Cades Cove

The one of the most popular drives in the park, Cades Cove is also home to two trails, one popular and one off the beaten path.

Gregory Bald

There are two trails to get to the bald. To get there, turn off from the Cades Cove loop onto the two way Forge Creek Road. The first trailhead is at the end of this road. It is the longer and more difficult of the two. To get to the second, continue driving on the one way Parson's Branch Road. Near the bald is back country campsite 13. Trail highlights: Gregory Bald. Trail length: 12 miles or eight miles, elevation gain.

Abrams Falls

This hike, more convenient to the main road and easier in general, is far more popular (as in crowds, not neccesarily crowd-satisfaction). It is five miles round trip and involves moderate elevation gain. The falls themselves are the highest volume waterfall in the park. In the summer the area around the falls can be pretty crowded, though not nearly as much as other hikes like Laurel Falls. To avoid the crowds being the hike earlier in the morning. Trail highlights: Abrams Falls. Trail length: Five miles, moderate elveation gain.

Cosby

Cosby is a quiet campground east of Greenbrier and Gatlinburg, and is a central location for six different day hikes, two of them leaving from the campground and one whose trailhead is nearby. 

Hen Wallow Falls

Four mile trail from Cosby Campground. Crosses over a boulder-laden, mossy mountain stream and winds through thin and thick forest to the tall though narrow falls. Trail highlights: large mountain stream, varying forest types, Hen Wallow Falls. Trail length: 4 miles.

Maddron Bald Trail to Albright Grove

This is one of the best and most secluded virgin forests of the Smokies. The hike begins up an old logging trail. Soon the logging trail ends (thus the old growth forest) but the trail continues on past streams and an old homestead. The grove itself is pretty amazing with yellow poplars, sugar maples, hemlocks, sourwoods, cherry trees, oaks, and yellow buckeyes. One buckeye is over seven feet around, and the cherry trees look like they would have been too big for George Washington to cut down. J Heading east on Hooper highway (321), after passing Yogi’s Camp Ground (15 miles east of Gatlinburg) you’ll see Baxter road. There is a turnoff which can be tricky to find with a small parking lot next to the trail head. If you have trouble finding the turnoff, just ask a Baxter road resident. Trail highlights: one room cabin, old growth forest. Trail lenghth: seven miles, moderate elevation gain.

Mt. Cammerer

This is a hard trail, climbing 3,000 ft, but the view is worth it. The trail begins climbing by a classic, cascading Smoky Mountain stream. The trail continues to climb until finally your work is over when you reach the Appalachian Trail . You continue to walk along the ridge enjoying the views until you reach the fire tower. Trail highlights: Mt Cammerer Fire Tower. Trail Length: 9 miles, 3000 feet elevation gain.