Great Smoky Mountains National Park · North Carolina, Tennessee

Forney Ridge Trail

5.3 mi of trail, end to end · Hike to Andrews Bald: 3.6 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 250 ft of climbing · 2,500 ft of descent · 3,925 ft–6,188 ft · native surface · trail class Developed

PeaksGaps

5,719 ft 3,925 ft · 4.3 mi high 5,884 ft

Along the way Board Camp Gap Andrews Bald

Hike to Andrews Bald 3.6 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

no dogs · entrance fee applies

Start Expect crowds and full parking at Kuwohi to access Forney Ridge Trailhead—consider a shuttle

Sweeping mountain views. Shrubs and short trees in a grassy field in the foreground plus hiker icon.
Hike 3.6 miles (5.8 km) roundtrip from the Forney Ridge Trailhead near the Kuwohi parking area. Photo: Smokies Life Photo

Overview

Expect extreme crowding and limited parking—consider a shuttle or alternate hikes listed below

Hike 3.6 miles (5.8 km) roundtrip in Great Smoky Mountains National Park descending through high-elevation, spruce-fir forest to a popular grassy bald known for its flowering azaleas in summer and views of the surrounding mountains.

The trail is wide and graveled and descends many stairs before the first junction. It narrows to a well-trodden dirt path. The return hike to the trailhead involves a relatively strenuous climb, but hikers will enjoy the company of dark-eyed juncos and other high-elevation birds along the way.

Length

3.6 miles (5.8 km) roundtrip

Parking & Trailhead

Please consider a shuttle or park at the Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) parking area (closed in winter). Forney Ridge Trailhead is on the left just before the visitor information center. Don't forget your parking tag .

Nearest Restroom

Pit toilets available seasonally at Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) parking area.

Alternate Hikes

Gregory Bald: 11.4 miles (18.3 km) roundtrip

Pets The Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail are the only two park trails where pets are permitted. Pets are also allowed in picnic areas, in campgrounds, and on roads.

Accessibility Trail has steep sections, stairs, and narrow parts.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 244 trails in Great Smoky Mountains National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.