Directory of Trails by Location within the Great Smoky Mountains

Trails in the directory below are grouped by general location within the Great Smoky Mountains, such as hiking trails near Gatlinburg or Cades Cove. A more precise location is listed in the tables below, with trailhead directions on each individual trail page. To get a general idea on the location of a particular trail, please visit our park map page.
By clicking on any trail name you'll find more detailed information, including trail descriptions, directions, key features, pictures, elevation profiles and maps.

Difficulty Rating Defined: Hiking trails near Gatlinburg, or anywhere in the Great Smoky Mountains, can be challenging. We've included a difficulty rating for each trail so that hikers can easily compare ratings against other trails, and find one that matches their abilities or fitness level. Here's how the numbers can be interpreted: a difficulty rating of less than 5 is 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 trail.

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

Gatlinburg & Mount LeConte Area


TrailLocationTrail FeaturesRoundtrip MilesElevation GainDifficulty Rating

Alum Cave

Newfound Gap RoadViews / Interesting Geological Features4.411256.65
Baskins Creek FallsRoaring Fork Motor Tr.Waterfalls39534.91
Brushy Mountain (Trillium Gap)Roaring Fork Motor Tr.Views / Wildflowers / Falls6.8174510.29
Bullhead TrailRoaring Fork Motor Tr.Views / Interesting Geological Features5.916079.11
Chimney TopsNewfound Gap RdPanoramic Views3.314876.27
Gatlinburg TrailGatlinburgStream / History3.92354.37
Grotto FallsRoaring Fork Motor Tr.Waterfalls2.65853.77
Huskey Gap (Newfound Gap Rd)Newfound Gap RoadQuiet Forest Hike / Wildflowers4.212706.74
Mt. LeConte (via Alum Cave)Newfound Gap RoadPanoramic Views / Geological11276316.53
Mt. LeConte (via Bullhead)Roaring Fork Motor Tr.Panoramic Views14.4399322.39
Mt. LeConte (Rainbow Falls)Roaring Fork Motor Tr.Panoramic Views / Waterfalls13.8399321.79
Mt. LeConte (via Trillium Gap)Roaring Fork Motor Tr.Panoramic Views / Waterfalls13.9340120.7
Ogle PlaceCherokee Orchard RoadHistory / Stream0.8900.98
Rainbow FallsRoaring Fork Motor Tr.Waterfalls5.416858.77

Newfound Gap / Clingmans Dome Area


TrailLocationTrail FeaturesRoundtrip MilesElevation GainDifficulty Rating
Andrews BaldClingmans Dome RoadPanoramic Views3.58995.3
Charlies BunionNewfound GapPanoramic Views8.1164011.38
Jump Off, TheNewfound GapPanoramic Views6.512759.05
Mt. LeConte (Boulevard Trail)Newfound GapPanoramic Views / Old Growth Forest15.6300021.6
Noland DivideClingmans Dome RoadViews / Forest Diversity7.2167910.56
Silers BaldClingmans Dome RoadPanoramic Views9.3215213.6
Spruce-Fir TrailClingmans Dome RoadSpruce-Fir Forest0.4250.4
Sugarland Mtn Trail (upper)Clingmans Dome RoadSolitude / Views710909.18

Cades Cove / Townsend Area


TrailLocationTrail FeaturesRoundtrip MilesElevation GainDifficulty Rating
Abrams FallsCades CoveWaterfalls5.26756.55
Chestnut TopTownsendViews / Wildflowers8.6148611.57
Gregory Bald (Gregory Ridge)Cades CovePanoramic Views / Flame Azaleas / Old Growth Forest11.3302017.34
Gregory Bald (Parson Branch)Parson Branch RoadPanoramic Views / Flame Azaleas / Old Growth Forest8.8230013.4
Lumber Ridge TrailTownsendQuiet Forest Hike / Solitude8.1152411.15
Middle Prong TrailTownsendWaterfalls / History8.3114010.58
Rich Mountain LoopCades CoveViews / Wildflowers / Historical8.5173611.97
Rocky Top / ThunderheadCades Cove Picnic AreaPanoramic Views / Mtn Laurel13.9366521.23
Schoolhouse GapTownsendQuiet Forest Hike / Wildflowers3.85134.83
Spence Field (Anthony Creek)Cades Cove Picnic AreaPanoramic Views / Mtn Laurel10.3284215.98
Spence Field (via Lead Cove)Cades CovePanoramic Views / Mtn Laurel9.4310015.6
Spence / Russell Field LoopCades Cove Picnic AreaPanoramic Views / Mtn Laurel13.3305019.4
Spruce Flats FallsTownsendWaterfall1.44602.32
West Prong TrailTownsendQuiet Forest Hike / Stream5.413758.15

Elkmont Area


TrailLocationTrail FeaturesRoundtrip MilesElevation GainDifficulty Rating
Avent CabinElkmontHistory / Quiet Forest Hike25053.01
Cove MountainLittle River RoadWaterfalls / Old Growth Forest7.7177611.25
Cucumber Gap LoopElkmontStream / Wildflowers / Historical5.68307.26
Curry Mountain TrailLittle River RoadQuiet Forest Hike6.411648.73
Huskey Gap (Little River Trail)ElkmontStream / Wildflowers / Historical10108012.16
Laurel FallsLittle River RoadWaterfalls2.33142.93
Little Brier GapElkmontWalker Sisters Place2.62853.17
Little River TrailElkmontStream / Wildflowers / Historical4.94125.72
Meigs Creek TrailLittle River RoadQuiet Forest Hike713809.76
Meigs Mountain TrailElkmontQuiet Forest / History4.66615.92
Sugarland Mtn Trail (lower)Little River RoadQuiet Forest Hike615009

Cherokee / Deep Creek Area


TrailLocationTrail FeaturesRoundtrip MilesElevation GainDifficulty Rating
Chasteen Creek CascadeCherokee / Deep CreekWaterfall / Stream / Wildflowers3.63404.28
Deep Creek LoopDeep CreekWaterfalls / Wildflowers4.65795.76
Goldmine LoopCherokee / Deep CreekHistorical / Lake Views3.16154.33
Indian Creek FallsDeep CreekWaterfalls1.91502.2
Juney Whank FallsDeep CreekWaterfalls0.51940.89
Kanati Fork TrailNewfound Gap RoadWildflowers414956.99
Kephart Prong TrailNewfound Gap RoadStream / Historical4.29556.11
Lonesome Pine OverlookDeep CreekViews6.7230011.3
Mingus Creek TrailCherokee / Deep CreekHistoric / Wildflowers / Stream5.815158.83
Newton BaldSmokemontQuiet Forest Hike / Views10280015.6
Oconaluftee River TrailOconaluftee Visitor CenterHistorical / Stream3703.14
Smokemont LoopSmokemont Stream / Wildflowers / Forest6.514419.38
Toms Branch FallsDeep CreekWaterfalls0.6470.69

Greenbrier / Cosby Area


TrailLocationTrail FeaturesRoundtrip MilesElevation GainDifficulty Rating
Albright GroveMaddron Bald TrailheadOld Growth Forest / History / Solitude6.714759.65
Brushy Mountain (Greenbrier)GreenbrierViews11.7300017.7
Grapeyard Ridge Trail (Greenbrier)GreenbrierHistorical / Injun Creek steam engine wreck5.89807.76
Hen Wallow FallsCosbyWaterfalls4.49006.2
Mt. CammererCosbyPanoramic Views / Historical11.1304517.19
Old Settlers Trail (Maddron Bald)Maddron Bald TrailheadHistorical / Tyson McCarter Barn8.8165012.1
Porters Creek TrailGreenbrierWaterfalls / Stream / Flowers / Historical / Old Growth Forest46995.4
Ramsey CascadesGreenbrierWaterfalls / Old Growth Forest8219012.38

Balsam Mountain / Big Creek / Cataloochee / Fontana Lake


TrailLocationTrail FeaturesRoundtrip MilesElevation GainDifficulty Rating
Balsam High TopBalsam MountainSolitude / Quiet Forest Hike7.6253512.67
Flat Creek FallsBalsam MountainWaterfalls46005.2
Hemphill Bald LoopBalsam MountainPanoramic Views / Old Growth Forest13.7217018.04
Rough Fork TrailBalsam MountainQuiet Forest Hike5.26006.4
Big Creek / Mouse Creek FallsBig CreekWaterfalls4.26055.41
Mt. Sterling (via Baxter Creek)Big CreekPanoramic Views / Old Growth Forest12.2420020.6
Mt. Sterling (Mt. Sterling Gap)Mt. Sterling GapPanoramic Views5.620009.6
Big Fork Ridge LoopCataloocheeOld Growth Forest / Historical9.3180012.9
Boogerman LoopCataloocheeHistorical / Streams / Old Growth Forest7.410409.48
Cataloochee DivideCove Creek GapViews / Historic / Wildflowers10125012.5
Shuckstack Fire TowerFontana VillageViews / Wildflowers7212011.24