| Great
Smoky Mountains National Park Hiking, Camping, Trail Reviews Below are brief reviews of trails, friends and I have hiked, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. More in-depth hiking and camping reviews can easily be found, but these are designed to be short overviews. If you have a question, contact me HERE! |
Trail
Reviews: Abrams Falls Chimney Tops (The Chimneys) Little River / Cucumber Gap Gregory's Bald #2 Parsons Bald Cades Cove Andrews Bald Clingman's Dome Gregory's Bald #1 |
Smoky
Mountains Park Maps: |
 Abrams Falls Cades Cove Loop |
Trail:Abrams
Falls When: Winter 2005 Distance: 5 miles (RT) Elevation: 1,700 (200 decent) Objective: To see Abrams Creek and Falls Review: The hike to Abrams Falls is a more strenuous hike than you might imagine. It's manageable even for those that don't hike often, but familes with younger kids should be prepared. No sandals. And remember that this trail descends more than ascends, so coming back is tougher. The trailhead is well marked on the right, nearly 6 miles into the Cades Cove loop just before you get to the visitor center. Despite some rocky spots and slick areas, the hiking trail is well groomed. There are a couple of nice climbs that will get your heart going. The last quarter mile takes you down to the creek and you can hear the soothing sounds of water as you approach. The trail is mostly covered by a canopy of lush trees which helps a lot on hot days. You will hang a left and find the water falls as seen in the picture to the left. A very nice reward for a 5 mile hike.  Top
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  Chimney Tops |
Trail:
Chimney Tops (The Chimneys) When: Winter 2004 Distance: 4 miles (RT) Elevation: 4,840 (1,300 acsent) Objective: The View Review: Short trail, difficult terrain, amazing payoff. The Chimney Tops are one of the most popular destinations in the park. The hike takes about an hour and there are many opportunities for great photos. Prongs of the Little Pigeon River cris-cross the trail and the scenery is breathtaking. At the half-way point, the trail gets a little more steep and difficult. Terrain is loose and rocks and roots are everywhere, so watch your step! On this morning Chimney Tops trail was slick with ice. About half-way up the sun was rising and melting the snow on the trees. When you get to the top, the trail abruptly ends near a rockface, which is the Chimney. There are a few options depending how daring you are. There are good views right off the trail, but there is also an option to climb the rock face as you approach the Chimney Tops. This will get you about half way up and provides you with incredible views of both valleys. The most daring option will take you to the very top. There is a crack up the rock right near the end of the trail. It's steep and you have to use your hands the whole way up. The Chimney Tops are highly recommended, especially if you are looking for a unique hike with an amazing view. Just watch your step and bring the correct gear... leave the sandals at home.
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 Little River Trail & Cucumber Gap |
Trail:
Little River / Cucumber Gap When: Summer 2003 Distance: 10.6 miles (RT including day hike) Elevation: 2,860 Objective: Hiking / camping at campsite #24 Review: This was a great site. We took the Cucumber Gap trail out and the Little River trail back so we could experience both trails. We headed out mid-morning on the Cucumber Gap Trailhead. You have to walk down a road and up some hills just a bit. FYI - Cucumber Gap is steeper than Little River Trail so if you want an easier round trip, take Little River out and Cucumber back. Anyway, beautiful trail and well maintained. The trail follows the Little River most of the way providing some small waterfalls and great photo opps. There are a few extremely rocky sections, some across water, but not too difficult to navigate. Not many great views of the Smoky Mountains, but during the summer the forest is lush and thick. Campsite #24, which does require a reservation, was perfect. Near the Little River, you could hear rushing water all night. Although we didn't see any, the Bear are frequent in this area. Campsite #30 had been closed due to Bears when we arrived.
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 Gregory's Bald |
Trail:
Gregory Ridge to Gregory's Bald When: Summer 2002 Distance: 14 miles (RT, with hike to Parsons Bald) Elevation: 4,950 (Over 3,000 ft. elevation gain) Objective: Camp at campsite #13 Review: Holy crap! This was my second trip to campsite #13 via the Gregory Ridge trail. It was as painful as I remember from 9 years before. It's one of those trails that doesn't end... there's always another turn, another climb. Charlie, Mike and I got to Cades Cove early, but had to wait for the rangers to open the road. We got on the trail in good time and hoofed it pretty good to the top. You're looking at 3.5 to 4 hours if you keep moving. Exhausted, we rested on the bald and ate before heading down to the campsite. After a brief but very necessary nap we hiked to Parsons Bald which was pretty uneventful. Gregory Bald hosts one of the most awesome views of the Smokies and sits along the Appalachian Trail on the Tennessee, North Carolina border. On this trip we saw it all... wild turkey's, a couple of bear, bear cubs and wild boar. There were also several deer that wandered through our campsite. As we were leaving in the morning we experienced the Smokies first hand. The fog was so thick you only had a few feet of visibility. Gregory's Bald is a must, but if you don't want the added pain, take the Parsons Road trailhead. I've never taken it but I hear its not as brutal as Gregory Ridge. Either way, it's well worth it.
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Trail:
Parsons Bald When: Summer 2002 Distance: 1 mile from Gregory Bald Elevation: 4,746 Objective: Day hike from Gregory Bald Review: This bald, especially in comparison with Gregory and Andrew's Balds, is very disappointing. It really isn’t much of a bald and has been mostly overgrown. There are a few slivers of a view but for the most part you can’t see much beyond the trees around you. Some pretty foliage but that’s about it. So if you’re looking for a view, or a destination… this isn’t it. We didn't even take a picture.
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 Cades Cove Loop |
Trail:
Cades Cove Loop When: 6+ times 1993-2002 Distance: 11 miles Elevation: 1,500 (approx) Objective: Beautiful, relaxing drive Review: One of my favorite drives and most beautiful areas in the park, although frustrating at times. Cades Cove loop is one lane, one way. So it only takes one jackass to hold up the whole park. There are some areas where you can pull off, but many people don't. If you go early in the morning you can see bear, turkeys, deer and I'm told the red wolf, when reintroduced to the Smokies, was spotted here a couple of times. The reintroduction program is no more... and that sucks. Apparantly there was a high pup mortality rate and the farmers didn't like them much. Cades Cove is a great spot to take it all in, if you don't want to leave your vehicle. At certain times during the summer they close the road to cars and allow you to ride the loop on bikes. This is great if you want to sneak up on some wildlife. I would dare say that heaven would be a disappointment after seeing Cades Cove. Beautiful!
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Andrews Bald When: 6 times 1996-2001 Distance: 4 miles (RT) Elevation: 5,700 Objective: Day hikes Review: Andrews Bald is one of my favorite hikes in the Smoky Mountains. This was always the perfect place to get away from the stress of school. My best man and I hiked here the day before my wedding. There was a massive thunderstorm to the west and it was sunny to the east that day. It was awesome with lightening slamming down on the mountain while we watched the sun! We took it all in and relaxed there for many hours. The hike to Andrews Bald is only a couple of miles, but just far enough away from the parking area to weed out the crowds and wannabe outdoorsmen with their Twinkies and air conditioned busses. You take Newfound Gap to Clingmans Dome Road and follow it to the end (20 miles from Gatlinburg). Just before the restrooms and hike up to Clingmans, the Andrews Bald trailhead drops to the left. The hike is rocky and parts of it can be slippery. Not to difficult as it is a decent, but coming back can wind you a little. The view is truly spectacular and so peaceful. You can actually feel the silence. I've never had an insect problem here either. I have been on Andrews Bald in a massive lightening storm and on very clear days and it’s always great. It never gets old. Next time your near Newfound Gap or Clingmans, you must take this hike. Only then can you truly experience the Smoky Mountains.
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 Clingman's Dome |
Trail:
Clingmans Dome When: 4 times 1996-1998 Distance: 1.1 miles (RT) Elevation: 6,643 Objective: Quick hike to observation tower Review: The Clingmans Dome hike is a must stop for anyone driving up Newfound Gap. It is the highest point in both Smoky Mountains National Park and on the Appalachian Trail. It’s short and quick but will kick the wind out of you with a 400 foot ascent in a half mile. The only downside to this hike is all the mooks it attracts. There are many people who don’t respect the peacefulness of the park. So respect others if you head to Clingmans… a spectacular 360 degree view awaits you from the observation platform. On clear days you can see up to 7 states. Keep in mind that the road is closed from Dec. 1 to April 1. Clingmans Dome is one of the best and easily accessible views in the park. If your in Gatlinburg, just head into the park and keep going. The road to Clingman's starts 13 miles into the park and is 20 miles from Gatlinburg.
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 Gregory's Bald |
Trail:
Gregory Ridge to Gregory's Bald When: Winter 1993 Distance: 12 miles Elevation: 4,950 Objective: Camp at campsite #13 (first time camping in the Smoky Mountains) Review: This was an awakening! The hike up the Gregory Ridge Trail was brutal and one of the toughest camping trips I have ever been on. We could have easily gotten in some trouble with the weather. I think only two or three of us were prepared for the cold. When we left Knoxville it was about 50 degrees and by the time we reached Gregory's Bald it was well below freezing. I hiked with some entertaining guys from my UT dorm who were more interested in packing beer and candy than extra clothing. This was winter and all the beer was frozen solid. It was a blast despite freezing temperatures and a nice strong wind coming over the ridge. I happen not to drink, so I packed a lot of extra clothes. It took us a long time to get a fire started and the cold got to us so much we ended up with about 8 guys in a 4 man tent. I hiked up to Gregory's bald with a few guys, who weren't trying to figure out how to get drunk off of frozen beer, and we laid up on the bald and just took in the stars and view of Gatlinburg in the distance. Camping in the Smokies... I was hooked!
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