Best hikes in the Smokies: 10 epic Great Smoky Mountains hikes in NC

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the best hiking destinations in the U.S. Straddling the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, the park covers nearly 200,000 acres of forest and ridgeline in the Appalachian Mountains. It’s the most biodiverse national park in the country.

Most lists of the best hikes in the Smokies focus on trails on the Tennessee side, with an emphasis on family-friendly hikes. But those trails tend to be extremely crowded. The North Carolina side of the park is far quieter and offers tons of off-the-beaten-path areas to explore. It’s also where the most challenging trails in the park begin.

If you’re looking for difficult, long, steep hikes where you might only see one or two other people all day, these 10 Great Smoky Mountains hikes are worth a shot!

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How to get to the best hikes in the Smokies on the NC side

Before we get into the specific trails, let’s talk about a few practicalities for hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

First, the Smokies are a year-round hiking destination. Unless we get a lot of snow in Western North Carolina — like, 6-10 inches — the roads to these trails are always open. We usually get one big storm a year.

There are a few main parking areas, all of which have restrooms:

• Big Creek: This parking lot is 3 miles off I-40, down a rough gravel road. Parking here is a bit of a mess — expect lots of mud and dodgy parking spaces unless you arrive very early on weekends.
• Deep Creek: Just outside Bryson City, Deep Creek is the nicest parking area in the national park. Paved roads the whole way and plenty of space for everyone.
• Newfound Gap: Right smack dab in the middle of Great Smoky Mountains, both east-west and north-south. The parking lot straddles the NC/TN border on the ridge. It has a good amount of space but it gets busy on weekends. The road closes in heavy snow.
• Oconaluftee Visitor’s Center: The closest parking area to Cherokee. Plenty of space, and a popular elk-viewing destination.
• Fontana Dam: The Appalachian Trail trailhead has restrooms and lots of space, but if you park here, you’ll have to do a mile road-walk in the sun. Drive up to the gravel parking lot (no restrooms, space for 3-4 cars) right at the entrance to the forest instead.

All the parking areas are between 60-90 minutes from downtown Asheville. Big Creek and Deep Creek are the easiest drives if you’re looking for a day-hike from the city.

The top NC Great Smoky Mountains hiking trails for experienced hikers

Ready to start hiking? Awesome!

I’m listing these trails in the order of least-most difficult. However, any hikes in the Smokies will be difficult for inexperienced hikers or those coming from flatter areas. If you’ve never hiked in the Carolina mountains before, consider warming up with a few easier trails before taking these on. My difficulty ratings are relative to other trails in the area. They’re also based on the assumption that if you’re even considering these hikes, you’re a fairly fit and experienced trekker.

For any of these hikes, you’ll want a full day’s worth of food and gear (extra-important in winter where the temperature can drop 30 degrees between Asheville and Clingmans Dome).

Many hikers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park worry about bears. You have a pretty good chance of seeing one — and a virtually guaranteed chance of scaring it away. Make noise while you hike, carry bear spray, and hang your food if you’re camping. But if you follow those simple rules you’re unlikely to have a dangerous bear encounter.  In fact, the wild hogs are a bigger concern.

Final safety tip, I promise: Most of these hikes are on the ridgeline. That means they’re very dangerous places to be in a thunderstorm. Always pack a rain jacket, but in summer you should aim to be off the ridge by 2 pm to avoid the daily pop-up storms.

1. Deep Creek Waterfall Loop

The Deep Creek Waterfall Loop is the one truly easy trail on this list. It’s also more crowded than the others. But I’m including it because it’s one of the best waterfall hikes near Asheville, and it’s 100% worth doing. You can combine it with Lonesome Pine Overlook for a longer day.

The trail starts at the Deep Creek Parking Area. It begins on a wide gravel path, where you’ll see Tom Branch Falls almost immediately. A quick, gradual climb takes you to Indian Creek Falls about 0.5 miles later.

Next, you’ll climb up and over Juney Whank Ridge. This area is a great example of low-altitude biodiversity in the Smokies. You’ll see mountain laurel tunnels, deer, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you might even see endangered salamanders. Finally, the trail ends at Juney Whank Falls, the smallest waterfall of the three, before swinging around to the parking lot.

Tom Branch and Indian Creek Falls get pretty crowded on summer weekends. But once you get to Juney Whank Ridge, you’ll leave most other people behind. Only a handful of folks make it all the way to Juney Whank Falls.

Hike Details:

• Good for: Waterfalls, spring wildflowers, wildlife, families with kids over 8 years old
• Length: 5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 900 feet
• Time (without long breaks): Two hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead: Deep Creek
• Navigation: Clear trail markings at every intersection. AllTrails map here.

2. Lonesome Pine Overlook

I almost didn’t include Lonesome Pine Overlook in this post.

Why, you ask?

Because I love having it all to myself!

Of all the best trails in the Smokies, this is one of the least crowded. But that’s not because it’s boring. No, you’ll find far more people on trails far less beautiful than this one.

In fact, I’m not quite sure why so few people do this hike. Maybe because you have to climb over 2,000 feet in 3 miles. But if you’re in good shape, it’s one of the best Great Smoky Mountains National Park trails for views without the crowds.

The hike starts from Deep Creek Parking Area. You’ll hop on a short connector before picking up the Noland Divide Trail, which takes you the whole way. And it’s nothing but up-up-up. It’s never steep, but it is relentless.

After 3.3 miles of climbing, look out for the small wooden sign to the overlook. You’ll know you’re almost there when you cross over a rocky bald with great views into Tennessee.

This is an out-and-back trail — once you reach the overlook, return the way you came.

Hike Details:

• Good for: Solitude, views, spring wildflowers
• Length: 6.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet
• Time (without long breaks): Three hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead: Deep Creek
• Navigation: Clear trail markings, but you stay on the Noland Divide the whole time. AllTrails map here.

3. Charlie’s Bunion

Charlie’s Bunion is one of the more popular hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains. But there’s a reason for its popularity. The jagged cliffs are more reminiscent of something you’d find out West than in Tennessee. If you like rock scrambling, there is no better hike in Southern Appalachia.

This trail starts from the Newfound Gap parking lot. Hop on the Appalachian Trail heading north (on the same side of the road as the parking area, near the restrooms).

You’ll climb steeply, over rocky terrain, for about three miles before you reach Icewater Springs Shelter. This is the most beautiful shelter in the park and an essential stop if you have time to stay overnight. The sunrises over the Sawteeth to the north are unforgettable. You need a permit and you can only stay for one night.

From Icewater Springs, it’s all downhill to Charlie’s Bunion. You’ll know you’re close when you find the sign that warns you to watch small children. It’s a quick rock scramble to the ledges. Return the way you came.

Charlie’s Bunion is beautiful, but it can also be dangerous. I would not want to be here in a thunderstorm — it’s very exposed. Even in the rain, it would be slippery. And don’t even think about it without microspikes in winter. You could fall off one of the cliffs pretty easily, especially if you try to pass other people on the narrow walkways.

Hike Details:

• Good for: Rock scrambling, views, sunrises/sunsets, families with teenagers
• Length: 8.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet
• Time (without long breaks): Three-four hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead: Newfound Gap
• Navigation: Take the (white blazed) Appalachian Trail the whole way. AllTrails map here.

4. Shuckstack Fire Tower

Panoramic views over Fontana Lake. Isolated trails in the far southern part of the park. A phenomenal workout. Shuckstack Fire Tower is one of my favorite Smoky Mountain hikes.

You can’t hike Shuckstack without stopping at Fontana Dam on the way to the trailhead. The dam is the largest east of the Mississippi. But it has a dark past — the Tennessee Valley Authority spearheaded its construction during World War II to supply power to Oak Ridge, TN, where the Manhattan Project was underway.

Once you’ve had your fill of history, continue to the AT trailhead where it enters the woods. From here it’s a straight climb for about 3.3 miles on the AT. A clear turnoff leads to a short spur trail to the fire tower.

Luckily, Shuckstack Tower is a stable structure that feels completely safe to climb on. No rattling with the wind here! If you go up 3-4 levels you’ll get spectacular views of Fontana Lake, Rocky Top, and even Clingmans Dome.

Return the way you came — and on your way back, park at the dam. If you look to your left, you can see the fire tower you just climbed up to!

Hike Details:

• Good for: Views, history, no crowds
• Length: 6.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet
• Time (without long breaks): Three hours
• Difficulty: Difficult — it’s a steep and long climb. Switchbacks the whole way.
• Trailhead: Fontana Dam
• Navigation: Take the (white blazed) Appalachian Trail to the clearly marked spur. AllTrails map here.

5. Mount Sterling

Mount Sterling would be one of the most popular hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — if it weren’t so long. Fortunately for fit hikers, the fact that it’s 12 miles from the nearest road virtually guarantees that you’ll have it to yourself.

The hike starts from Big Creek and follows the Baxter Creek/Benton-Mackay Trail all the way to the summit. It ascends alongside a creek before turning off into old-growth forest. You’ll pass through about a dozen different microclimates in the last 3 miles of the climb.

Near the top, the trail passes through one of the most unique Smokies ecosystems. Hundreds of fallen pine trees have been completely overtaken with moss. The ground is covered with clover and other protective grasses. It feels like an enchanted forest and it’s so green that you could mistake it for the tropics. It’s especially magical in dense fog, or in summer when neon-red wild mushrooms poke out.

Your final destination is the fire tower at the summit. This tower is quite a bit dodgier than Shuckstack. If you don’t have a good head for heights, you may want to stop partway up, lest you be blown away by the slightest breeze. If the weather is clear, you’ll have long-range views in all directions from this 5,000+-foot summit. Return the way you came.

If you are able to haul a backpack up here and have some spare time, the park operates a backcountry camp site near the summit. Winter camping is especially epic (if very, very cold) up here. It’s one of the best overnight hikes in the Smokies.

The weather changes quickly and dramatically on Mount Sterling. Bring layers — the summit is windy, wet, and 15 degrees colder than the trailhead. If you can handle the cold, I highly recommend this as a winter hike for snowy views.

Hike Details:

• Good for: Views, biodiversity, no crowds
• Length: 12 miles
• Elevation Gain: 4,100 feet
• Time (without long breaks): Five hours
• Difficulty: If it weren’t for the length and the elevation, this would be an easy trail. It’s not steep. I’d rate it moderate for hikers who are okay with longer distances.
• Trailhead: Big Creek
• Navigation: Signed at every intersection. Follow signs for Baxter Creek and the BMT. AllTrails map here.

6. Mount Cammerer

Mount Cammerer doesn’t have to be a hard hike. You can climb up from Cosby, TN — a moderate but rewarding trail. But if you’re looking for more solitude and a bigger challenge (plus a shorter drive from Asheville), take it on from Davenport Gap.

This is another Appalachian Trail hike. You can start from Davenport Gap itself (not recommended due to car break-ins), Big Creek via the Chestnut Branch Trail, or from one of the parking areas where the AT crosses the road just off of I-40. I did the latter, so that’s what I’ll describe here.

The trail starts out with rolling hills alongside an atmospheric mountain stream. But once you reach Davenport Gap 2 miles in, it’s straight up the whole way. It begins fairly gradually, but around Mile 5 it gets very steep.

You’ll get a couple nice views of the TN side of the park from around Mile 4.5. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes in this rocky area.

Finally, around Mile 6.5, you’ll reach a turnoff to the Mount Cammerer Trail. It’s a half-mile of mostly flat trail here to the old stone lookout tower.

The Civilian Conservation Corps built the tower in the 1930’s. It hasn’t been in use since the ’60’s. You can go inside, but the better views are from the surrounding rocks. Different spots on the summit offer views of both the NC and TN ridges and lower slopes. On the NC side, you can see all the way into the Plott Balsam range on a clear day.

This is another out-and-back — return the way you came.

Hike Details:

• Good for: Views, few crowds until you reach the summit, long hikes
• Length: 14 miles
• Elevation Gain: 4,000 feet
• Time (without long breaks): Six hours
• Difficulty: Difficult — this is a long hike with some quite steep sections.
• Trailhead: Park where the AT crosses the road just off I-40. It’s marked at trailheads as “Pigeon River.”
• Navigation: Signed at every intersection. Most of the hike is on the AT. AllTrails map here.

7. Clingmans Dome from Newfound Gap

This one is for serious hikers only. But if you have the stamina, willpower to get up at 5 am, and resilience to the cold, it’s possibly the best winter hike in WNC. It’ll take you across two 6,000-foot peaks to the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And you’ll have it to yourself.

Park at Newfound Gap and cross the road to pick up the AT south. The first few miles are fairly easy going, with lots of up and down. You’re mostly in the pine forest here.

That all changes when you get to the turnoff for Mount Collins Shelter. The final 3 miles to Clingmans Dome are steep, rocky, wet/icy, slow, and freezing cold on all but the warmest summer days. You’ll likely slow down to about 1.5 miles per hour here. As hard as you’re working, be sure to take in the views of the mossy, foggy pine forest.

You’ll cross Mount Collins first — it’s a 6,000 footer, but you won’t see much through the trees at the summit. Then it’s a quick descent before you have to start climbing again to reach Clingman’s Dome. The final 0.2 miles is on the paved road to the lookout tower.

When Clingmans Dome Road is open (March-November), this area is a zoo. You’ll compete with dozens of tourists for the panoramic views of the ridge. But in winter you’ll have it all to yourself.

Return the way you came. Be sure to leave plenty of time for the return trip — one of the things that makes this hike so difficult is that there’s a lot of up and down on the way back. Almost a third of the elevation gain is on the return.

Hike Details:

• Good for: Views, solitude in winter, biodiversity
• Length: 17.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 4,000 feet
• Time (without long breaks): Eight+ hours
• Difficulty: Difficult — this is a very long hike with over 6 miles of steep, rocky sections.
• Trailhead: Newfound Gap
• Navigation: You’re on the AT the whole time. AllTrails map here.

8. Mount LeConte via Boulevard Trail

Much like the Newfound Gap – Clingmans Dome hike, this one is for true masochists. You’ll need to hike over 18 miles of steep trail to reach the Smokies’ most beloved summit.

The hike begins from Newfound Gap, along the Appalachian Trail. You’ll climb steadily for the first three miles until you reach the intersection with the Boulevard Trail (on your left). This is also the most crowded section of trail, since it’s on the way to Charlie’s Bunion.

Shortly after turning onto the Boulevard Trail, you’ll reach a turnoff for the Jumpoff. This epic view is well worth the diversion — but it does put this hike closer to 19+ miles.

Back on the Boulevard, the trail meanders along the ridge, with some easy ups and downs. It’s pretty easy to blow through the first 5 miles quickly. Then, as you approach the final climb to LeConte, it gets much steeper.

You’ll come to a stretch of exposed rock half a mile before the summit. Cables help you maintain balance, but watch out for ice — I hiked in October and it was quite icy here. The views of the entire northern Smokies ridge are phenomenal.

Finally, you’ll reach the LeConte summit area. The peak itself is marked with a pile of rocks in the middle of the forest. For better views, head to Myrtle Point in the morning or Cliffside for sunset. While you’re up here, don’t miss a stop at the iconic LeConte Lodge. When you’re ready to head down, return the way you came.

There are far shorter and easier hikes to the summit of Mount LeConte — the Alum Cave trail is particularly amazing. However, they all start from the TN side of the Smokies, making them very long drives from Asheville.

Hike Details:

• Good for: Views, 6,000-foot peaks
• Length: 18 miles
• Elevation Gain: 4,000 feet
• Time (without long breaks): Eight+ hours
• Difficulty: Difficult — this is a very long hike.
• Trailhead: Newfound Gap
• Navigation: AllTrails map here.

9. The Sawteeth

The Sawteeth have the best Great Smoky Mountain hikes that nobody knows about.

The name “Sawteeth” comes from the jagged ridge crossing several 6,000-foot peaks in the northern Smokies. You won’t get much in the way of views — most of the summits are tree-covered. But you will get the opportunity to hike in an area that virtually no visitors get to see. The forest is magical, and you’ll see wildlife around every turn. On my last visit I saw two bears, four deer, wild hogs, and a family of turkeys in a single morning — along with three different salamander species. And even though I was mostly on the AT, I saw just one other hiker.

This is a choose-your-own-adventure hike in the Great Smokies. Start from one of the trailheads around Beech Gap and take the Balsam Mountain Trail up to the ridge — about 10 miles. You can also hike up from Big Creek or Davenport Gap, but it’s a brutally steep 18 miles one-way.

Your destination is Tricorner Knob shelter. It’s roughly 12 miles from the nearest road. A day-hike would require 24 miles round-trip — just to reach the shelter. And that’s before you get into the little-explored, extremely remote trails all around. Your best bet is a two-night stay in the backcountry.

Once you reach the ridge, the AT and various offshoots will take you to tons of 6k+ peaks: Big Catahoochee, Big Butt, Balsam Corner, Luftee Knob, Thermo Knob, Mount Sequoya, Mount Yonaguska, Mount Hardison, Marks Knob, Mount Guyot, the Sawteeth themselves, Mount Kephart, and Mount Ambler. And I probably missed a few on that list. Some can only be reached with bushwhacks, for which it’s extra-important to familiarize yourself with Leave No Trace principles and safe off-trail travel. (Bushwhacking is permitted in the Smokies but you need to be extremely cautious not to damage endangered flora.)

A couple minor words of warning for this area: You are far from anyone and anything, and not many hikers get up here. So you are on your own. Bring a good topographic map in addition to AllTrails.

This is not an easy area to explore. But intrepid hikers will find it easily tops the list of the best hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains.

Hike Details:

• Good for: Complete solitude, the most beautiful forest you’ll ever see, 6k+ peaks
• Length: As long as you want, but at least 25 miles
• Elevation Gain: Depends on your exact route — the climb to the ridge is 3,000 feet
• Time (without long breaks): Two-three days
• Difficulty: Difficult — you’ll need to camp, the ridge is steep, some peaks can only be reached with bushwhacks, and it’s very, very remote.
• Trailhead: Beech Gap
• Navigation: There aren’t any good routes on AllTrails. Get a map and plan this one yourself. You can find some possible route descriptions here.

10. The Appalachian Trail through Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Can’t choose from the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains? Why not just combine most of them into a backpacking trip?

The Appalachian Trail through the Smokies runs 72 miles from Fontana Dam to Davenport Gap — the entire ridgeline of the park. This grueling backpacking trip takes 5-7 days to complete. But the rewards are immense.

The AT runs through two little-visited sections of the park. The first is between Shuckstack Fire Tower and Rocky Top (shortly before Clingmans Dome). This mid-altitude stretch features some of the best long-range views over Fontana Lake. The second is the Sawteeth, as detailed above. In between, you’ll also get to visit most of the Smokies’ most iconic landmarks like Mount Cammerer and Clingmans Dome.

The biggest challenge of hiking Fontana Dam to Davenport Gap is you need to carry all your food. If you’ve never packed six days of food before, let me tell you — it is heavy. And your first day will require a 10+ mile, 4,000-foot climb with all that weight. Definitely train before attempting this trek.

Along the way, you’ll stay in designated shelters that you must book in advance for $5 a night. Every shelter has a water source (you still have to treat the water) and bear cables. Some also have privies. If you’re up for the physical challenge, this is one of the logistically easiest and safest solo female backpacking trips to attempt.

If you’re looking for a shorter alternative, you can easily split this trip in half by ending at Clingmans Dome or Newfound Gap. The southern half is better for views, but the northern half is overall more beautiful and remote.

Hike Details:

• Good for: Experienced backpackers who are in great shape
• Length: On paper it’s 72 miles. I recorded 79 miles. The discrepancy is mostly side trips for water.
• Elevation Gain: 19,000 feet
• Time (without long breaks): 5-7 days. I did it in 6 — the campsites aren’t ideally spaced and 5 days is only realistic if you’re okay with several 15+ mile days.
• Difficulty: Difficult, mainly due to the initial climb with six days of food in your pack.
• Trailhead: Fontana Dam
• Navigation: You’ll see a white blaze every few hundred feet; it’s impossible to get lost. AllTrails map here.

A few other tips to enjoy the best Smoky Mountain hikes

• Crowds in the Smokies are ridiculous on summer and October weekends. This mostly impacts the easier trails near Gatlinburg, but Charlie’s Bunion can get pretty mobbed too. Visit in spring or during the week for more solitude.
• Dogs are not permitted anywhere on hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This excludes service dogs but includes emotional support animals. There are huge fines if you break the rules, so don’t even consider it. The main reason is because dogs can damage the many endangered species along the trails and disrupt wildlife.
• If you’re looking for a place to stay while you explore the Smoky Mountains, try Deep Creek Campground. Bryson City and Cherokee have lots of hotels and guesthouses if you’re after something a bit more comfortable.
• For winter visits, stay up to speed on road closures by following the NPS’s Twitter feed.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is totally free to visit! There are no park fees and you don’t need an America the Beautiful pass.
• Choose parking spaces responsibly — don’t park in the mud outside of designated areas, don’t steal parking spaces meant for horseback riders at their trailheads, and if you must park on a road, make sure you’re fully in the shoulder.
• The bear-proof trash cans take some getting used to. Slide your hand under the handhold and push the latch before you try to lift the lid.
• Always pack out all of your trash. This includes toilet paper if you’re backcountry camping — even if your campsite has a privy.
• Did I mention the Smokies have bears? Whether you’re in the frontcountry or the backcountry, practice bear-safe travel. A fed bear is a dead bear, so keep your food in your locked car or hung on bear cables. Hang your trash overnight or dispose of it in bear-safe trash cans. WNC locals have a saying for tourist hikers in the Smokies: “there is significant overlap between the smartest bear and the dumbest hiker.” Don’t be that hiker.

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