Gregory Bald NC – Grassy Bald with Flame Azaleas

Trail Overview

Gregory Bald, a 4,900-foot grassy bald known for its flame azalea bloom, sits almost exactly on the North Carolina/Tennessee state line. It runs 17.5 mi round trip loop (the North Carolina-side route, via Twentymile Trail, the Appalachian Trail, Gregory Bald Trail, and Wolf Ridge Trail), featuring unimpaired views of Cades Cove and the surrounding mountains, with a well-known flame azalea bloom in late June.

Where It Is

North Carolina-side trailhead: Twentymile Ranger Station, off NC-28 near Fontana Dam, NC.

Good to Know

Always check current trail, parking, and access conditions with the managing agency before you go — conditions can change with weather and season. Most hikers reach Gregory Bald from the Tennessee side (via Cades Cove, a much shorter 9.0-mile round trip) — the North Carolina-side approach from Twentymile is real but significantly longer and more remote. Source: National Park Service (nps.gov).

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