Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, rest on the outskirts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The towns provide the hiking enthusiast an ideal place to start exploring the hundreds of thousands of acres of nearby trails. There are trails of different lengths and severity in the area, offering numerous choices for hikers of all levels.
Time Frame
Many people visit Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in the summer, making it difficult to find accommodations if you haven't booked well in advance. Average temperatures in the summer are in the mid-80s, dropping down to the 60s in the evening, according to the Weather Channel. However, the weather is cooler and less humid in the early spring and late fall, making these seasons a good time to hike.
Near Gatlinburg
A handful of trailheads are just a few miles away from Gatlinburg, inside the boundary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A popular trail is Baskins Creek Falls, a difficult 3-mile trail that takes you up to 2,900 feet.
Near Pigeon Forge
Closer to Pigeon Forge is Maddron Bald Overnight Loop, an 18-mile loop that is popular with overnight backpackers. This moderate hike typically takes three days, but you can opt to do just a portion of it. The hike takes you through meadows, past some of the oldest trees in the park and offers panoramic views.
Easy Hikes
If you are looking for an adventure that is a bit easier than scrambling to a mountaintop or a multi-day hike, there are some options in the area.
Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail is a paved 1/2-mile loop accessible for wheelchairs in the national park. For something a little longer, Fighting Creek Nature Trail is an easy 1 ¼-mile out-and-back hike that takes you past waterfalls and old, historic homesteads. However, black bears are often spotted on this trail and it is sometimes closed down when bears are around, according to LocalHikes.com.
Tougher Hikes
Brushy Mountain Trail is a 10.8-mile round trip that takes you up to 3,046 feet. This hike is long and challenging, but not overly steep, according to LocalHikes.com. Nearby Ramsay Cascade Trail is an 8-mile hike that features the largest old-growth forest remaining in the national park.
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