Mount Sterling Loop
Overnight loop with huge elevation gain along waterfall creeks and steep ridgelines in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 27 km
- Ascent
- 1.3 km
- Descent
- 1.3 km
Find Your Perfect Trail in Great Smoky Mountains NP
From family-friendly outings to tough overnighters, these top 10 hikes reveal the best of the Smokies.
Hiking Easy, Moderate, Difficult
Description
The Great Smoky Mountains are some of the wildest mountains in all of the Appalachian Range. High summits, deep valleys, rushing rivers, dense forests, and treeless balds make up an intricate landscape that’s best explored on foot.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, but that statistic is a little misleading. Most visitors simply drive through a section of the park to reach Gatlinburg or other tourist destinations, and never step off the pavement. With more than 800 miles of official trails, you can be sure that utter solitude awaits somewhere in the woods. There’s quite a range of possibilities, from easy and popular waterfall paths to grueling treks on remote ridgelines. These 10 hikes cover all of that, but they’re just a small taste of what's in the park. Find the one that’s right for you, then set out to explore the Smokies.
Routes included
Appalachian Trail: Fontana Dam to Newfound Gap
The approach to Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 66 km
- Ascent
- 3.8 km
- Descent
- 2.8 km
Appalachian Trail: Newfound Gap to Davenport Gap
The second half of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 52 km
- Ascent
- 2.4 km
- Descent
- 3.5 km
Mountains to Sea Trail: Clingmans Dome to Oconaluftee Visitor Center
The western terminus for North Carolina's Mountains to Sea Trail.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 44 km
- Ascent
- 1.2 km
- Descent
- 2.5 km
Mount LeConte via Alum Cave
A popular route to the summit of Mount LeConte.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 933 m
- Descent
- 933 m
Smokemont Loop
A classic hike from the Smokemont Campground.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 10 km
- Ascent
- 459 m
- Descent
- 459 m
Chimney Tops Trail
Steep climb to a popular viewpoint near a craggy summit.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 6.3 km
- Ascent
- 422 m
- Descent
- 422 m
Laurel Falls
Family friendly, paved trail to one of the best waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Easy Hiking
- Distance
- 4 km
- Ascent
- 136 m
- Descent
- 136 m
Abrams Falls
Popular hike from Cades Cove to a waterfall and great swimming hole.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 8 km
- Ascent
- 222 m
- Descent
- 222 m
Clingmans Dome
Paved path to an observation tower at the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Easy Hiking
- Distance
- 1.9 km
- Ascent
- 101 m
- Descent
- 101 m
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