Top 4 Hiking Trails With the Best Views of the Smoky Mountains

When you stay at one of our cabins in Gatlinburg, you will be in a great location to easily access the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That is where you will find an array of different beautiful hiking trails. There are wonderful hikes available for all ages and skill levels. The one thing that people look for the most when they are choosing a hike is what all they will see along the way. Well, here are 4 hiking trails with the best views of the Smoky Mountains:

1. Andrews Bald

The hike to Andrews Bald is 3.6 miles round trip and offers an incredible view of the mountains from an open, grassy meadow. This is the perfect place to sit down on a blanket and enjoy a picnic while you take in the magnificent scenery. To get there, you will hike the Forney Ridge Trail for about 2 miles. From there, you will ascend up to the grassy bald on the final part of the hike. This trail is most popular during the spring and summer months because of the spectacular wildflowers that grow in the meadow and along the pathway. Also, during the summer, you will find patches of blackberries and raspberries to have for a snack!

2. Clingmans Dome

At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains National Park. For the best views imaginable, take the short hike to the observation tower! The best thing about visiting Clingmans Dome is there is a parking lot that you can drive to, instead of having to hike the whole way. From the parking spaces, it is only half of a mile to the tower. Once you get to the observation deck, you will be greeted with an amazing view of the Smokies! On clear days, you can see up to 100 miles away!

3. Chimney Tops

If you are looking for a short hike that still has amazing views, the Chimney Tops might be your best option. The only thing about this hike is that the change in elevation causes the path to become steep at times. The trail gains 1,400 feet in just over 2 miles. However, once you reach the summit, you will have a breathtaking view of Mount LeConte!

4. Rainbow Falls

One of the most amazing sights to see in the Smoky Mountains is a magnificent waterfall. If you are looking for one of the most beautiful waterfall hikes in the Smokies, Rainbow Falls is the answer. This 5.4 mile trail features a magnificent 80-foot waterfall! If possible, try to visit the falls on a sunny day after a long period of rain. As you can probably guess from the name, you can sometimes see a shining rainbow coming through the trees that reflects off the water.

Now that you know about some of the best trails in the Smoky Mountains with incredible views, be sure to check out some more important information about the national park before you visit! We hope to see you soon out on the hiking trails!