Hiking Overview: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Smokies are crisscrossed by some 900 miles of footpath—with so much trail mileage, it's no wonder visitors are often daunted as to what particular trail to take. But have no fear, GORP is here: We'll help you sort through all the options and find the day-hikes of your dreams.

The Smokies, of course, are a tremendously varied landscape—a place where you can walk through forest primeval, see a pioneer homestead, head to a dramatic waterfall, or climb to an inspiring vista. Which of these things you'll do during your visit depends somewhat on timing; in the cold months, you'll want to stick to the lowlands, whereas in the summer heat it's wise to head for the relative cool of the highlands.

You also might want to consider the "crowd factor." Which is more important to you: Getting your dose of nature in solitude, with no one but birds for company, or getting to that special overlook that is considered special by many other park visitors? The Smokies are the most visited park in the nation, but more often than not, a day hiker can get a quarter-mile from a trailhead and leave the crowds behind. Whatever the case, your time is valuable and you want to make the most of it.

There are five particular day hikes that, rewarding though they might be, carry nearly half the hiking traffic in the entire park. They are: Abrams Falls from Cades Cove; The Chimney Tops; Rainbow Falls; Alum Cave Bluff; and Laurel Falls. Join the throngs on these trails and you may very well be elbowing your way up the trail; unless you're interested in a trailside traffic jam, you may want to look elsewhere. And there's plenty "elsewhere" to see.