatlinburg / Mt. LeConteViews / Interesting Geological Features4.411256.65
Andrews BaldNewfound Gap / Clingmans DomePanoramic Views3.58995.3
Brushy Mountain (Greenbrier)Greenbrier / CosbyViews11.7300017.7
Brushy Mountain (Trillium Gap)Gatlinburg / Mt. LeConteViews / Wildflowers / Falls6.8174510.29
Bullhead TrailGatlinburg / Mt. LeConteViews / Interesting Geological Features5.916079.11
Cataloochee DivideCataloocheeViews / Historic / Wildflowers10125012.5
Charlies BunionNewfound Gap / Clingmans DomePanoramic Views8.1164011.38
Chestnut TopCades Cove / TownsendViews / Wildflowers8.6148611.57
Chimney TopsGatlinburg / Mt. LeContePanoramic Views3.314876.27
Gregory Bald (Gregory Ridge)Cades Cove / TownsendPanoramic Views / Flame Azaleas / Old Growth Forest11.3302017.34
Gregory Bald (Parson Branch)Cades Cove / TownsendPanoramic Views / Flame Azaleas / Old Growth Forest8.8230013.4
Hemphill Bald LoopBalsam MountainPanoramic Views / Old Growth Forest13.7217018.04
Jump Off, TheNewfound Gap / Clingmans DomePanoramic Views6.512759.05
Lonesome Pine OverlookCherokee / Deep CreekViews6.7230011.3
Mt. CammererGreenbrier / CosbyPanoramic Views / Historical11.1304517.19
Mt. LeConte (via Alum Cave)Gatlinburg / Mt. LeContePanoramic Views / Geological11276316.53
Mt. LeConte (Boulevard Trail)Newfound Gap / Clingmans DomePanoramic Views / Old Growth Forest15.6300021.6
Mt. LeConte (via Bullhead)Gatlinburg / Mt. LeContePanoramic Views14.4399322.39
Mt. LeConte (Rainbow Falls)Gatlinburg / Mt. LeContePanoramic Views / Waterfalls13.8399321.79
Mt. LeConte (via Trillium Gap)Gatlinburg / Mt. LeContePanoramic Views / Waterfalls13.9340120.7
Mt. Sterling (via Baxter Creek)Big CreekPanoramic Views / Old Growth Forest12.2420020.6
Mt. Sterling (Mt. Sterling Gap)Big CreekPanoramic Views5.620009.6
Noland DivideNewfound Gap / Clingmans DomeViews / Forest Diversity7.2167910.56
Rich Mountain LoopCades Cove / TownsendViews / Wildflowers / Historical8.5173611.97
Rocky Top / ThunderheadCades Cove / TownsendPanoramic Views / Mtn Laurel13.9366521.23
Shuckstack Fire TowerFontana VillageViews / Wildflowers7212011.24
Silers BaldNewfound Gap / Clingmans DomePanoramic Views9.3215213.6
Spence Field (Anthony Creek)Cades Cove / TownsendPanoramic Views / Mtn Laurel10.3284215.98
Spence Field (via Lead Cove)Cades Cove / TownsendPanoramic Views / Mtn Laurel9.4310015.6
Spence / Russell Field LoopCades Cove / TownsendPanoramic Views / Mtn Laurel13.3305019.4

Waterfall Hikes


TrailLocationTrail Features R/T MilesElevation GainDifficulty Rating
Abrams FallsCades Cove / TownsendWaterfalls5.26756.55
Baskins Creek FallsGatlinburg / Mt. LeConteWaterfalls39534.91
Big Creek / Mouse Creek FallsBig CreekWaterfalls4.26055.41
Chasteen Creek CascadeCherokee / Deep CreekWaterfall / Stream / Wildflowers3.63404.28
Cove MountainElkmontWaterfalls / Old Growth Forest7.7177611.25
Deep Creek LoopCherokee / Deep CreekWaterfalls / Wildflowers4.65795.76
Flat Creek FallsBalsam MountainWaterfalls46005.2
Grotto FallsGatlinburg / Mt. LeConteWaterfalls2.65853.77
Hen Wallow FallsGreenbrier / CosbyWaterfalls4.49006.2
Indian Creek FallsCherokee / Deep CreekWaterfalls1.91502.2
Juney Whank FallsCherokee / Deep CreekWaterfalls0.51940.89
Laurel FallsElkmontWaterfalls2.33142.93
Middle Prong TrailCades Cove / TownsendWaterfalls / History8.3114010.58
Porters Creek TrailGreenbrier / CosbyWaterfalls / Stream / Flowers / Historical / Old Growth Forest46995.4
Rainbow FallsGatlinburg / Mt. LeConteWaterfalls5.416858.77
Ramsey CascadesGreenbrier / CosbyWaterfalls / Old Growth Forest8219012.38
Spruce Flats FallsCades Cove / TownsendWaterfall1.44602.32
Toms Branch FallsCherokee / Deep CreekWaterfalls0.6470.69

Trails Along Streams


TrailLocationTrail FeaturesR/T MilesElevation GainDifficulty Rating
Cucumber Gap LoopElkmontStream / Wildflowers / Historical5.68307.26
Gatlinburg TrailGatlinburg / Mt. LeConteStream / History3.92354.37
Huskey Gap (Little River Trail)ElkmontStream / Wildflowers / Historical10108012.16
Kephart Prong TrailCherokee / Deep CreekStream / Historical4.29556.11
Little River TrailElkmontStream / Wildflowers / Historical4.94125.72
Meigs Creek TrailElkmontQuiet Forest Hike713809.76
Oconaluftee River TrailCherokee / Deep CreekHistorical / Stream3703.14
Smokemont LoopCherokee / Deep CreekStream / Wildflowers / Forest6.514419.38

Trails with Various Features


TrailLocationTrail FeaturesR/T MilesElevation GainDifficulty Rating
Albright GroveGreenbrier / CosbyOld Growth Forest / History / Solitude6.714759.65
Avent CabinElkmontHistory / Quiet Forest Hike25053.01
Balsam High TopBalsam MountainSolitude / Quiet Forest Hike7.6253512.67
Big Fork Ridge LoopCataloocheeOld Growth Forest / Historical9.3180012.9
Boogerman LoopCataloocheeHistorical / Streams / Old Growth Forest7.410409.48
Curry Mountain TrailElkmontQuiet Forest Hike6.411648.73
Goldmine LoopCherokee / Deep CreekHistorical / Lake Views3.16154.33
Grapeyard Ridge Trail (Greenbrier)Greenbrier / CosbyHistorical / Injun Creek steam engine wreck5.89807.76
Huskey Gap (Newfound Gap Rd)Gatlinburg / Mt. LeConteQuiet Forest Hike / Wildflowers4.212706.74
Kanati Fork TrailCherokee / Deep CreekWildflowers414956.99
Little Brier GapElkmontWalker Sisters Place2.62853.17
Lumber Ridge TrailCades Cove / TownsendQuiet Forest Hike / Solitude8.1152411.15
Meigs Mountain TrailElkmontQuiet Forest / History4.66615.92
Mingus Creek TrailCherokee / Deep CreekHistoric / Wildflowers / Stream5.815158.83
Newton BaldCherokee / Deep CreekQuiet Forest Hike / Views10280015.6
Ogle PlaceGatlinburg / Mt. LeConteHistory / Stream0.8900.98
Old Settlers Trail (Maddron Bald)Greenbrier / CosbyHistorical / Tyson McCarter Barn8.8165012.1
Rough Fork TrailBalsam MountainQuiet Forest Hike5.26006.4
Schoolhouse GapCades Cove / TownsendQuiet Forest Hike / Wildflowers3.85134.83
Spruce-Fir TrailNewfound Gap / Clingmans DomeSpruce-Fir Forest0.4250.4
Sugarland Mtn Trail (lower)ElkmontQuiet Forest Hike615009
Sugarland Mtn Trail (upper)Newfound Gap / Clingmans DomeSolitude / Views710909.18
West Prong TrailCades Cove / TownsendQuiet Forest Hike / Stream5.413758.15

Trails Known for Wildflowers


TrailLocationTrail FeaturesR/T MilesElevation GainDifficulty Rating
Albright GroveGreenbrier / CosbyOld Growth Forest / History / Solitude6.714751475
Boogerman LoopCataloocheeHistorical / Streams / Old Growth Forest7.410409.48
Brushy Mountain (Trillium Gap)Gatlinburg / Mt. LeConteViews / Wildflowers / Falls6.8174510.29
Chestnut TopCades Cove / TownsendViews / Wildflowers8.6148611.57
Cucumber Gap LoopElkmontStream / Wildflowers / Historical5.68307.26
Deep Creek LoopCherokee / Deep CreekWaterfalls / Wildflowers4.65795.76
Gregory Bald (Gregory Ridge)Cades Cove / TownsendPanoramic Views / Flame Azaleas / Old Growth Forest11.3302017.34
Gregory Bald (Parson Branch)Cades Cove / TownsendPanoramic Views / Flame Azaleas / Old Growth Forest8.8230013.4
Huskey Gap (Little River Trail)ElkmontStream / Wildflowers / Historical10108012.16
Kanati Fork TrailCherokee / Deep CreekWildflowers414956.99
Little River TrailElkmontStream / Wildflowers / Historical4.94125.72
Porters Creek TrailGreenbrier / CosbyWaterfalls / Stream / Flowers / Historical / Old Growth Forest46995.4
Rich Mountain LoopCades Cove / TownsendViews / Wildflowers / Historical8.5173611.97
Schoolhouse GapCades Cove / TownsendQuiet Forest Hike / Wildflowers3.85134.83
Shuckstack Fire TowerFontana VillageViews / Wildflowers7212011.24
Smokemont LoopCherokee / Deep CreekStream / Wildflowers / Forest6.514419.38