Hi there!
The hikes below on this list will focus on hiking trails that are among the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains that specifically come with great scenic mountain views.
These are some of the absolute best things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
If you want to see amazing mountain views in the Smoky Mountains, this list is for you! (If you are interested in waterfalls, there’s a different list for the best waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains.)
I was in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for 10 days and did a bunch of hiking! These are the hikes you need to know about in the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina!
These are all out-and-back hikes. (You hike back the same path you took to get to your “destination” as opposed to a loop for example.)
I went hiking in the Smoky Mountains in September.
Here are hikes you need to know about!
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1. Clingmans Dome
Clingmans Dome is among the most popular spots in the Smoky Mountains.
This is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains. You’ll hike the Clingmans Dome Trail.
- Starting point: Clingmans Dome trailhead parking is at the end of Clingmans Dome Road (off of Newfound Gap Road)
- Hiking trail: Clingmans Dome Trail
- Hiking distance: 1 mile round trip
This is a relatively short but steep paved trail to the highest point in the Smoky Mountains.
As you are driving on Newfound Gap Road, you’ll see a sign for the turn-off onto Clingmans Dome Road.
Drive to the end of Clingmans Dome Road and you will continue to drive higher and higher, and the road will also lead you to one of the most popular destinations in the Smoky Mountains.
Depending on the weather, you may be above the clouds!
The end of the road is a large parking lot where you will see sweeping views of the Smoky Mountains.
And from the parking lot you’ll see the trail that leads to the Clingmans Dome summit and observation tower.
You can then hike up further to the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
You can see sweeping mountain views all around you from the Clingmans Dome observation tower.
Side note!
Things to buy on Amazon for your adventures!
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- Lightweight quick-dry hiking shorts (comfortable shorts that are good for movement!)
- for women: hiking shorts | for men: hiking shorts
- Lightweight quick-dry hiking pants
- for women: hiking pants | for men: hiking pants
- capris for women
- Some of the best outdoor travel brands:
- When you fly: If you have an iphone, you can put an airtag tracker in your luggage so you can better keep track of it! Buy just one, or buy a pack of 4. (Read the reviews!) This also makes a good travel gift!
👆👆 Mountain views from the end of Clingmans Dome Road, the starting point of the hike to the Clingmans Dome summit.
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See more about this Great Smoky Mountains hike:
- Hike to Clingmans Dome summit observation tower
- Driving the Clingmans Dome Road to the Clingmans Dome parking lot
- Driving from Gatlinburg to Clingmans Dome
2. Alum Cave Bluffs
The hike to the Alum Cave Bluffs is among the most popular hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains.
See unique geological rock formations, Arch Rock and Alum Cave Bluffs.
You’ll hike the Alum Cave Trail.
- Starting point: Alum Cave trailhead parking is off of Newfound Gap Road
- Hiking trail: Alum Cave Trail
- Hiking distance: 4.6 miles round trip
This is one of the most popular hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
You can hike the Alum Cave Trail to see the unique rock formations of Arch Rock and Alum Cave Bluffs. Part of the trail goes right along a creek.
You can hike the Alum Cave Trail to Arch Rock and back, to Alum Cave Bluffs and back, or to the Mount LeConte summit and back (next on the list).
The cave bluffs are a common turnaround point.
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See more about this Great Smoky Mountains hike:
⛰🐻
Top Great Smoky Mountains National Park tours
Read the reviews on partner website Viator!*
- Thundering streams and falls tour (meeting point: Sugarlands visitor center in the national park, 10 minutes from downtown Gatlinburg)
- Full-day Appalachian Trail guided hiking tour (meeting point: Gatlinburg)
Things you might want to pack for your Smoky Mountains road trip
Read the reviews on Amazon! I'm an Amazon Associate.*
- For women: Merrell hiking shoes (one of the best outdoor shoe brands, perfect for hiking in the Smoky Mountains!)
- For men: Merrell hiking shoes
- Rain poncho in case it rains and it won't stop you from doing things outside!
- You will thank yourself for having hiking poles if you're doing any of the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains!
- For women: Teva walking sandals (one of the best sandal brands for the outdoors)
- For men: Teva sandals
- For more ideas, do a search for hiking clothes!
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3. Mt LeConte summit
If you’re looking for THE day hike in the Smoky Mountains to do, the Mt LeConte hike can be it!
This is the 3rd highest point in the Smoky Mountains.
There are many trails that lead to the Mt LeConte summit.
Once in the summit area you’ll want to hike to either Myrtle Point or Cliff Tops… or both!
There is also a lodge where you can stay near the Mt LeConte summit.
If you’re looking for just one day hike in the Smoky Mountains to do, this can be it!
This is said to be the 3rd highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
There are several trails that lead to the Mt LeConte summit, so you can take your pick.
Hiking trails to get to the Mt LeConte summit include:
- Alum Cave Trail (11+ miles round trip and you’ll pass Arch Rock and Alum Cave Bluffs)
- Rainbow Falls Trail (around 14 miles round trip and you’ll pass Rainbow Falls)
- Trillium Gap Trail (around 14 miles round trip and you’ll pass Grotto Falls)
- Appalachian Trail + Boulevard Trail from Newfound Gap (15+ miles round trip)
👆 Rainbow Falls
Once in the Mt LeConte summit area, you can hike the Myrtle Point Trail or the Cliff Tops Trail to get some more amazing views of the Smoky Mountains.
Each of these trails are around a half mile round trip off of the main trail, so it could add on an extra 1-2+ miles of hiking.
👆👆 Myrtle Point
👆 Cliff Tops
Another thing you may consider alongside your Mt LeConte hike is to stay at the LeConte Lodge.
This is located near the summit.
Depending on the weather, you might be sleeping above the clouds!
This is a hike-in hike-out lodge! The only way to get to it is to hike to it! Book sooner rather than later, as it’s in high demand.
They list last-minute cancellations on their twitter account.
The cost of LeConte Lodge rooms per night start at around $175 per person and $350 for 2 people, with dinner and breakfast included.
The 2024 season dates are from March 25 to November 26.
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See more about this Great Smoky Mountains hike:
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4. Charlie’s Bunion
If you’re looking to hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail as a day hike, then this can be it!
- Starting point: Trailhead is off of Newfound Gap Road, at the Newfound Gap overlook
- Hiking trail: Appalachian Trail
- Hiking distance: 8 miles round trip
If you want the experience of hiking on the Appalachian Trail, then one portion of the trail you may consider is the Appalachian Trail to Charlie’s Bunion!
There are many access points for the Appalachian Trail in the Smoky Mountains.
For the Charlie’s Bunion hike, you’ll start from the Newfound Gap overlook where there is a big parking lot along with great views of the Smoky Mountains without even hiking on the trail.
👆 Mountain views from the Newfound Gap parking lot, the starting point of the hike to Charlie’s Bunion.
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5. Chimney Tops overlook
The hike to Chimney Tops is another one of the top hikes that will give you amazing mountain views.
You’ll hike the Chimney Tops Trail.
- Starting point: Trailhead is off of Newfound Gap Road
- Hiking trail: Chimney Tops Trail
- Hiking distance: 3.5 miles round trip
This trailhead is directly on Newfound Gap Road. This is a hiking trail UP to the Chimney Tops overlook. You’ll make some stream crossings by walking across a bridge, and there are some spots where you can get up close and personal with the stream.
It used to be possible to hike all the way to the landmark called Chimney Tops, but because of a wildfire it’s no longer deemed safe to hike all the way there. Instead, the destination is the overlook.
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6. Andrews Bald
The hike to Andrews Bald is one you can do from the Clingmans Dome parking lot.
You’ll hike the Forney Ridge Trail.
- Starting point: Trailhead is at the end of Clingmans Dome Road (off of Newfound Gap Road)
- Hiking trail: Forney Ridge Trail
- Hiking distance: 3.6 miles round trip
After you’ve finished hiking to the Clingmans Dome tower, you can add on another hike that comes with views of the Smoky Mountains.
This hike starts from the Clingmans Dome parking lot.
The trail can be particularly rocky in parts, so it could be helpful to wear shoes with thicker soles. (See more about the best shoes for hiking in the Smoky Mountains!)
Pack a light picnic lunch, and you can eat in an open field with mountain views!
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See more about Andrews Bald hike.
No matter which hiking trails you choose, be sure to see the list of what to pack for hiking in Smoky Mountains!
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Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Appalachian Trail is the famous hiking trail that passes through Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The entire Appalachian Trail is 3,000+ miles long, stretching along the Appalachian mountain range from Georgia to Maine.
The Appalachian Trail goes through 14 states: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Around 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail runs through the Smoky Mountains.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from one end to the other might take 5-7 days, but of course this depends on how many miles you are hiking each day. You can find backcountry campsites along the way. Permit required.
Hiking from the Georgia side, you’ll enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina at around mile marker 164 (near Fontana Dam).
You’ll leave the national park at around mile marker 236 (Davenport Gap).
Much of the Appalachian Trail in the Smoky Mountains weaves along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee.
There are many people who make shorter 2-3 day overnight backpacking trips in the Smoky Mountains hiking the Appalachian Trail.
More info on backcountry camping in the Smoky Mountains.
If you want the chance to hike the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park without a multi-day hike, then you should hike the Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap to Charlie’s Bunion!
Download offline maps before you go!
Phone service as you are driving through the national park can be almost nonexistent. (However, you may be able to make a phone call when you reach the top of the mountain on your hike!)
So it will be helpful to download (free!) offline google maps of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding area before you go to help you navigate your way through the national park to the trailheads.
GPS will generally work throughout the park.
You can expect phone service and data in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and other cities outside of the park.
Fog in the Smoky Mountains! (Weather!)
So, the thing about hiking for the mountain views…
The WEATHER matters! Of course, if it’s completely cloudy… you can’t see anything!
And, just because you started off the hiking trail being able to see blue sky, that doesn’t necessarily mean that up at the top there will be blue sky! (aka it may be nothing but clouds!)
On a couple of occasions, I was 10-15 minutes away from the “destination” of a hike where you could (potentially) see the best mountain views, and there were people on the trail who said the clouds were rolling in but if you wait a few minutes it’ll clear up and you could see views.
But by the time I made it to the top, it was nothing but cloud cover!
So, the weather can change rather quickly in the mountains.
Or at least, there’s enough time (and elevation) for there to be a change in weather from the time (and spot) you started the hike to the time you get to the end point of your hike.
It’s best to always be prepared for rain and weather changes as part of your hiking essentials for the Smoky Mountains!
And, I found the rainy and cloudy days to be the best time to do the waterfall hikes of the Smoky Mountains since your ability to see the waterfalls won’t matter if it’s sunny or cloudy.
And in fact, there is likely to be more water flow (aka better looking waterfalls) after it rains.
So if there’s rain in the forecast during your Smoky Mountains vacation, you may consider waiting on the waterfall hikes until later on in your trip!
Although, if you’re hiking in the rain it’s also important to be cautious as wet trails and strong flowing rivers due to rain could also cause different problems so you may consider that risk.
Camping in the Smoky Mountains
Aside from the backcountry camping, there is also “frontcountry camping” in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is the traditional type of camping where you can drive to your campsite.
There are 3 popular campgrounds in the Smoky Mountains:
There are toilets at each of these campgrounds with “modern” bathroom facilities (flush toilets and sinks with cold water). But campsites don’t have electricity, and there are NO showers anywhere within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Aside from the 3 mentioned campgrounds, there are also smaller campgrounds scattered throughout the national park that are in slightly more isolated areas of the park if you are looking for a quieter experience, like the Cosby Campground.
These smaller campgrounds also tend to be a bit further away from the most popular attractions in the Smoky Mountains. In total, there are 10 campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
As you are planning your camping trip, be sure to take into consideration the elevation of your campground which among other things can affect night time temperatures that you’ll want to be prepared for.
Smoky Mountains campground elevation is generally from 1,500 to 2,500 ft, with one campground (Balsam Mountain) at 5,310 ft.
See more about planning a Smoky Mountains camping trip.
Be sure to also see:
- What to pack for hiking in the Smoky Mountains
- The list of waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains
- Driving from Gatlinburg to Clingmans Dome
- Driving from Gatlinburg to Cades Cove
- Planning a camping trip in the Smoky Mountains
- The big list of things to do in the Smoky Mountains
HAPPY HIKING IN GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK!
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👆👆 The hike to Charlies Bunion is one of the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains!
👆 The Mount LeConte hike is one of the absolute best hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! If are going to do just ONE solid day hike in the Smoky Mountains, the Alum Cave Trail to the Mount LeConte summit is the hiking trail to do!
👆 The Forney Ridge Trail is one of the best hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains!
👆 You will get some of the best views in the Smoky Mountains at the start of the Clingmans Dome Trail!
Here are more ideas for a few days in the Smoky Mountains!
More of the best things that the Smoky Mountains is known for is hiking!If you're looking for just one solid day hike in the Smoky Mountains, there's the Mount LeConte hike. Most often this is done as a day hike, but you can also stay overnight near the Mount LeConte summit! There is the LeConte Lodge, which claims to be the highest guest lodge in the eastern part of the United States! (It does book up!)
There are also lots more hikes that come with mountain views. See more about some of the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains.
There are also a lot of hikes to waterfalls. See more about the best waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains.
You can also go camping in the mountains. See more about the best campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. (No showers in the national park, though!)
Cost to go to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There is no national park entry fee for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but as of 2023, there is a parking fee.You'll need a parking pass when you go to the Smoky Mountains.
You can wait until you arrive to buy the parking pass, or you can buy it online before you go at recreation.gov.
Depending on how many days you will be in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the cost of parking will be $5 or $15 per vehicle.
Plan out your time in the Smoky Mountains!
Some of the best known things in Great Smoky Mountains National Park include Clingmans Dome, Cades Cove, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail!For Clingmans Dome, you can get great views from the parking lot, or you can hike up to the highest point in the Smoky Mountains! (No matter what, you do need weather on your side, though! For me, 3rd time was the charm at Clingmans Dome!) See more about Clingmans Dome.
For Cades Cove, it's all about the slow-going Cades Cove Loop Road! You can drive it, bike it, or walk it! You can make stops to walk inside historic cabins, see a historic mill, and even do a waterfall hike! See more about Cades Cove.
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is also a slow-going road that you drive and make stops along the way, including quiet stops along a creek or waterfalls hikes. See more about the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
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