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  • Great Smoky Mountains
  • Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

    Top Spots in and near Great Smoky Mountains

    • Bryson City, North Carolina

      Hike the Juney Whank Falls Loop

      4.0
      0.65 mi / 150 ft gain
      Starting at the Deep Creek Trailhead, take a short walk until the trail meets up with Juney Whank Falls Trail. From here, hang a left and head onto the Juney Whank Falls Trail. Once you've reached the falls, continue the loop to get back to the trailhead.  The falls are said to be named after Mr...
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    • Bryson City, North Carolina

      Deep Creek Loop

      5.0
      5.01 mi / 892 ft gain
      After parking in the Deep Creek Campground parking lot follow the signs for the Deep Creek Trailhead. The Tom Branch waterfall is just .3 miles on the right side. Hike another .5 miles, at the next intersection stay right, and you will approach Indian Creek Falls. After viewing the falls you ca...
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    • Bryson City, North Carolina

      Tom Branch and Indian Creek Falls

      4.5
      1.76 mi
      From the Deep Creek Trailhead, you can hike to both waterfalls heading up the Deep Creek Trail. You will come across Tom Branch Falls quickly, after 0.2 miles. Once you've had your fill of Tom Branch, head further along the Deep Creek Trail for another 0.5 miles. Turn right on the Indian Creek Tr...
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    • Bryson City, North Carolina

      Hike Three Waterfalls Loop

      5.0
      2.4 mi / 450 ft gain
      Start the loop by hiking the Juney Whank Falls Trail to Juney Whank Falls. The footbridge across the creek makes an excellent place to rest and take in the falls. Follow the trail across the bridge and up the bank. After about 300 feet take a right and follow Deep Creek Horse Trail towards Deep C...
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    • Townsend, Tennessee

      Spruce Flats Falls

      4.8
      1.64 mi / 495 ft gain
      To get to Spruce Flats Falls, you will want to drive down 2.2 miles down the scenic Tremont Road to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute and park in the visitor center parking area. You will then want to ascend up the gravel road past the sign that says restricted to unrestricted traffic (meaning ...
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    • Bryson City, North Carolina

      Hike to Lonesome Pine Overlook

      5.0
      7 mi / 2300 ft gain
      To start the hike to Lonesome Pine Overlook begin from the Noland Divide Trailhead in Deep Creek. The trail is a steady climb with an average gain of 700 ft. every mile. Approaching the top you'll walk along a rocky ridge line where you are able to see the overlook. As you continue, be sure to lo...
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    • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

      Hike to the Ramsey Cascades

      4.9
      7.83 mi / 2190 ft gain
      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...
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    • Bryson City, North Carolina

      Explore Old 288 and the Lands Creek Bridge

      2.5
      1 mi
      NC 288 was constructed in the 1920's, but did not last long with the construction of the Fontana Dam as the resulting lake covered the highway. The U.S. government entered an agreement in which they would provide a replacement road, but to this day it has not been completed and is know by locals ...
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    • Cherokee, North Carolina

      Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway from the Southern Terminus

      5.0
      The pinpoint for this particular entrance starts just outside of Cherokee, North Carolina, following the Parkway North. They say the Blue Ridge Parkway is more than just a road, it's a beautiful journey. Start this journey and you will quickly find this to be true. This 469 mile gateway connects...
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    • Cherokee, North Carolina

      Mingo Falls

      4.2
      0.22 mi / 148 ft gain
      Although it is not much of a hike at just 0.3 miles, it is accessible to people of all fitness levels.  A climb up a series of stairs leads you to a trail overlooking Mingo creek.  You will then find a 20 foot wide bridge which serves as the viewing platform of the falls.   If you care to advent...
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    • Townsend, Tennessee

      Backpack to Spence Field

      13.8 mi / 3100 ft gain
      Start your hike at Anthony Creek Trailhead (elevation 1,800 ft), in the Cade’s Cove area. The trailhead is located at the far end of the day-use picnic area near Cade’s Cove campground. There are a few parking spots right at the trailhead, but note that the picnic area closes at dusk (a gate clos...
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    • 35.604955,-83.770373

      Hike to Rocky Top

      5.0
      12.8 mi / 3500 ft gain
      Rocky Top is known to be the spot that inspired the famous fight song of the University of Tennessee, which is also an official song for the state of Tennessee.  The trailhead for this hike begins in the Cade’s Cove picnic area parking lot towards the back side. There are a few parking spots ri...
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    • Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 506, North Carolina

      Barrett Knob Fire Tower

      5.0
      1.21 mi / 400 ft gain
      Your hike will start at the base of the Blue Ridge Parkway just a few miles from the start in Cherokee. The trail starts right off of the parkway in a very small easy to miss dirt road. There is a small area to park that then you start your hike up the dirt road right after the gate. The hike to ...
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    • Cosby, Tennessee

      Maddron Bald - Albright Grove Loop

      6.72 mi / 1500 ft gain
      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 ...
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    • Townsend, Tennessee

      Bike Cade's Cove Loop

      4.7
      10.5 mi
      Cade's Cove is a valley located smack in the middle of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Feel free to drive the 11 mile loop in the day, but if you're really cool, you'll schedule your trip around a full moon so you can bike under the light of night! Allow yourself a few hours to explore a...
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    • Townsend, Tennessee

      Gregory Bald via Gregory Ridge Trail

      5.0
      11.3 mi / 3020 ft gain
      The Gregory Bald summit is indisputably picturesque – the 10-acre meadow at the top hosts magnificent azalea blooms in June, wild blueberries in August, and views of Cades Cove, Rich Mountain, Fontana Lake, Thunderhead Mountain, and Clingmans Dome, year-round. Start this hike at the Gregory Ridg...
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