The Great Smoky Mountains have a ton of hiking trails, ranging from easy to moderate to difficult. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never been hiking before or you’ve hiked all over the country, there’s a trail you’ll want to experience in the Smokies. Check out these top 5 popular hikes you should go on in the Great Smoky Mountains:
1. Laurel Falls
One of the most popular hikes in the Smokies that is also easy is Laurel Falls. This is a great trail for families since the trail is paved, making it easier to hike than others. In the spring, you can see a ton of mountain laurel along the trail. Once you reach the top, you’ll see the beautiful waterfall. It is 80 feet tall and separated into two tiers by a footbridge. You can take pictures in front of the top tier of the waterfall. This trail is 2.6 miles roundtrip, and you can also see views of the mountains.
2. Grotto Falls
A moderate trail you should hike in the Great Smoky Mountains is Grotto Falls. The roundtrip length is about 3 miles. You’ll hike alongside a creek for most of the trail. Grotto Falls is off of Trillium Gap Trail, which is used to take supplies to Mount LeConte. You might see llamas along the trail! Once you reach Grotto Falls, you’ll see the 25-foot-tall waterfall. It is unique because it’s the only waterfall in the national park you can walk behind. The cool, damp area is the ideal environment for salamanders, so you might see some of those around the pool of water.
3. Alum Cave
If you want to see mountain views and cool natural features, you should hike to Alum Cave. The roundtrip length is 4.6 miles, making it a moderate trail. You’ll cross creeks on log bridges and make your way through forests with huge trees. The first spot you’ll pass is Arch Rock, which has a ton of rock stairways to make the trail easier to climb. Once you reach Alum Cave, which are actually bluffs, you’ll be amazed by the sheer size of the bluffs and the incredible mountain view from this point. The trail continues to the summit of Mount LeConte.
4. Andrews Bald
For a beautiful view of the mountains, you should hike to Andrews Bald. This trail in the Great Smoky Mountains is considered moderate with a roundtrip length of 3.6 miles. You’ll walk through forests, and once you reach the bald, you’ll have a beautiful view of the mountains. A bald is a meadow on the top of a mountain. There are incredible wildflowers in this area, especially in the spring and summer. Some people bring a picnic to the bald so they can enjoy the view for a little longer. For even more beautiful views, check out these other hiking trails in the Smokies with mountain views!
5. Abrams Falls
If you plan on spending any time in Cades Cove, you should hike to Abrams Falls. The roundtrip length is 5 miles, making it a moderate trail. You’ll hike through a ton of old forest growth, and you might even see wildflowers in the spring and summer. Near the end of the trail, you’ll walk beside the creek until you reach the waterfall. Abrams Falls stands at 20 feet tall, and it has an impressive amount of water gushing over the side.
To stay prepared and safe, find out what you should take with you while you’re hiking in the Smoky Mountains.
These hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains are just some of the fun things you can do in the area. Want even more ideas of what you should do when you stay with us? Check out these attractions in Pigeon Forge!
