Great Smoky Mountains National Park · North Carolina, Tennessee

Gatlinburg Trail

1.4 mi of trail, end to end · Hike the Gatlinburg Trail: 4 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 100 ft of climbing · 1,332 ft–1,418 ft · native surface · trail class Developed

1,332 ft 1,418 ft · 1.3 mi high 1,418 ft

Trailheads Gatlinburg Trail Trailhead 1,333 ft Drive there · Gatlinburg Trail Trailhead 1,419 ft Drive there · Gatlinburg Trail Trailhead 1,338 ft Drive there

Hike the Gatlinburg Trail 4 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

dogs allowed · entrance fee applies

A bridge over a river surrounded by green trees. A road past the bridge in the distance.
Hike 4 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to River Road in Gatlinburg. Photo: NPS Photo

Overview

Enjoy a pleasant riverside stroll approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip through a cove hardwood forest along one of the only dog- and bike-friendly trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park .

This trail connects the Sugarlands Visitor Center with River Road in Gatlinburg. Near the visitor center, the trail includes sections of sidewalk and roadside, but after reaching the North District Maintenance Center, it turns into a wide, well-graded dirt path through the woods with a couple notable steeper sections. Historic stone chimneys are visible along this trail.

Length

Approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip

Parking & Trailhead

Park at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and walk behind the building, past the restrooms, and past the brick headquarters building to the Gatlinburg Trailhead. Trail follows the road before continuing through the forest past the park maintenance area. Don't forget your parking tag .

Nearest Restroom

Sugarlands Visitor Center

Alternate Hikes

Oconaluftee River Trail : 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip

Little River, Cucumber Gap, Jakes Creek Loop : 5.4 miles (8.7 km) roundtrip

Big Creek Trail: varying lengths

Accessibility This trail is not ADA accessible. This trail has been assessed using the High-Efficiency Trail Assessment Process (HETAP) to provide objective information such as grade and slope. GRIT Freedom Chairs are available for free checkout on a first-come, first-served basis for this trail. The trail is relatively wide and flat, with sections of paved road, crushed stone, roots, and uneven dirt. A few steep sections plus occasional roots and rocks on the trail, but considered a leisurely path that is mostly flat and wide. Use descriptions, maps, and photos to determine which hikes are suitable for you. For information about the reservation process and other trail segments where GRIT Freedom Chairs can be used, visit the trail accessibility page.

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.