smokey beginner trail

“From reading your posts I knew this would be the place to get some good advice on the Smokey Mountains. What would be a good day hike for beginner hikers? We're going next week & the book & map I have show lots of great trails but since we're only hiking 1 day I could use some advice.

THX”

“woodsie, is that you?

Get the Little Brown Book of the Smokies. It is the best one out there.”

“Nope not woodsie. This is my first post & I'm a true beginning hiker. That's the one book I have of the Smokey's. I guess any one of the beginner trails would be good? I'm figuring a 4 hour hike would be good.”

“If you truly want easy.. go in at Elkmont.. and wander Jakes, Cucumber.. the maze of trails in there.”

“A lot of it depends on what you like, and what you want to see.”

“If you are going to be in North Carolina part of the Smokies, hike Big Creek along... Big Creek.

The trails outside of Cosby can be pretty steep, but Porters Creek out of Greenbriar - not far from Cosby is relatively easy and historical as well.

If you are wanting to visit Cades Cove, Abrams Falls trail is pretty easy. Other ones have some steep ascents that may seem hard to a beginner.

Definitely in Elkmont like Towndawggie said - LIttle River Trail is nice if you hike out to Huskey Gap junction and back. Jakes Creek Trail out of Elkmont isn't too bad either, but it has a good incline so...”

“We'll be in Gatlinburg on Monday. We're going for the scenery & to take pictures for my daughter's photography class. I've heard Cades Cove could have bears; I'm not up for that much adventure. I don't have my map in front of me but I'll check those trails out when I get home.”

“You can take the Roaring Fork Motor trail out of Gatlinburg, stop along the way and get some good photos. Do the hike to Grotto Falls. That's a good easy trip to start out, with good scenery along the way. The downside is no vista views. if the wildflowers are blooming there's lots of places along creek crossings you can photograph them.”

“Great suggestions from above. Also Newfound Gap to Jumpoff or hike up Chimney Tops. Have a greta time.

tater, off with my son in 3 weeks. Interested in something this fall?”