Hi there!
The hike to Andrews Bald is 1.8 miles long, so it’s around 3.6 miles round trip.
The Andrews Bald trailhead is near the Clingmans Dome parking lot.
You will look for signs to Forney Ridge Trail to get to Andrews Bald.
There are many hiking trails within Great Smoky Mountains National Park in which you can hike with the goal of reaching a scenic viewpoint.
And the hike to Andrews Bald is one of those hikes in the Smoky Mountains that comes with scenic mountain views!
This hike starts off with scenic views at the trailhead, and then ends with more scenic views at your “destination” which is an open field!
I did the hike to Andrews Bald in September. What the weather will be like from year to year can vary (which means the colors can vary!), but this is what it was like for me!
More pictures from the hiking trail below, but first…
Basics about the trail to Andrews Bald
When hiking to Andrews Bald as a day hike, you’ll take the Forney Ridge Trail to get to Andrews Bald.
You’ll start at the Clingmans Dome trailhead parking lot.
The distance of this hiking trail is 1.8 miles to get to Andrews Bald, so it’s around 3.6 miles round trip.
It’s noted that there’s 1,200 feet in elevation change.
It’s recommended to give yourself 2-3 hours to complete the hike to Andrews Bald and back.
How much time you spend on the trail can depend on your fitness level, how many stops you make, and how long you spend at the Andrews Bald field!
Pack a light picnic lunch and you can eat with views of the Smoky Mountains in a peaceful setting!
You will also likely want to add in time to go to Clingmans Dome. (A bit more on this below.)
Your destination for google maps can be the Clingmans Dome trailhead, Clingmans Dome parking area, or Clingmans Dome Visitor Center.
If you’re coming from Gatlinburg, the drive to the parking lot is around 50 minutes, with no traffic.
You’ll likely want to allow some extra time, for traffic, for parking, and because you might want to make some stops along the way!
Hiking from Clingmans Dome to Andrews Bald
Clingmans Dome is one of the most popular spots in the national park.
If you hike to the Clingmans Dome summit, you’ll be at the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is also said to be the highest point along the Appalachian Trail.
So while you’re in the area, you’ll probably want to hike to the Clingmans Dome summit too! There is an observation tower here that sits atop the Clingmans Dome mountaintop.
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This is a separate trail from the trail to Andrews Bald. You’ll take the Clingmans Dome trail, and it’s a steep half mile paved trail to reach the top.
Once you are at the Clingmans Dome summit, to get to Forney Ridge Trail (the trail to Andrews Bald), you can head back to the parking lot. Or, if you are eager to get on the trail in a forest, you can look for signs to the Appalachian Trail near the Clingmans Dome summit. The Appalachian Trail connects to the Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail, which then connects to Forney Ridge Trail.
The way to the Appalachian Trail
Likewise, if you’d rather hike in a forest on a dirt hiking trail, rather than a paved trail, then you can take the Clingmans Dome bypass Trail to get to Clingmans Dome too!
The intersection of Forney Ridge Trail and Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail.
Clingman’s Dome Bypass Trail to Appalachian Trail, 0.5 miles away.
See the Clingsman Dome map below for further understanding!
Andrews Bald weather
I have been to Clingmans Dome when there’s complete cloud cover.
Personally, I do not think the hike to Andrews Bald is worth it if it’s completely cloudy and you can’t see any mountains when at the Clingmans Dome parking lot. This likely means that it will be cloudy when you get to Andrews Bald too. Although, if you’re looking for a quiet open space in the Smoky Mountains, it could be worth it!
Also, you’ll want to keep in mind that the Clingmans Dome parking lot and Andrews Bald are at a higher elevation. This means that temperatures may be cooler than you expect!
When I went in late September late morning (11am), the temperature at the Clingmans Dome parking area was in the mid-40s and I felt like I was preparing for a winter hike as I was getting ready to go to Andrews Bald!
But it also does warm up (relatively speaking) so layers of clothing are key! Depending on the time of year you’re hiking, you may want to bring an extra long sleeve shirt, light jacket, and/or sweatshirt.
And speaking of time of year…
You can’t hike to Andrews Bald from Clingmans Dome in winter
The road to the Clingman’s Dome parking area is closed in December, January, February, and March. This means that you can’t drive up there during this time, and you can’t start the hike to Andrews Bald from here.
If you’re visiting the Smoky Mountains in winter or early spring, it would be a good idea to check for any special winter alerts provided by the National Park Service before you go to. There is also a twitter account you can check for road closures.
No dogs on the trail to Andrews Bald
In general, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not a pet-friendly park when it comes to hiking trails. Pets are not allowed on the vast majority of hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains, and that includes the Forney Ridge Trail that takes you to Andrews Bald.
Bears
You will see a “bear-proof” heavy duty trash container at the trailhead parking lot, and all over the national park.
“A fed bear is a dead bear.” If bears start to recognize human food as bear food, they can become a serious threat to humans – to you! If that happens, a bear may have to be put to rest for good. This is why it’s said to be important that everyone does their part to pick up after themselves.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is bear country!
Toilets at Andrews Bald trailhead
There are basic toilet facilities (no-flush) at the parking lot. It seemed like there was always a long line.
Driving to the Andrews Bald trailhead (and parking)
So again, your destination for google maps can be the Clingmans Dome trailhead. This will take you on the popular scenic Newfound Gap Road. (See things do to on your way to Clingmans Dome if you’re coming from Gatlinburg.)
Once you get near, there will be a sign for Clingmans Dome. Then you’ll take the road to drive up (and it will be UP) around 7 miles to the parking area.
The parking lot is at the very end of this road.
Clingmans Dome is one of the most popular activities of the Smoky Mountains, so there’s a good chance there will be lots of cars. If the parking lot is full, you’ll start looking for parking spots on gravel off the side of the road. This may be another thing to add in extra time for, as you might have to walk a little bit extra just to get to the trailhead.
If the weather’s clear, you can get grand views of the Smoky Mountains directly from the parking lot without hiking at all!
⛰🐻
And now…
PHOTOS for a little bit of what to expect when hiking to Andrews Bald!
I hiked to Andrews Bald in late September 2020. Pictures are from that time. I hiked directly from the parking lot. (And not from the side trail near Clingmans Dome summit.)
From the Clingmans Dome parking lot, you’ll see a paved trail. This is the trail to the Clingmans Dome summit. Right at the start of this paved trail off to the left is a dirt trail. That’s the Andrews Bald trailhead.
Forney Ridge Trail to Forney Creek Trail, 1.1 miles away.
Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald, 1.8 miles away.
And then shortly you’ll come across the intersection where the trail meets the Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail. You can continue to follow the Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald!
Forney Ridge Trail to Forney Creek Trail, 1.0 mile away.
Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald, 1.7 miles away.
Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald, 0.7 miles away.
Forney Ridge Trail to Clingmans Dome parking, 1.1 miles away.
Forney Ridge Trail to Springhouse Branch Trail, 4.6 miles away.
Forney Creek Trail to backcountry campsite #68, 2.0 miles away.
Forney Creek Trail to Jonas Creek Trail, 6.1 miles away.
Forney Creek Trail to Lakeshore Trail, 9.8 miles away.
So you’ll continue hiking on the Forney Ridge Trail, and soon you will come across a clearing. You’ll take the last part on a wooden path to reach the open field of Andrews Bald!
And you’ve made it to the open field of Andrews Bald with grand scenic views in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
And then after you’ve spent some time resting and taking in the Smoky Mountains views, you can head back to the Clingmans Dome parking lot!
How much time do you need for both the Clingmans Dome Trail and the Andrews Bald hike?
I mentioned that I was first at the parking area around 11am. From there, I hiked to the Clingmans Dome summit and then returned back to the parking lot. (Bathroom break!) I started hiking to Andrews Bald around 12:15pm. I finished up and was driving back down the mountain around 2:30pm. So from the time I got to the parking area to the time I left, I ended up spending around 3.5 hours in the area.
Take your time and enjoy the views!!
And that’s a bit of what it’s like on the hike to Andrews Bald!
See more of the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains that come with mountain views!
And the big list of things to do in the Smoky Mountains.
HAPPY HIKING TO SEE THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS FROM ANDREWS BALD!
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