The Great Smoky Mountains offer a chance for everyone to reconnect with nature, whether you’re a seasoned wilderness expert or a newcomer to outdoor adventures.
If this is your first time hiking, or if you find yourself on a trip with young kids or older adults, it can be challenging to find trails that combine great scenery with a relatively easy hike. The trails we’re covering today all offer easy walking with great views.
While most trails are smooth and even, they’re not necessarily good for strollers–check out this list of stroller-friendly hikes if you’re planning on taking your little one!
The Smokies are home to plenty of shorter, easier trails that don’t sacrifice beautiful views! Read on to learn about a few of our top easy hikes in the Smokies.
Elkmont Nature Trail
If you’re looking for a short and simple hike, you can’t go wrong with the Elkmont Nature Trail. At only 0.8 miles, this is one of the easiest hikes in the Smokies. You can enjoy a quick, brisk walk or linger to see the beautiful wildflowers visible from the trail every spring!
If you’re in the area during the fall season, there are plenty of opportunities to see the Smokies foliage at its finest. This path is mostly shaded, making it a great choice for those worried about getting overheated.
An insider tip: look for the troll bridge!
Cataract Falls
For a slightly longer hike that’s achievable for any skill level, try the 1.1 mile round-trip walk to Cataract Falls. The well-marked path is easy to follow, and the falls are worth the hike!
Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to enjoy the wildlife, stop to admire the creek that flows nearby, and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the forest. This trail is mostly gravel, with sturdy railed bridges to keep everyone in your party safe.
As a bonus, the trail is only ten minutes away from downtown Gatlinburg, making it the perfect spot for a quick getaway from the crowds!
Indian Creek Falls
Don’t confuse “easy” with boring. The Indian Creek Falls trail is an uncomplicated 1.6 mile hike that treats you to not one but two waterfalls! At the beginning of the hike you’ll see Tom Branch Falls, dropping a total of 80 feet.
Spend plenty of time admiring the cascade, but then keep going–you’ll also want to see the second waterfall, Indian Creek. Plan an hour or two for this stunning round trip hike, but don’t forget to give yourself extra time to admire the rushing water, stunning flowers, and diverse foliage of the Smoky Mountains.
Big Creek/Mouse Creek Falls
If you’re ready for a bit of a challenge, tackle the trail to Big Creek/Mouse Creek Falls before you go! Don’t let the 4 mile trail scare you. Though this path is a bit more challenging than the others on the list, it still features generally smooth terrain due to its past as a logging trail in the early 1900s.
You’ll pass Midnight Hole, a popular swimming spot in the area, and many smaller waterfalls on your way to the 45-foot Mouse Creek Falls. If you want the full experience, try touring the trail on horseback.
If you’re just starting to explore the great outdoors, or if you’re planning to hike with little ones, the Great Smoky Mountains offer plenty of easy trails that don’t skimp on the “wow” factor.
Whether you choose the shaded calm of Elkmont Nature Trail or the waterfall-lined trail to Mouse Creek Falls, you won’t find any of these easy hikes in the Smokies lacking beautiful scenery.
There’s something in these mountains for every skill level, so hike with confidence!
