Smoky Mountain Fall Hiking Recommendations

Albright Grove Loop Trail 

• The Baxter Cabin (one-room historic cabin).


• Historic stone walls.


• Old-growth forest.


• Very large tuliptree standing more than 135 feet.


• Connects to additional trails and paths.

Alum Cave Trail 

• Plentiful rosebay rhododendron.


• The Arch Rock landmark.


• A heath bald that showcases views of Little Duck Hawk Ridge.


• "The Eye of the Needle".


• Stairs cut into the rock ground leading to the "cave".


• The Alum Cave itself. Alum Cave is not really a cave, but a huge concave rock structure that is worth the excursion to see.


• Trail has been renovated and restored in recent years.

Andrews Bald 

• Spruce-fir trees dating back to the Ice Age.


• Access to the Appalachian Trail.


• Famous open grassy meadow where views are at their peak. Often used as a picnic spot.

• Short, easy trail for casual hikers.


• Views of Gatlinburg in Winter months.


• Falls Branch - the first waterfall on the trail.


• Baskins Cemetery.


• The Baskins Creek waterfalls that give the trail its name.

Bullhead Trail 

• A heath-covered bald providing wonderful views of the mountains.


• Views of several rock cliff faces along the trail.


• Two small caves created by overhanging slabs of rock.


• Connection to Mt. Leconte path.

Grapeyard Ridge Trail

• Proximity to the Little Pigeon River.


• Views of enormous mountains Mt. Chapman, Mt. Sequoia and Mt. LeConte.


• Rhododendron Creek.


• Old homestead sites.


• Injun Creek with remains of old steam engine.

Gregory Bald

• Incredible flame azaleas that are found along the path.


• Summit is the bald that gives it its name with many views worth the challenging climb. Cades Cove, Fontana Lake and Thunderhead Mountain are among them.


• Backcountry site with three footbridge crossings required to get there.


•  Blueberry patches that ripen toward the end of August and into early September.

Little River Trail 

• Old gravel railroad bed.


• Proximity to Townsend Wye River.


• Homesteads of vacation cottages that were built in the 1920s.


• Rhododendron patches.


• Huskey Branch Falls cascades.


• Connects to other hiking trails.

Mt. Cammerer 

• Old world hardwood forest.


• Gorgeous wildflower patches.


• Summit overlooks dozens of miles of Appalachia and the Pigeon River Gorge.


• Stone house fire lookout building.


• Trail overlaps with Appalachian Trail and others.

Porters Creek Trail 

• Proximity to Porter's Creek.


• Elbert Cantrell farmstead.


• Historic stone walls.


• Ownby Cemetery.


• John Messer historic farm site.


• Fern Branch Falls waterfalls.

Rich Mountain Loop 

• Proximity to and views of Cades Cove.


• Turkeys may be seen.


• John Oliver cabin.


• Lots of wildflowers expected. Mountain laurel, flame azalea, purple phacelia, violets, rattlesnake hawkweed, yellow ragwort, butterfly weed and more.


• Access to Cerulean Knob, the highest point of Rich Mountain.


• Rich Mountain Fire Tower remains.


• Crooked Arm Falls waterfalls.