Gatlinburg Trail - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Gatlinburg Trail is a 1.9 mile route from Sugarlands Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the edge of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This is one of only two trails in the Smokies that allow bicycles and dogs. The other trail is the Oconoluftee River Trail that I wrote about here. The trailhead is between the visitor center and the restrooms at Sugarlands. It begins as a concrete sidewalk to the park headquarters, but after crossing Park Headquarters Road becomes a gravel path beside the road as it follows the West Prong Little Pigeon River to the maintenance base. There is no sidewalk or trail as the road crosses Fighting Creek, so extra caution is advised when walking on the roadway. Once past the maintenance base, the trail continues to follow the river with several social paths down to the water. The trail climbs a small hill where traces of former homesteads still exist before descending and crossing the river on a substantial bridge. Once across the bridge, the trail is sandwiched between US 441 and the river. If you are looking for a quiet walk, this isn't it. However, if you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Gatlinburg, this might be just the ticket. We hiked the trail both directions in April 2015.

Catawba rhododendron in bloom

Park Headquarters

Trail beside Park Headquarters Road

Cemetery on Park Headquarters Road

Fighting Creek

West Prong Little Pigeon River

Dogwood tree in bloom

West Prong Little Pigeon River

Park Service maintenance base at the end of Park Headquarters Road

Gravel trail along the edge of the maintenance base

Dogwood blooming beside West Prong Little Pigeon River

Twomile Branch flows into the West Prong Little Pigeon River

Trail surface in the woods

Foundation steps

Fireplace

Chimney

Bridge over West Prong Little Pigeon River

Looking upstream from the bridge

Looking downstream from the bridge

Looking back at the bridge

Typical trail surface after crossing the bridge heading toward Gatlinburg

The only bench along the trail

The river broadens and slows in this flatter area of the park

A small island splits the river

Entry to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free.

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm.