Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald was rehabilitated by Trails Forever between 2008 and 2011. The much improved trail leads 1.8 miles from the Clingmans Dome parking area down to the bald. I had the opportunity to hike the trail again in June 2016 to view the Catawba Rhododendron and Flame Azalea in bloom.
One change in the trail that I noticed is that hikers have created paths around many of the timber steps on the second half of the hike. While I don't know a single hiker that likes timber or stone steps, the trail builders utilize these structures to construct a durable trail that should provide hiking opportunities for decades. Bypassing the steps leads to increased erosion and leaves the trail in worse shape, ultimately requiring additional resources and hard work to repair the trail for future hikers. Please stay on the trail when hiking in the park.
A USGS benchmark near the trailhead denotes the elevation at 6311 feet above sea level. The trail descends rapidly for about a mile to an elevation of about 5750 feet before climbing nearly to the forested top of Andrews Bald at about 5900 feet. It then descends to the large grassy meadow south of the summit. While you likely won't find solitude on this hike, it is a great hike to get away from the crowds of tourists at Clingmans Dome. I did have the bald to myself for about 10 minutes after one group of hikers left and before another arrived. With the entire trail over a mile high, it is also cool enough to hike in mid-summer. I've also written about this hike in late fall here.
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| Topographic map with GPS route |
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| Elevation profile |
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| Locust timbers frame gravel filled steps |
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| Turn left at this trail junction to head to the bald |
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| Stepping stones |
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| A rocky descent |
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| Finally, a foot path |
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| View west from the trail |
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| More timber steps and a waterbar |
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| The first of a series of elevated boardwalks |
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| Second boardwalk, note the trampled paths on both sides |
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| Third boardwalk |
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| Trail junction marks the end of the descent |
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| The second portion of the trail is shaded |
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| Social trail bypasses the steps |
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| Another bypass |
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| Fourth boardwalk |
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| The forest thins out near the bald |
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| Catawba Rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense) |
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| Catawba Rhododendron blossoms |
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| Andrews Bald |
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| More Catawba Rhododendron |
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| View southwest |
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| More Catawba Rhododendron |
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| Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) blossoms |
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| Closeup of Flame Azalea blossoms |
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| Another view of the Smoky Mountains |
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| Fontana Lake |
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| Rhododendron and distant vistas |
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| Jerry Bald Ridge |
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| Ridges fade away |
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| More blossoms |
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| Ridges seemingly forever |
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| Thunderstorm clouds forming, time to go |
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| A last view from the trail |
Entry to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free.
The park website is https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm. The trail webpage is https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/chimneys-alternative-andrews-bald.htm.
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