Hike to the Ramsey Cascades

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

4.9/5

based on 10 reviews

Save

View all 19 photos

All 19 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

7.83 miles

Elevation Gain

2190 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Joshua Contois

Hike to Ramsey Cascades, one of the tallest waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (100 ft) on a challenging trail through an old-growth forest.

This multi-tiered waterfall is known as the tallest in the park – a worthwhile reward for the steep and sometimes tricky terrain you'll face on the way up.

The popular route to the falls also passes through an impressive old-growth forest, which apparently boasts some of the tallest trees in the park. You will also see smaller waterfalls and pools along the way.

Keep in mind that about 2 miles into the hike you will need to pass over a fairly long, narrow footbridge. Also please remember that climbing is prohibited on the rocks around the falls.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Download GPX File

Features

Hiking

Forest

Scenic

Waterfall

Hike to the Ramsey Cascades Reviews

Ashley Grier

Hike to the Ramsey Cascades

08/07/18

This hike was amazing. It was difficult for my family but considering it was only our second hike we did very well. We made an entire day of it and did not get into a hurry. Packed a lunch to enjoy at the top. We refilled our water bottles along the way as so not carry so much weight. Our family was kids ages 8, 10, 11, 12. GrandParents ages 67/68, and I’m 35! We went in around 10:45 and finished up a little after 6pm. According to my Garmin Forerunner we hiked a total of 9.73 miles. So it’s a little longer than 4 miles to the top. Enjoyed it!

5.0

Jacqui O Bree

Hike to the Ramsey Cascades

06/02/18

A challenging but beautiful hike to the falls. You follow a gushing stream along the way and a bit of a scramble near the falls. Every step is worth it!

5.0

Anthony Previte

Hike to the Ramsey Cascades

04/30/17

Getting to the trailhead can be tricky for anyone with a sports car, as the road that leads through the park is gravel and bumpy at points. Be prepared for single car width portions of the road. The hike begins with a gradual incline which may fool some into believing that this is an easy hike, psyche!The last half mile is killer, be prepared for a lot of stone steps. This is definitely a hike where you want to wear high ankles boots. I recommend bringing aqua socks, because at the top you can walk right up to the falls, since it plateaus directly underneath. The hike totaled 8.2 miles on my Fitbit Surge. The difficulty of the hike is only surpassed by the reward of the falls.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Fern Branch Falls

Take Porters Creek Trail, a gravel road alongside Porters Creek. You will pass by an old farmstead and cemetery, as well as lots of wildflowers if you're out during the spring. In a mile, keep left, then in another half mile or so you should cross over a small (and somewhat harrowing) footbridge. The 40-ft tall Fern Branch Falls is less crowded than other falls in the park, and has open access...

Grotto Falls Trail

This is an intermediate hike along Trillium Gap Trail. There are four stream crossings on your way to the falls as you hike through an idyll, often wildflower-sprinkled landscape. Late spring is best for catching blooms. Once at the waterfall, you can walk behind the cascade of water. This is a popular hike, so be sure to arrive early. In the winter, you will need to access this hike via the R...

Maddron Bald - Albright Grove Loop

Hidden in the eastern reaches of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cosby region receives a fraction of the visitation of Gatlinburg or Cherokee. This section of the park preserves some of the best deciduous old-growth forest in the eastern United States. Individual tulip trees and eastern hemlocks reach monstrous proportions in these secluded mountain watersheds. Beginning at the gate, ...

Photograph the Smokies from Morton Overlook

The Morton Overlook is one of the Great Smoky Mountains National Parks most well known and visited overlooks. Morton offers a wide view of the Great Smoky Mountains and is a perfect spot for some really good photography opportunities. Coming from Gatlinburg, TN it is roughly 13 miles from the visitors center along 441 towards Cherokee, NC. Sunset is the best time of the day for color in the ski...

Camp out at Mt. LeConte Lodge via Alum Cave

At the summit of Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the lodge sits at a elevation of 6400 feet. It is the only "accommodations" inside the park boundaries. It is the highest lodge in the eastern United States. Accessible only by hiking one of the five trails to the summit, one can rent a small cabin with bunk, kerosene lantern, and a small propane heater. Bedding is prov...

Hike to Mt. LeConte via Alum Cave Bluff

The Alum Cave trailhead is on Newfound Gap Road, 8 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Mt. LeConte is the third highest peak in the Smokies, and this is an extremely popular hike, so arrive early to get a parking spot and beat the crowds. Starting from the parking lot the trail gently winds beside Alum Cave Creek for just over a mile before reaching Arch Rock, where hikers will climb a s...

Hike to the Ramsey Cascades

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Hike to the Ramsey Cascades Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Fern Branch Falls

Grotto Falls Trail

Maddron Bald - Albright Grove Loop

Photograph the Smokies from Morton Overlook

Camp out at Mt. LeConte Lodge via Alum Cave

Hike to Mt. LeConte via Alum Cave Bluff

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps