Featuring more traces of the old Appalachian community than anywhere else in the park, you’ll see chimneys, rock walls, remnants of old structures, and beautiful flora stretched across the entire trail’s length.  Makes for a challenging two-day backpacking journey when linked with the Maddron Bald Trail.

Trail Length: 15.8 miles. Some hills, some stream crossings. Historic rewards around every corner.

How to Get There: Take US 3215.9 miles East of Gatlinburg.  Turn onto Greenbriar Road at Park entrance sign, go past the ranger station. Turn at road leading across the bridge to Ramsey Cascades trailhead, cross two bridges, and the Old Settlers trailhead is on the left.

A portion of impressive rock wall, about ten miles into the trail.

Historic rewards around every corner. Warm your hands but leave no trace!

1. Includes a full-color official Park Service trail map of the entire park!
   

2. Detailed rules and everything you need to know for day and overnight adventures,
   

3. Suggested loop hikes, great introductions to
   

4. 584 pages.
   

5. Weighs only 11 ounces, made small and light for tucking away.
   

6. Make a statement and help the park - proceeds are invested back to fund Park Service projects.

Aside from the water you drink and the fresh air you breathe, this trail guide is the next most essential tool for enjoying the Smokies.  Compiled by over a dozen area experts, it contains not only the most accurate topographical measurements available anywhere to date but also the treasured stories behind the trails. Hiking Trails of the Smokies is therefore the perfect companion for spending time on the 800+ miles of trails in our National Park.

Far and above the most definitive guide to the trails of America’s most-visited National Park with detailed descriptions of each of the Park’s 150 trails. This third and newest edition is bound with real thread, using feather-lite, super-durable paper and printed with eco-friendly soy-based ink.

(Above) Easy-to-follow trail narratives begin each description. See trail length, highlights, cautions, a map key, trailhead location, and more, all at a glance!

Makes the perfect birthday, anniversary, or office gift.

Go Green!

Some of our favorite park hikes

Porters Creek Trail - Great for beginners!

A wooded hike with an old cemetery, an historic farm site, and a waterfall. 

Trail Length: 4 miles

How to Get There: At the junction of 441 and 321 in Gatlinburg (Light 3), turn right onto 321. Drive 6 miles and turn right into Greenbrier (look for the Smoky Mountain National Park entrance sign on the right). This road turns into a gravel road in a short distance. Drive 3.1 miles to a fork in the road. Stay straight to go to the Porters Creek trailhead. The parking lot will be almost another mile from this fork.

Abrams Falls Trail - Great for beginners!

The name Abrams is a shortened reference to Abraham, the Cherokee chief of a village on the Little Tennessee near the mouth of what is now Abrams Creek.Trail Length: 5 miles, a relatively easy hike. 

How to Get There: Follow U.S. 321 to the "Y". Turn onto Laurel Creek Road and continue straight until you reach Cades Cove Loop Rd. Travel 4.9 miles on Cades Cove Loop Rd., cross Abrams Creek and turn right onto a gravel road. Travel another 1/2 mile to the parking area. This is stop #10 on the Cades Cove loop tour.

Ramsay Cascades Trail

Maybe the best waterfall in the Smokies and lots of old, old, OLD, OLD trees.

Trail Length: 8 miles

How to Get There: From Gatlinburg, drive east along US 321 (stop-light #3 in Gatlinburg) for approximately 6 miles. Turn right on Greenbrier Road and travel 3.1 miles along the Little Pigeon River to Greenbrier Cove. Turn left at Ramsay Prong Road and travel 1.5 miles to the parking area. The trail begins at the back of the parking area.

Thanks for supporting local business!

Congratulations, fellow adventurers

Jon Capps and Andy McDermitt, 

AT Thru-Hiker Class of 2011

2,181 miles in 128 days...