Great Smoky Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains Hikes From Western North Carolina
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is crossed by a large trail network, and the well-known routes range from a half-mile nature walk to a 12-mile railroad-bed route. Picking one is the hard part.
This page sorts through routes documented by the National Park Service, from Kuwohi's short summit walk to the 10-mile round trip to Mount LeConte. One thing to know before you plan: the NPS describes these trails in words rather than rating them Easy, Moderate, or Strenuous, so this page shows distance and the main draw instead of inventing a rating.
Compare the Routes
Each trail below is listed by round-trip distance and its main draw. The NPS does not assign difficulty categories, so read the details before you commit.
Trail
Distance
Difficulty
Highlight
1 mi round trip
Not rated by the NPS
Observation tower at the highest point in the park
0.62 mi round trip
Not rated by the NPS
Bridges over Bradley Fork; about 168 ft of elevation gain
4 mi round trip
Not rated by the NPS
CCC camp remains and Kephart Shelter; about 830 ft of gain
4.6 mi round trip
Not rated by the NPS
Arch Rock, the bluffs, and old-growth forest
5 mi round trip
Not rated by the NPS
25-ft waterfall; the NPS strongly discourages swimming
5.6 mi round trip
Not rated by the NPS
Waterfall reached with about 1,500 ft of climbing
Charlies Bunion (via the Appalachian Trail)
8 mi round trip
Not rated by the NPS
Rocky outcrop with panoramic views
10 mi round trip
Not rated by the NPS
Summit views at Cliff Top and Myrtle Point
12.4 mi round trip
Not rated by the NPS
Former railroad bed with remains of the Daisytown settlement
Top Picks by What You Want
Since the park does not rate difficulty, grouping by outing type is often more useful than a label.
Best for a short walk
Kuwohi (1 mi round trip) and Smokemont Nature Trail (0.62 mi round trip) are the shortest routes on this list.
Best for a waterfall
Abrams Falls (5 mi round trip) and Rainbow Falls (5.6 mi round trip) both lead to waterfalls, but plan on a half-day commitment.
Best for a big day
Mount LeConte via Alum Cave (10 mi round trip) and Little River Trail (12.4 mi round trip) are the longest routes here.
Route Details
Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome) The walk to Kuwohi is 1 mile round trip and ends at an observation tower at the highest point in the national park.
Smokemont Nature Trail Smokemont Nature Trail is a 0.62-mile round trip with bridges over Bradley Fork and roughly 168 feet of elevation gain, the shortest option here.
Chimney Tops Overlook The route to the Chimney Tops Overlook is 3.5 miles round trip, with stone stairs and a panoramic view at the end.
Andrews Bald Andrews Bald is a 3.6-mile round trip to an open grassy bald with wide views and azaleas.
Kephart Prong Trail Kephart Prong Trail is a 4-mile round trip past the remains of a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and Kephart Shelter, with about 830 feet of elevation gain.
Alum Cave Bluffs The trail to Alum Cave Bluffs is 4.6 miles round trip, passing Arch Rock and old-growth forest on the way to the bluffs.
Abrams Falls Abrams Falls is a 5-mile round trip to a 25-foot waterfall. The National Park Service strongly discourages swimming there.
Rainbow Falls Rainbow Falls is a 5.6-mile round trip with roughly 1,500 feet of climbing to reach the waterfall.
Charlies Bunion (via the Appalachian Trail) Charlies Bunion is reached along the Appalachian Trail in 8 miles round trip and ends at a rocky outcrop with panoramic views.
Mount LeConte (via Alum Cave) The Alum Cave route to Mount LeConte is 10 miles round trip, with summit views at Cliff Top and Myrtle Point.
Little River Trail Little River Trail follows a former railroad bed for 12.4 miles round trip and passes remains of the old Daisytown settlement.
Parking, Fees, and What to Know Before You Go
Laurel Falls (2.6 mi round trip) was closed for rehabilitation starting January 6, 2025, according to the National Park Service, so it is not listed above. Check the NPS Great Smoky Mountains site for current closures before you drive, since trail and road status can change.
For trails near Bryson City and Deep Creek, see our Bryson City and Deep Creek hub.
Best Season
The National Park Service's trail pages do not tie these routes to a single season, so check conditions on the day you go. Higher-elevation trails such as Kuwohi, Andrews Bald, and Mount LeConte can be colder and wetter than the valley, so bring extra layers and rain gear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the National Park Service rate Smokies trails as easy, moderate, or hard? For the trails on this page, the NPS describes terrain in words such as steep inclines rather than using easy, moderate, and hard categories. That is why this page shows distance and main draw instead of a rating.
What is the shortest hike on this list? Smokemont Nature Trail is a 0.62-mile round trip, and the walk to Kuwohi is 1 mile round trip.
Is Laurel Falls open? The NPS closed Laurel Falls for rehabilitation on January 6, 2025. Check the park's current trail status before planning around it.
Can I swim at Abrams Falls? The National Park Service strongly discourages swimming at Abrams Falls.
Explore Full Write-Ups
Each trail above has its own detailed guide with directions and trip notes.
Browse Every WNC TrailGet the Free WNC Weekend Trail Planner
10 trail ideas, a printable weekend plan, and a packing checklist — sent straight to your inbox.