5 Best Hiking Spots in Gatlinburg, TN

We love to hike when we visit Gatlinburg and the fall is a great time to hike because the temps have dropped and the weather is perfect for a good hike!  We wanted to share 5 of our favorite spots and give you some info on what you can expect if you visit them.

Gatlinburg Trail Head 
This is a dog-friendly park featuring a wooded 3.8-mi. roundtrip path.  It runs along the river with lots of nice places to stop and get in the water.  The river views are a plus and there is a footbridge.  It's beautiful and well maintained and perfect for families because the hike is kid-friendly.  

Rainbow Falls
This 80-foot high waterfall produces a rainbow in the mist on sunny afternoons. If you like hiking in the winter, you may see a pretty cool ice formation that builds around the falls.  The Rainbow Falls Trail continues for approximately 4 miles beyond the falls to the summit of Mount Le Conte. This 5.4 mile roundtrip hike is considered moderate in difficulty but due to the length, elevation gain, and rocky terrain in sections of the trail, some rate the hike as difficult; so this trail may be better suited for adults as small kids may have a hard time keeping up.  More info HERE.

Cataract Falls
This trail is very short (3/4 mile) and is appropriate for young children.  It has great views of 25-foot high Cataract Falls. It is a great way to see a beautiful waterfall without too much effort.  It is less than 10 minutes from downtown Gatlinburg so it's easy to jump from a fun activity in town to a family adventure in nature.  There is a canopy of trees which means good shade from the sun and kids  love the bridges that cross Fighting Creek.  And parents can relax because there are sturdy rails and cables to keep their children safe! You can find lots of pics of this family friendly spot HERE.

Chimney Tops
The Chimney Tops Trail is one of the most popular trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail is a steep climb, it gains 1,400 feet in nearly 2 miles.  For this reason you need to make sure to wear good climbing shoes and leave the kids at home because it's definitely a challenge.  The top section of the trail to the Chimney Tops pinnacles was heavily damaged by fire so the final 0.25 mile section of the Chimney Tops Trail is closed to all public use. The upper section of trail and rocky pinnacles are not safe for visitors. 

Laurel Falls
This 2.4-mile out-and-back trail near Gatlinburg, Tennessee is considered an easy route.  On average it takes a little over an hour to complete. It's a very popular area for hiking and walking, so you will have some company on this trail. The trail is open year-round and it is beautiful to visit all year. It's kid-friendly but don't bring your four legged friends because animals are not allowed.  Check out this REVIEW if you are considered a visit to this site.

When you are planning your trip to the Great Smoky Mountains make sure to plan at least one day to check out one (or more) of these hiking spots.  Whether it's an adult trip or a family trip, there are trails for both advanced hikers and trails that are perfect for kids!

Stay at the Giving Cabin this fall and you will be close to all these sites and have the perfect place to rest and relax after your adventures on the trails!!