View Full Version : Gatlinburg Hikes? Need suggestions...
EasternBox
05-06-2009, 14:49
I will be in Gatlinburg in less than two weeks and was wondering if anyone knows of a good 2 day hike around the area. Thanks!
You didn't state how far you wanted to hike each day but here's something you may want to try and it's not difficult but does involve some miles. Last year to finish my hike from GA to Me, I needed to do 18 miles in the Smokies from Derrek Knob shelter to Newfound Gap. I had gotten off the trail with shin splints at DK shelter and gotten back on the trail when well at NG. So in order to close this 18 mile gap in my hike, I parked at Sugarlands visitor center where you enter the national park from Gatlinburg about 9:00 A.M. and was lucky to catch a ride to Newfound Gap immediately with some day hikers. I hiked south from NG the first day and arrived at DK shelter about 6:30 P.M. This is not a hard hike and I had just finished the Whites and southern ME so I could "move". I spent the night at DK shelter with a nice father and son from WI, (who gave me lots of food), and the next morning I hiked back north .3 miles to the Greenbriar/Middle Prong trail which led me down to Tremont University, about 11 miles and caught a ride to Townsend, TN where I had a GIANT 4 egg western omlet at the Riverstone, (or Riverside) Family Restaurant. From there I hitch-hiked back to the visitor center, got my vehicle and drove home to west TN. This was a very nice 2 day hike and the scenery along the Middle Prong trail is wonderful.
Happy hiking. :sun
brian2o0o
05-06-2009, 22:32
Alum Cave Bluff Trail for a shorter day hike... or you could do an overnighter and go up to Mt. LeConte.
fraufrack
05-06-2009, 22:38
I'll second the motion for Mt. Leconte. Call the Lodge (http://www.lecontelodge.com/) and see if they've had any cancellations. If you're lucky, you can take someone's cancelled spot and have them cook you a yummy supper and breakfast, plus get hot chocolate, wine, a flush toilet, potable water, bathing water, and a cozy room. Its lovely. There are numerous paths up & down Leconte, and one of them goes right along the AT for a couple of miles, starting at Newfound Gap Rd, so you can add on miles easily.
Tennessee Viking
05-06-2009, 23:54
I will be in Gatlinburg in less than two weeks and was wondering if anyone knows of a good 2 day hike around the area. Thanks!
Being a 2 day hike. I would go for Mt LeConte. You can either do it by the AT & Boulevard, Alum Cave, or Rainbow Falls Trails.
You might encounter some slow-bos on the AT.
EasternBox
05-08-2009, 12:24
Thanks for the suggestions guys! Looks like we may be doing a day hike along Alum Cave Bluff and a two day hike somewhere else. Possibly doing the Charlies Bunion Loop. Starting very early to avoid crowds. If there are any other suggestions, please keep them coming. Anything in the Smokies that is a hidden gem would be awesome.
Have fun, I didn't get out to do any longer trips when I was there but a spot that will stick out for me being I gave my girlfriend her engagement ring was on top of the chimneys. Nice quick hike up to a 360 degree view. I think it is only just over a mile or mile and a half each way.
sliderule
05-08-2009, 14:07
Possibly doing the Charlies Bunion Loop.
Could you tell me about the Charlies Bunion Loop?
EasternBox
05-08-2009, 19:30
Could you tell me about the Charlies Bunion Loop?
I will be getting on the trail to Charlies Bunion at the trailhead and going past Charlies Bunion for about half a mile, then get on Dry Sluice Gap Trail, then Grassy Branch Trail. Grassy Branch basically ends at Kephart Shelter, so hopefully we can stay there. Next day we will continue on Grassy Branch and then hit Sweet Heifer Trail which leads back to the original AT/Charlies Bunion trail.
Hopefully this map will attach.