Best Easy Hikes in the Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited park in the entire national park system. And for good reason. It has numerous scenic driving tours, plenty of amazing lookouts along the roads, and well-maintained hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous. The month of October is especially spectacular in the park as the leaves are changing from green to vibrant yellow and red.
If you're visiting Gatlinburg and want to do some hiking, read on to find out more about our 6 favorite short hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains as well as some trekking basics to help you prepare for your trip!
Don't forget to check out our web story: The Best 6 Short Hikes in the Smokies!
- Great Smoky Mountains Hiking Basics
- Best Time to Visit the Smokies
- Safety in the Smokies
- Help to Protect and Preserve the Park
- Gear for Hiking in the Smoky Mountains
- 1. Clingmans Dome Lookout
- 2. Laurel Falls
- 3. Grotto Falls
- 4. Baskins Creek Falls
- 5. Andrews Bald
- 6. Chimney Tops
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don't worry, it's at no extra cost to you).
Great Smoky Mountains Hiking Basics
Best Time to Visit the Smokies
October is the most popular month of the year to visit the Great Smoky Mountains as the leaves are changing from green to vibrant yellows and oranges. Temperatures from September through the middle of November tend to be cool but the air is crisp. Expect daytime temperatures to be in the 70-80ºF range in September, dropping to the 50-60ºF range in November. Autumn is also the driest time of the year in the park which makes it ideal for hiking in the Smoky Mountains.
Elevations in the park range from approximately 875 – 6,643 feet and higher elevations tend to be cooler, and it can get quite cold after the sun goes down so be sure to bring warm clothing.
Weather in the park in the spring can be rather unpredictable, especially during the month of March. April and May generally average four inches of rain and March can even see some snow. Summers in the park are hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms. Expect temperatures in the 90ºF range in July and August.
Winters are moderate but it's not uncommon to see snow, especially in the higher elevations. Be sure to check road conditions if you plan to drive through the park in the winter months.
Safety in the Smokies
As with any National Park in the US, you should always carry enough food and water in your pack, as well as a headlamp just in case you end up hiking out after dark. Added dangers of the Great Smoky Mountains include the presence of curious black bears and a winding road where drivers are often enjoying the scenery rather than paying attention to the road.
Most visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains are hoping for one thing – to spot a black bear. There are hundreds of them roaming around in the park so sightings are not uncommon. They are generally not aggressive but, of course, do not feed them or approach them in any way. Willfully approaching within 150 feet, or any distance that disturbs the bear is illegal in the park.
There are also a couple of species of poisonous snakes in the park – the Northern Copperhead and the Timber Rattlesnake. Stay on the designated trails to avoid any unnecessary trouble.
Help to Protect and Preserve the Park
The Great Smoky Mountains is a large, highly trafficked park that requires ongoing trail maintenance, upgrades, and repairs. Especially after the massive fire that damaged several popular hiking trails. And since Tennessee negotiated a deal with the federal government stating that "no toll or license fee shall ever be imposed" to travel on Newfound Gap Road, the park will continue to be enjoyed by all, completely free of charge, for decades to come.
You can help to protect and preserve the park by donating to or volunteering with the Friends of the Smokies. The organization was established in 1993 and has worked on some major projects that have been beneficial to the park and its visitors.
Gear for Hiking in the Smoky Mountains
The Best 6 Short Hikes in the Smokies
These hikes are listed in order from the easiest to the most difficult.
1. Clingmans Dome Lookout
Clingmans Dome is the highest point in all of Tennessee so the views from the lookout are outstanding! The hike to the Clingmans Dome lookout is a very short but steep uphill climb to the top. It is paved the entire way so any type of footwear will work just fine. A large concrete structure has been constructed so that visitors can enjoy unobstructed views. It gets crowded but is worth sharing your space with a few other visitors to see the park from up high.
There is a great view of the park right in the Clingmans Dome parking lot that is popular with photographers vying for the perfect sunset shot. It's worth making time to catch the view right as the sun is beginning to set.
The parking lot at Clingmans Dome is quite small considering this is one of the most popular hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you don't want to wait in a long traffic line or park .5 miles from the lot along the side of the road, plan to arrive early or late in the day.
This hike is ideal to pair with a short hike to Andrews Bald (#5 on our list) as they leave from the same parking lot.
2. Laurel Falls
The hike to Laurel Falls is one of the most popular hikes in all of the Smoky's. The entire hike is paved and it only has a slight incline on your hike in. It is highly trafficked but you will find that you can avoid the crowds later in the day if you begin your hike around 5 pm.
At the end of the hike, you'll find a small bridge crossing the stream of water from the impressive waterfall above. And off to the left, you can stand at the top of another waterfall that cascades down to the valley floor. Be careful here, there are no guard rails and it's a long way to the bottom. Keep an eye on small children.
3. Grotto Falls
Starting Point: Trillium Gap Trailhead on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail
Distance: 1.4 miles one-way
Estimated time commitment: 2 hours
The hike to Grotto Falls is incredibly popular, well-maintained, and highly trafficked. The path is mostly packed dirt with some massive exposed tree roots jutting out occasionally. From the trailhead, it's a steady uphill climb to the falls but the elevation gain is minimal so it's good for all ages and fitness levels.
First, you'll come to a small waterfall with a swimming hole at its base. It's the perfect place to cool off if the weather is nice. And just past it is the picturesque Grotto Falls, a 25-foot high waterfall with a trail leading behind it. You'll get a bit wet when you pass under the falls but the best area to sit and relax is on the rocky outcropping on the other side. The falls get really busy so you may have to hang out for a while to get photos without other people in them.
Be sure to arrive early, the parking lot is small and you may have a bit of a wait to secure a spot. There are a few areas further up the road where you can pull off and park but since the Roaring Fork road is one-way, you won't be able to go back to the lot once you've passed it. This hike is ideal to pair with the Baskins Falls hike below as they are both along the Roaring Fork scenic drive.
4. Baskins Creek Falls
This peaceful rarely trafficked hike starts out fairly flat from the small pull-off on the side of the road. There isn't a parking lot near the trailhead but there are several spots where you can pull off of Roaring Fork Road. After hiking for 1.3 miles, you will see a turn-off to the falls. The descent is steep so use caution. But the 40-foot waterfall at the bottom is certainly worth the short amount of scrambling to the bottom.
The trail is rocky so be sure to wear shoes that have some good traction and ankle support if you need it. It's also worth taking the turnoff to the old cemetery to see the ancient gravestones.
5. Andrews Bald
The hike from the Clingmans Dome parking lot to Andrews Bald is an incredibly well-maintained trail. On the way there, you'll be hiking on a moderate downhill slope so the hike out is a bit more challenging as it is predominately uphill. The trail is rocky and can get muddy so be sure to wear shoes that have good traction. You'll be hiking through a shady forested area for most of the time until the trees open up to a most spectacular view!
Andrews Bald is a clearing where you can enjoy beautiful views of the mountains in the distance while you rest and bask in the sunshine. At the time of writing, a brand new viewing platform was in the process of being constructed in case you're not fond of sitting in the grass.
Be sure to bring enough water as the Clingmans Dome parking lot has no potable water. You can purchase overpriced bottled water at the Visitors Center if you forget.
6. Chimney Tops
The hike to the Chimneys is short but very steep. The well-maintained trail begins with two bridges that cross the river below. Hike down to the rocks below to experience the small but beautiful waterfalls and the incredible foliage overhead. Even if you can't do the entire hike, it's worth stopping here to visit these picturesque bridges anyway.
As you continue up the trail, you'll come to a third bridge and then what feels like an endless series of stairs that have been cut into the dirt. Once you reach the small lookout at the top you'll be sweaty and out of breath, but you will be rewarded with epic views. About 100 yards from this lookout is a locked gate with a sign warning against going any further.
The enormous forest fire that engulfed the Great Smoky Mountains and nearby Gatlinburg was actually started by two kids throwing matches at the top of Chimney Tops. Prior to that fire, the trail was two miles each way and you could scramble to the top of the pinnacles at the end of the hike. But due to ongoing trail repairs, the final .25 mile stretch is closed until further notice. That area is also the only real evidence of a fire that you'll see during your entire hike. The area has repaired itself quite spectacularly.
We hope you enjoy exploring these short hikes in the Smokies! Do you have a favorite day hike in the Smoky Mountains? Let us know in the comments.
Looking for more hiking inspiration in the Great Smoky Mountains? Check out our favorite hiking guides!
SHARE THIS ON PINTEREST
Source: https://wanderingwheatleys.com/best-day-hikes-in-the-smoky-mountains/
0 Response to "Best Easy Hikes in the Smoky Mountains"
Post a Comment