Five Grinding Hikes I'd Like to Take in the Smoky Mountains (But Haven't Yet)
If you haven’t already figured it out from my Facebook Page, I’m not a big outdoors guy, which also means I don’t often hike. If you do see me hiking, it’s usually the most convenient one next to downtown—The Gatlinburg Trail. I’ve done this many times, and I enjoy it because I never feel too alone, and the sounds of the river add a peaceful element contrary to the slightly muffled sounds of cars on Newfound Gap Road. Before I go off track, (or trail) I do have a desire to tackle some of the more challenging trails. These would only be done with my son by my side, so I have a voice of reason if things get too rocky for me. Here are five that I hope to conquer one day.
1. Chimney Tops
Chimney Tops Trail is infamous for being the site where two juveniles set a wildfire near the summit in 2016. But it is still seen as a daunting and rewarding hike, despite the fact the last quarter-mile of the trail is now blocked off from the summit—unsafe due to the fires. This point provides outstanding views of Mt. LeConte and the pinnacles. To a novice like myself, this probably is pretty difficult, but it’s rated moderate, due in large part to its modest 3.3-mile round-trip length. The nearly 1,500 feet of elevation gain is enough to make me breathe harder just thinking about it. This is the most likely tough trail I’d tackle first.
2. Alum Cave Trail
Out of all the hard hikes in the Smoky Mountains, I hear the Alum Cave Trail is actually pretty popular. Like the Chimney Tops Trail, this one is also accessed from the main road through the Smokies—Newfound Gap Road. The elevation gain on this hike is just over 1,100 feet with a round-trip of 4.4 miles, also rated moderately difficult. The first and probably most prominent landmark is Arch Rock. This is where some visitors will turn around and head back, but I’d like to see more views and that is certainly the reward at the end as well. Alum Cave Trail could very well be the one I do before Chimney Tops, but I’m putting it second…for now.
3. Cucumber Gap Loop
Now we’re getting into some longer ones that provide an even stronger deterrent for my liking. The Cucumber Gap Loop is 5.6 miles long and gains a total of 830 feet in elevation—not as air-sucking as the first two—giving it the moderately difficult distinction from the more expert perspective. This is intriguing because I’m familiar with part of this trail, as it begins at the Little River Trailhead, one that I’ve been on a couple of times, believe it or not. I also love the area around Elkmont, which is where the Daisy Town cottages are located. I can definitely see this as a more challenging hike I would take, despite its length.
4. Rainbow Falls Trail
I think many visitors are fooled into thinking this is easier than it is. I’m not sure why this is. Whether it’s a waterfall trail, or that it’s pushed as a must-see natural wonder located off the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail—the largest single-drop waterfall in the Smoky Mountains. But we did our research as tourists, and decided to nix it for easier, shorter ones like Grotto and Laurel Falls. It has a reputation for being rugged; however the park service launched and completed a two-year rehabilitation project from 2017-2019. Rainbow Falls Trail is considered moderately difficult, gaining 1,685 feet and has a round-trip length of 5.6 miles.
5. Mt. LeConte (via Alum Cave, Trillium Gap, Boulevard Trail, Rainbow Falls, or Bullhead)
Any one of these trails offer a strenuous, difficult hike rated by even the established hikers. This is the one most people would love to say they did at least once in their life—a bucket list accomplishment. I would see this in the same light. It’s not something you want to just randomly do if you’re a relative novice like myself. The “easiest” way to reach the summit—as ranked by the experts—is via Alum Cave Trail, which is still a daunting 11 miles. The hardest grind is done via Bullhead Trail that strings out 14 miles with an elevation gain of almost 4,000(!) feet. I’m not one to brag, but this is a trail that would be absolutely amazing to accomplish, and I applaud anyone who has the determination to tackle this triumphant path. The visual rewards are obvious: spectacular views, and the rustic, historic LeConte Lodge.
A huge thanks goes to the Trails Forever crew that works on the difficult task of doing rehabilitation work on these beautiful trails. Their diligence deserves to be acknowledged by all!
That’s my list! Some of you I know are like me, and are a bit skittish about tackling these trails, whether it’s physical or mental, we all have obstacles. I hope to one day write about each one of these hikes when I cross them off my list. I look forward to it! If you want to know more details about these trails, a fantastic site to reference is hikinginthesmokys.com.
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