Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is beautiful and a great way to see the wonders of the Park. If you are a more experienced, adventurous hiker, the back country trails offer an in-depth backwoods experience. Here is a list of some of the trails throughout the park.
Trail – Mileage – Difficulty Rating – Time – Location
1. Boogerman Trail – 7.5 – moderate – 5 to 6 hrs – Cataloochee Campgrounds
2. Charlie’s Bunion – 8.8 – moderate – 4 to 5 hrs – Newfound Gap
3. Chimney Tops – 4 – strenuous – 3 to 4 hrs – Newfound Gap Road
4. Mt. Sterling – 12 – strenuous – 5 to 6 hrs – Cataloochee Scholhouse
5. Shuckstack – 10 – strenuous – 7 hrs – Twentymile
6. Smokemont Loop – 6 – moderate – 4 to 5 hrs – Smokemont Campground
Balds are also an interesting part of the Park. They are mysterious treeless areas high in the mountains. Some speculate that they were caused by ice storms, insects, woolly mammoths, dry wind, or fire. Some of the trails offer special features depending on the season. For instance, Gregory Bald is filled with beautiful azaleas in late June.
Trail – Mileage – Rating – Time – Location
1. Andrews Bald- 4 – moderate – 3 hrs – Clingmans Dome Road
2. Gregory Bald – 9 – moderate – 4 to 5 hrs – Parson Branch Road
3. Silers Bald – 10 – moderate – 5 to 6 hrs – Clingmans Dome Road
4. Spence Field – 11 – moderate – 6 to 7 hrs – Cades Cove Picnic Area
5. Thunderhead – 13 – strenuous – 8 hrs – Cades Cove Picnic Area
