Hiking Near Pigeon Forge: Best Trails for Every Level
Pigeon Forge sits at the northern gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the most visited and most spectacular national parks in the United States. That positioning means hikers of every skill level have access to an extraordinary range of trails within a short drive of the Parkway. Whether you want a flat one-mile waterfall walk with the kids or a strenuous all-day summit push, the Smokies deliver. The national park is free to enter, which makes hiking one of the most cost-effective activities available to Pigeon Forge visitors. The park spans over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from paved accessible paths to remote backcountry routes. Laurel Falls is the most visited waterfall trail in the national park and for good reason. The paved 2.6-mile round-trip trail winds through a lush hardwood forest to a stunning two-tiered waterfall that families with young children complete comfortably. Alum Cave is a step up in difficulty but still very accessible, gaining elevation steadily through a remarkable geological landscape with extraordinary mountain views. For those seeking a full-day challenge, Ramsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall in the national park at 100 feet and requires a strenuous 8-mile round trip through old-growth forest. The payoff is one of the most dramatic natural settings in the entire Appalachian region. Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Smokies at 6,643 feet, is accessible by a short but steep half-mile paved trail from the parking area. The 360-degree views from the observation tower on clear days extend into seven states.
Top Picks
Dollywood
Theme Park- Home to multiple award-winning roller coasters including the Lightning Rod
- Authentic Appalachian craft demonstrations and cultural experiences
- World-class live entertainment and seasonal festivals throughout the year
Anakeesta
Outdoor- Scenic chondola (chairlift + gondola) ride to the mountaintop for stunning panoramas
- Treetop Skywalk with multiple suspension bridges through the forest canopy
- AnaVista Tower offers 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains
Ober Mountain
Outdoor- The only ski resort in the Smokies with slopes for all skill levels in winter
- Aerial tramway from downtown Gatlinburg provides a scenic ride to the summit
- Wildlife Encounter featuring black bears, river otters, and native Appalachian animals
Easy Hikes for Families and Beginners
Laurel Falls is the starting point for most Pigeon Forge area hikers. The 2.6-mile paved round-trip trail to a beautiful two-tiered waterfall is accessible to almost anyone, including families with young children and visitors who do not typically hike. Hen Wallow Falls in the Cosby area is another excellent beginner option, a 4.4-mile round-trip through a quiet section of the park that sees far fewer visitors than the main Gatlinburg corridor. The Cataract Falls trail near the Sugarlands Visitor Center is under a mile round-trip and delivers a lovely wooded waterfall experience in minimal time. For the most gentle option, the Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail is a fully accessible half-mile paved loop near the Sugarlands Visitor Center that introduces the forest ecosystem with interpretive signs.
Moderate Hikes Worth the Effort
Alum Cave is the signature moderate hike in the Smokies, a 4.4-mile round-trip that passes through fascinating geological formations including the Arch Rock, Alum Cave Bluffs, and Eye of the Needle. The steady elevation gain delivers mountain views that increase in scale with every quarter mile. Chimney Tops, recently reopened after trail reconstruction following the 2016 Gatlinburg fire, offers a 4-mile round-trip with a rewarding summit scramble to a rocky pinnacle with panoramic ridge views. Grotto Falls on the Trillium Gap Trail is a 2.6-mile round-trip through a beautiful old hemlock forest to the only waterfall in the park where the trail passes behind the cascade itself.
Challenging Hikes for Experienced Hikers
Ramsey Cascades is the most popular strenuous hike in the national park, an 8-mile round-trip to the tallest waterfall in the Smokies at 100 feet. The trail passes through magnificent old-growth forest with trees several hundred years old and delivers a payoff commensurate with the effort. The Appalachian Trail segment from Newfound Gap to Charlies Bunion covers 8 miles round-trip along the main ridgeline of the Smokies with stunning views in both directions on clear days. Mount LeConte via the Alum Cave Trail is a strenuous full-day 11-mile round-trip to the third-highest peak in the Smokies with a lodge and overnight hut at the summit for those who make reservations well in advance.
Pro Tips
- 1.Download the AllTrails or Gaia GPS app before your trip and save trail maps offline since cell service is limited throughout much of the national park.
- 2.Start any hike before 9 AM in summer to avoid the heat and the peak crowds that descend on popular trailheads from 10 AM onward.
- 3.Black bears are common in the Smokies. Make noise on the trail, do not hike alone, and carry bear spray on longer backcountry hikes.
- 4.Waterproof hiking boots are strongly recommended for most Smoky Mountain trails since stream crossings and wet conditions are common throughout the year.
- 5.The Sugarlands Visitor Center near the Gatlinburg entrance has current trail conditions, restrooms, and helpful rangers who can tailor recommendations to your fitness level.
- 6.Check weather at the higher elevations separately from Pigeon Forge since conditions at 5,000 feet can be dramatically different from the valley floor.