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Smoky Mountains
Information For Hikers |
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Over 800 miles of hiking trails lace the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including a 70-mile segment of the Appalachian Trail. Elevations range from 840 to 6,643 feet above sea level. Trails range from gentle nature walks to rugged mountaineering.
Maps and guidebooks are available for purchase at any of the National Park Visitor Centers and many stores in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.
Backpacking is permitted in the National Park and nearby National Forests.
Hiking in the mountains can be very different from a walk in the flatlands. If you are considering any hiking in the Smokies, even a brief stroll, please review this information.
- Planning
- Mountain trails can be steep and rocky, and this must be considered when planning your hike. If you would typically hike five miles in flatter country, you might find the same five miles in the mountains take twice as long and twice the energy. The easiest way to handle this, of course, is just to walk till your "gauge" feels at the halfway mark, then head back. But if you are headed for a certain waterfall or overlook, or have planned a loop route, it is easy to overextend yourself. And it is always wise to consult your physician or healthcare professional to ascertain your physical capacity.
- Footwear
- Trails in the Smokies are seldom smooth. You will encounter loose stones and jagged rock. When choosing footwear for these trails, keep two things in mind: ankle support and a stiff sole. Because the surfaces are so uneven, there is always a risk of turning an ankle, so a boot that supports your ankle is helpful. Walking on a rocky surface can quickly become uncomfortable, unless the sole of your shoe or boot is thick and stiff enough to protect your foot. Unless you plan to do some hard-core hiking, it isn't necessary to run out and buy mountaineering boots, but a little forethought can keep a rocky trail from spoiling an otherwise enjoyable adventure.
- Weather
- Please consult our "Climate and Clothing" page. NEVER venture onto a trail for more than a few minutes without taking rain gear along - mountain weather is notoriously fickle.
- Bears
- Please consult our "Bears and Other Wildlife" page. Yes, you'll be hiking in bear country! If you encounter one, do not try to approach it. Mother bears are especially protective of their cubs. (If you see a cub, assume the mother is close by.) A few loud blasts on a whistle (which you should carry) will dispel all but the most aggressive bears. If you are eating along the trail and a bear approaches, take your food and leave if you can. Don't be a hero, though - the bear will win. Do not toss food to the bear, or intentionally leave food behind for it. Remember, to the bear, your picnic trash still smells like a meal.
- Sanitation
- Carry drinking water with you. Mountain streams look clean and inviting, but even the most pristine stream can make you ill. Water purification tablets cannot be guaranteed to kill the Giardia bacteria, present in even the most remote waters. Carry out all your trash. If you can pack it in full, you can pack it out empty. There are no toilets in the backcountry. If necessary, dig a "cat hole" six inches deep to bury solid waste. (Toilet paper can be burnt.)
- National Park Regulations
- The following are prohibited on trails within Great Smoky Mountains National Park: pets, bicycles, motorized vehicles, firearms, and feeding of wildlife. Visit any National Park Visitor Center or Ranger Station for more information and complete Park regulations.
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