After doing this famous trail many times, I have some tips for hiking the Gatlinburg Trail in The Great Smoky Mountains. There are a few things to note before you embark on this trail, but truly, this is one of the most relaxing hikes I’ve done in the Smokies. So lace up your hiking boots and even bring along your faithful four-legged friends, because this is one of the best family-friendly hikes in Gatlinburg!
The first thing to know before you go is to find the trailhead that is right for you. There are multiple entry points to this hike so you can make this trail as long or as short as you would like.
If you are staying in Gatlinburg it is a very walkable town, so simply follow the sidewalk into the national park and start the trail. You can also park right near the entrance or alongside the road in Gatlinburg on a few pullouts if you need a spot. The trail will follow the Little Pigeon River all the way to the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
Right behind the visitor center is another great starting point for the hike. This is the best place to find a parking spot and one of the biggest parking areas in the park. If you start the trail there, the hike will take you right alongside the road so we opted for one more hidden trailhead. If you leave the visitor center and head towards Gatlinburg then take your first left to find the utility vehicle area of the park. It will look like an employees-only place but you can park on the right where you will be facing the mighty river.
One of the reasons why I love this trail so much is because it is one of the only places where you can hike with your dog in the Smokies. If you are looking for another spot to hike you will have to go to the North Carolina side with a similar trail called the Oconaluftee River Trail.
This is a very easy hike in Gatlinburg with a big, wide, flat path following the river. The trail is popular so you will likely see people strolling along the trail and many of them will have their doggies with them. We have even seen a cat on the trail!
My favorite part of the trail is a section right before the hill heading towards downtown Gatlinburg. Step off the path walk along the rocks and listen to the peaceful sound of the river.
Up the hill from there, you will find remnants of old structures right along the trail. These historical homes are sprinkled throughout the Smokies as echoes of the past. It reminds me of other places in the Smokies like the ghost town of Elkmont or the earliest settlers in Cades Cove.
A little beyond the halfway mark you will cross a beautiful bridge. This is a spot we have stopped at before to marvel at the flowing water, the quiet scenery, and the lovely surroundings in the park.
The last time we visited we just stayed by the rocks. Our girls tried to skip stones in the water, my wife took some pictures, and my dog sniffed all the new smells. It was a peaceful end to our trip and I just stood soaking in the beauty of the mountains, desiring to hold on to the scenery for just a moment longer before we had to leave and head back home.
Hopefully, these were some helpful Tips for hiking the Gatlinburg Trail. As previously stated we have done this trial many times and will continue to come back again and again. I would encourage anyone to get out and enjoy this trail, it is accessible, peaceful, and family-friendly. Keep in mind this is one of the only trails you can bring your dog with you too so that is always helpful as I travel with my puppy. If you wanna see our journey on this trail just out our Adventuring in the Moment video:
I will leave you with one more tip for your traveling adventures. Make sure to get the AllTrails+ app I use it on every hike I do and is helpful for navigating the trails.
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