These hikes and walks are short (5 miles or less) and level, offering a quick escape from the crowds and a moment in nature, without spending the whole day on the trail.

Deep Creek

Located on the North Carolina side of the park about a twenty minute drive away from Cherokee, Deep Creek campground is the beginning of several great long hikes, but also offers the highest wpm (waterfall per mile) trail in the park. In about one mile a hiker can see Juney Whunk, Indian Creek, and Tom Branch falls. Each are as large as other more famous falls like Grotto, Laurel, and Abrams. 

Gatlinburg Trail 

The trail runs from the Sugarland's Visitor Center 1.9 miles to the edge of town on River Road, running parallel to the main park road (the sound of the river that parralells the road drowns out the noise of the cars). The trail meanders along the river, crossing it once on a bridge, and passes right through an old homestead and a cemetery along the way. There are places to play in the water, cascades, and all around thick forest. One part of the trail runs along the maintenance headquarters for the park, but the trail quickly returns to a more natural setting. This is one of the few trails in the park that allows dogs.

Fighting Creek Nature Trail

This one mile interpretive trail network begins at Sugarlands Vistor Center, a beginning stop for many park visitors. About a tenth of a mile down the trail is Cataract Falls. The trail is not paved, but still makes for an easy walk. A guide book can be purchased at the trailhead for a small fee. Trail Highlights: John Ownby Cabin

Laurel Falls

Easily the most famous waterfall in the park, it is also the most crowded. The 2.6 mile round-trip, paved trail is peroused by hundreds of people a day, and the trailhead fills up with cars quickly after about ten A.M. It is has a small uphill grade. If you continue on down the trail past the falls, you can see the upper and lower falls at once. Further down the trail is old growth forest.

Metcalf Bottoms Trail

This 2.2 mile round-trip walk on fairly level, gravel ground takes you from Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area to the Little Greenbrier School. Just across the gravel drive from the Little Greenbrier School parking area, you can continue on to the Walker Sisters Cabin. The trail sign is just past the locked gate. Trail Highlights: Walker Sisters Cabin, Barn, and Springhouse

Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail

This very easy, paved, 0.5-mile loop is the only wheelchair accessible trail in the park. There is a guide booklet available at the trailhead that provides information about the trail, and the Sugarlands area. As the trail winds along the stream, you will see what remains of old Smoky Mountain vacation homes from the early 1900’s.

From Gatlinburg, the trailhead is about ½ mile past Sugarlands Visitor Center on Newfound Gap Road (U.S. Highway 441). The trail and parking area are on the left. 

Porter's Creek Trail to Hiking Club Cabin

This 2-mile roundtrip easy trail, will lead you to some very interesting places. You will be able to explore an old cemetery, visit an old home site, see the remains of an antique Model T, go inside a barn built in the 1800’s, and explore the cabin that was once used by the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club.

To get there, turn onto Hwy. 321 in Gatlinburg at traffic light #3. Follow Hwy. 321 about 6 miles to the Greenbrier entrance of the park on your right. Follow the signs to the Porter’s Creek Trailhead. You will pass a Ranger station and the picnic area before reaching the trailhead. At almost one mile into your hike, when you come to a “Y” in the trail, take a right. A short ways up the trail, you will see the sign that reads “Historic Farm Site – 200 yards.”  

Cosby Nature Trail

This 1-mile loop trail, is fairly level, and easy. A guide booklet located at trailhead provides information on some of the highlights of this trail. As the trail winds back and forth, you will cross streams many times on log footbridges.

To get there, turn onto Hwy. 321 in Gatlinburg at traffic light #3. Follow Hwy. 321 until you come to a stop sign. Turn right. Drive about one mile, and turn right into the Cosby entrance of the park. Follow this road until you see a sign for the Cosby Nature Trail. Parking is at the trailhead.

Balsam Mountain Nature Trail 

Short, two mile hiking trail from Balsam Mountain Camground that gives walkers a closer look at the spruce and hardwood forest that covers the higher elveations.

Mingo Falls

Mingo Falls, at an impressive 120 feet in height, is located just outside the National Park on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. The trail leading to the falls is short at just 0.4 miles in length. However, this trail is considered moderate in difficulty by some, due to the 159 wooden stairs you must climb at the beginning of the trail. Depending on your fitness level, it should only take about 5-10 minutes to reach the falls.

Oconaluftee River Trail

Leaves out of Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

Cove Hardwood Nature Trail

Cove Hardwood Nature Trail is short and surprisingly doesn't have hordes of people on it given that it starts off from Chimneys Picnic Area. It has a few trickle-creeks, big trees (it's one of the top five places in the park for day hiking to old growth), and an interesting pamphlet to read as you walk. (Therefore you have an excuse to stop often.) It is 3/4 of a mile long.