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LeConte Nirvana
Located in the Smoky Mountains
Log Cabin Vacation Rental
Hiking the Smokys
The park boasts more than 800 miles of trails, including roughly 71 miles of the Appalachian Trail which runs along the crest of the Smoky Mountains.
There are 43 Waterfall hikes in the Greater Smoky Mountains National Park.
Here are a few that we've hiked along with our photo's of the waterfalls. Keep cheeking back as we continue to hike.
Ramsey Cascades
The trail for this 8 mile hike is located in the Greenbrier Area of the park 105 Foot Drop, 122 Ft. Run rated Difficult. We started out first this thing in the morning for this hike,the beginning was flat, then you actually gain in elevation as you hike 2,190ft to your final elevation of 4, 2694 ft.
Grotto Falls
This hike is 2.6 miles round trip- This waterfall is really cool as you can actually walk behind the waterfall. It’s rated moderate. The trail head for this hike is actually on a beautiful scenic car ride called – Roaring Fork - traffic light #8 in Gatlinburg (Signs say Nature Trail) the trail head is past the Rainbow Falls trailhead- * watch for sign directing you to turn right to Grotto Falls. This trail can be busy at times as this trail is also used for the lama that take supplies to Mount LeConte
Mingo Falls
This is the tallest waterfall in the park, the hike is 0.4 miles round trip with a 180 ft. drop. (One of our favorites) The beginning of the trail is a flight of stairs that are leaning slightly to the right, then onto trail to the bridge. The trailhead is located in the Cherokee Indian Reservation side of the park. Continue on 441, out of the park, once you come into Cherokee you will take the first left at the light, then your first left. Travel approximately 5-7 miles (past high school and the KOA campground) the entrance to Mingo Falls is not easy to find- look for a small sign on the side of the road – Mingo Falls entrance is a tiny paved parking lot on your right. Hint if you plan your day to complete your hike around 4-5pm, this is when the elk
come out to graze
Rainbow Falls
This hike is 5.5 miles round trip and rated moderate to difficult. This trail actually has a lower, middle and upper falls (Rainbow). It’s a peaceful hike, some areas can get tricky and slippery. The fall is a 75ft drop and gorgeous. The trailhead is as stated above. We started out first thing in the am and was back around noon.
Baskin Creek Falls
This hike is 3.2 miles round trip and is rated moderate. Well we did a big family hike on this trail and it was a breeze getting there (all downhill) until the end and you had to climb over things. The hard part was getting back- all uphill The trail head is on the same road as the Roaring Fork Rd. and right after Rainbow Falls trailhead. * Not an easy trailhead to find.
Spruce Flat Falls
This hike is 1.9 miles round trip and is rated moderate, with a 125ft. drop. The trailhead is located towards the Cades Cove area, turn at Treemont Sign travel 2 miles to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont- there is a bookstore there someone will be able to direct you from there to the trailhead
Mouse Creek Falls
4 mile round trip hike, rated moderate. After the first 1.4 miles you will reach Midnight Hole, which is on the left. This is a favorite swimming hole for the locals, as it is 80 feet wide and 15feet deep
The Big Creek Trail follows an old railroad grade, built by the Crestmont Lumber Company in the early 1900's to haul lumber out of the mountains during the logging boom. The trail was improved by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the early 1930s when it was converted for hiking use. From I-40 near the Tennessee-North Carolina border, take the Waterville Road Exit (#451).
Laurel Falls
This hike is 2.5 miles round trip and rated moderate walk, with an 85 ft. drop. This trail is fairly easy actually as the entire trail is paved. This trail can be busy because of the ease of it. This trail head is located 3.8 miles west of Sugarland’s visitor’s center