Best Trails near Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Very challenging as uphill nearly the entire way but rewarding at the top with a great view. We knew going up the last leg was still closed but disappointing nonetheless. Pack light for the way up, not too long but it is a grind.

Ascending to the top was steep but the trail was very well maintained. No rock scrambling required, so I would rate it as moderate. The descending was a breeze! Beautiful view and water falls!

The waterfall at the end is a great payoff. Not very many people on this trail. The scenery changes often which makes it very entertaining. There are some great views at the beginning. The incline on the way back is quite challenging. Definitely a more difficult trail of the moderate category

This was our favorite hike in the Smoky’s! We included the Jump Off on our way to Charles Bunion (an extra 0.6 mile). The trail starts at the Newfound Gap parking lot, and it’s about 4.4 miles until the Charles Bunion lookout, which is absolutely breathtaking. We could have spent all day at the lookout! Highly recommend.

Steep but not very far, and the views from the observation tower are spectacular. You can take a side trail and a bit of the AT if you want to avoid the main paved trail with the zillions of people. Go early for easier parking and avoiding the massive crowds.

This was a very well kept trail. It was a steep climb but had a beautiful view at the end. There's 4 bridge crossings with great rock formations along the trail too. We started before 9 am and it wasn't heavily trafficked until on our way down closer to 11.

A tough hike for sure but a very beautiful waterfall reward at the end! I recommend having a hiking stick. I didn’t have one and wished I did the whole time I was descending. I will mention that at the falls there are tons of bees. They appear to be common honey bees and not aggressive but they were everywhere. I had intended to sit at the falls and enjoy a snack but I literally had bees crawling all over me. One was crawling down my boot even. None stung me but if you are freaked out by bees or super allergic then be advised.

Wonderful hike.

Had a good time with family with 2.5 year old boy. Interesting and pleasant trail with lots of stuff to see along way. Lots of small boulders and roots however. Not hard, bur not for individuals with limited dexterity. Certainly not stroller friendly. Easy going besides that. Nothing to lose your breath over.

The trail has a slow elevation climb to the top of the falls so you never have to worry about a steep climb. Hardest part of the trail were stepping over large rocks/tree roots. Trail is well maintained. There are some creek crossings so if it rains heavy the day before, you may get your shoes wet. We got to the trail at 9am and it wasn't crowded, took us 3 hours round trip and on the way back there were lots of people. I'm your average couch potato and I made the hike, but plenty of people were stopping along the way for breaks. Keep in mind there are some small falls you'll see along the way, so if you don't feel like you can make the journey and want to turn back, you will have still seen some beautiful scenery.

Steep but paved. Wide enough for a vehicle. Very crowded, but worth it for the view on top.

Too crowded. Not much to see. Time is better spent elsewhere.

Great trail, well maintained, and the payoff of seeing Rainbow Falls at the end is totally worth it. Note that the trail is currently closed for maintenance Mon-Thurs through the summer 2018 season. We hiked this with family ranging in age from 7-70. It took us a little under 4 hours round trip, but that includes a long stop at the falls and a bunch of snack/water breaks for the kids. We started around 8am Amy's it wasn't crowded at all on the way up but as we were heading down we passed about a zillion people just starting out on the hike. Definitely pays to get there early.

Pretty view at top (which really isn’t the top, but actual top closed since fire). Nice short hike with pretty much all elevation in last mile. Very doable though. Would rate as moderate even with steep last mile.

Truly an amazing hike! Started early in the morning to beat the heat, and we stayed cool the whole way. Parts of the trail are definitely rocky and lots of exposed roots at times, but nothing you can’t get past. We are not experienced hikers, and had an easy time getting up the rocks. Something I loved about this trail was the gradual incline it has. Nothing too steep, which made it quite easy to hike. And then the view at the end is absolutely unbeatable. I highly suggest this trail to anyone who’s looking for great views the whole way! Also, look out for squirrels haha one jumped right in front of me on the trail and scared me pretty good. They’re stealthy, but cute!

Lots to check out. Relaxing place. More parking is needed, lots of trails to venture out to. Little store at the end very cute things! Awesome for kids lots of tree stumps, so many places to stub toes if not wearing the right shoes. Great family place!

Gorgeous view in a clear day! Uphill is a challenge for any aerobic handicaps, like myself, but glad I stuck it out. 2nd half was much easier

Awesome hike! Saw very few people, but saw a pregnant deer up close, a baby bear, an owl and 2 more deer at the end. Very challenging. Uphill to finish. Will do again someday.

Easy out and back trail with a visitor center (restrooms and vending machines). Seems pretty popular - we went mid morning and saw a steady stream of fellow hikers. Loved hiking along the little stream. Dog friendly.

Challenging hike and well worth the work to get to Mount LeConte. My favorite parts were walking the spines of several ridges, and the short hike up to Myrtle Point.

Good strenuous climb to a good view of Chimney Top.

Beautiful trail. It says easy but near the last mile it gets a little harder if you are just a beginner.

it was the best hike I've had in a while i took about 200 pictures lovely nature.

Really cool town. Awesome history and not too challenging of a hike.

My favorite went before sun rise got to the top to watch the sun rise was amazing!

My cousin and i brought our bathing suits and played in the water awhile. my aunt and uncle packed a lunch. I strongly recommend heading up early, as it gets hot! I will say that we saw a bear on our way back down!

This trail is closed due to a rockfall.

Fantastic hike! Even with thunder, lightning and hail!!

Beautiful trail. We completed the entire loop, starting with the more moderate hike through Cucumber Gap and ending along the river on Little River Trail. Hiked this in the rain and it was actually quite nice - a little muddy and some stream crossings, but overall very peaceful. Some tips if you would like to hike this loop: Waterproof boots! We got to the trailhead before 8am and it said the road was closed. After 8am we were able to enter. There are two parking lots right next to each other. If you want to hike along the stream first, park in the first lot. If you want to hike the more moderate part first, then park in the 2nd lot. If you do the full loop it will end in the lot that you likely did not park in, so you have to walk a little bit further. Finally, as we were finishing up the hike it was becoming very highly trafficked. Enjoy!