Copyright © 2008 HikingintheSmokys.com.  All Rights Reserved.

          Read this disclaimer before using any information on this site.        

 

 

                                      

 Laurel Falls
 Trail Features:   Waterfalls
 Trail Location:   Little River Road
 Roundtrip Miles:   2.3 miles
 Total Elevation Gain:   314 feet
 Avg. Elev Gain / Mile:    273 feet
 Highest Elevation:   2677 feet
 Trail Difficulty Rating:   2.93 (easy)
 Parking Lot Latitude:   35.67208
 Parking Lot Longitude:   -83.58068
 

Directions to Trailhead:

From the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, drive 3.8 miles to the top of Fighting Creek Gap. The Laurel Falls parking lot will be on your right.

From the Townsend “Y” intersection near Cades Cove, the Laurel Falls trailhead is 13.7 miles away.

 

Trail Description:

Laurel Falls is an extremely popular destination within the park. Parking can be a problem during peak season. If you’re looking to avoid crowds, you may want to begin your hike early in the morning, during the early evening, on a weekday, or during the off-season.

 

Due to the extreme popularity, the Park Service realized at some point that they needed to pave the trail to Laurel Falls. You'll find a lot of families with young children on this trail. If you do plan to hike with young children, I highly suggest that you keep a close eye on them at all times. The trail passes next to some very steep drop-offs, especially as you get closer to the falls.

 

Roundtrip, the trail to the falls and back to the parking lot is 2.3 miles. You'll climb about 314 feet in elevation before arriving at the 60 foot falls. The hike is well worth it!

 

If your goal is to comeback with some excellent photos of the falls, you may want to go early in the morning or late in the day. The shade provided by the surrounding mountains will produce a much better picture.

 

If you still have plenty of energy, you can continue on the Laurel Falls Trail for another 2.7 miles to the old fire tower at the top of Cove Mountain.