Photo courtesy of Richard Weisser

Walking and hiking are favorite ways for many people to see Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Much of the interest and mood present in the park depends on finding subtle variations in nature not seen from automobiles. For example, wildflowers, cascading streams, the scent of evergreens, and the sounds of birds are best seen and experienced away from roads. For this reason, the National Park Service maintains 800 miles of trails here.

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• Abrams Falls Trail (five miles round trip) is an easy, relatively flat trail leading to the 20-foot high Abrams Falls which spills into a scenic pool. The trail begins at the Abrams Falls parking lot at the west end of Cades Cove Loop Road. Elevation gain is 340 feet.

• Alum Cave Bluffs Trail (11 miles round trip) starts off easy but become difficult. An initial one-and-a-half-mile trail takes you through Arch Rock's erosion-created tunnel. the next 0.8 mile is steeper and leads to Alum Cave Bluff which is a 100-foot high cliff. This last half of the trail is steep and, at times, hikers must grip trailside cables to traverse cliffs. The trail begins at the Alum Cav Bluffs parking area at Newfound Gap Road between Newfound Gap and Chimney Tops on the Tennessee side of the Smoky Mountains. elevation gain is 2,800 feet.

• The Appalachian Trail (2,100 miles) was proposed by conservationist Benton MacKaye in 1921. Work on the trail began the following year and by 1937, the trail was complete. The first person walked its entire length from Georgia to Maine in 1948. Every year, some 100 hikers repeat the feat. Successful hikers include a six-year-old boy, several octogenarians, and a visually impaired man with his guide dog (Blind Courage). The entire trip takes four to six months, crossing 14 states, eight national forests, two national parks and 15 major rivers. Elevations range from 6,643 feet at Clingsmans Dome in the Smokies to near sea level at the Hudson River in New York. the segment within the park follows the Smokies ridgeline 69 miles for nearly the entire length of the park. You can access the trail at Newfound Gap to Charlies Bunion, which passes through a spruce fir forest with spectacular vistas. The eight mile round trip walk has an elevation gain of 980 feet.

• Boulevard Trail (16 miles round trip) is the easiest of the five trails to Mount LeConte's summit. However, many people still consider it strenuous. Take the Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap to Boulevard Trail. Elevation gain is 1,545 feet.

• Chimney Tops Trail (4 miles round trip) This is a somewhat strenuous trail that winds through virgin forest to the Chimney tops pinnacles. It starts at the Chimney tops trailhead, located on Newfound Gap Road. Elevation gain is 1,335 feet.

• Hen Wallow Falls Trail (4 miles round trip) is a moderate trail that makes a good, short day hike. The main trail leads to the top pof the falls; a steep, narrow side trail leads to the bottom. The trailhead is before the picnic area on the road to Cosby Campground. Elevation gain is 520 feet.

• Indian Creek Falls Trail (2 miles round trip) is a flat trail that offers an easy walk to picturesque Indian Creek Falls which cascades 60 feet down a series of ledges into a wide pool. The trailhead is at the end of Deep Creek Road just past the Deep Creek Campground. Elevation gain is 100 feet.


• Laurel Falls Trail (2.5 miles round trip) is the most popular waterfall trail in the park. The paved road is relatively flat and passes through a forest of pine and oak trees. The trailhead is located at the Laurel Falls parking area on Little River Road just a few miles past Sugarlands Visitor Center. Elevation gain is 200 feet.

• Ramsay Cascades Trail (8 miles round trip) is a strenuous hike leading to the park's highest waterfall. It passes through an old growth deciduous forest before reaching the 100-foot high Ramsay Cascades. Do not attempt to climb to the top of the falls; several attempts have resulted in fatalities. From Greenbrier, follow signs to the Ramsay Cascades trailhead. Elevation gain is 2,375 feet.

• Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail (3,000 foot loop) is a paved trail built in 1993 to accommodate visitors with disabilities. The level trail leads to distinct forest life zones, a river and the remains of pre-park dwellings. Special communications media assist in interpreting nature and is available at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The trail is a favorite with visitors with mobility and sensory impairments as well as with older visitors and families with children in strollers. The trailhead is located off Newfound Gap Road, one fourth mile south of Sugarlands Visitor Center.