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Best Hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Misty ridgelines and waterfalls along the Tennessee–North Carolina border. We track 4 trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, from short day hikes to routes up to 9 miles. Compare them below by distance, elevation and the best time to go.

hiking 4 trails straighten 19 mi mapped wb_sunny best Oct
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Best time to hike Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Based on climate data for trails in the park, the best months to visit are October. Check each trail’s month-by-month weather guide for details.

Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cove Mountain Trail
straighten8.6 mi14 km trending_up2,943 ft897 m gain trending_down364 ft111 m loss event1 day trending_flatPoint-to-point publicRegional route
wb_sunny Best from October to October
Alum Cave Trail
straighten4.5 mi7 km trending_up2,799 ft853 m gain trending_down328 ft100 m loss event1 day trending_flatPoint-to-point publicRegional route
wb_sunny Best from October to October
Chimney Tops Trail
straighten1.8 mi3 km trending_up1,322 ft403 m gain trending_down108 ft33 m loss event1 day trending_flatPoint-to-point publicRegional route
wb_sunny Best from October to October
Ramsey Cascades Trail
straighten4.0 mi6 km trending_up2,224 ft678 m gain event1 day trending_flatPoint-to-point publicRegional route
wb_sunny Best from October to October

Great Smoky Mountains National Park hiking FAQ

What are the best hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Popular trails include Cove Mountain Trail, Alum Cave Trail, Chimney Tops Trail, Ramsey Cascades Trail. Compare them above by distance, elevation and difficulty.
When is the best time to hike Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Based on climate data for trails in the park, the best months are October.
How long are the trails?
Routes range from about 1.8 to 9 miles (3–14 km).