Day Hikes, M-R

Easy	Moderate	Strenuous

Caution! Rocky terrain	Caution! Difficult water crossings	Caution! Difficult grade

Kid friendly trail (with close adult supervision)	Access currently closed due to construction	Access closed in winter

Meigs Mountain Cemetery:
6.6 miles

Trailhead:		Curry Mountain Trail, 100 yards east of the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area.
Take note:		It is easiest to park in the picnic area, no parking is available at the trailhead.
Highlights:		Fairly gentle grade, quiet trail, Meigs Mountain Cemetery.
Route:		Walk the full length of the Curry Mountain Trail, about 3.3 miles. Turn right onto the Meigs Mountain Trail, and watch for the path to the cemetery, about 50 yards or so on the right.

Mt. Cammerer Loop Hike:
16.1 miles

Trailhead:		Lower Mt. Cammerer trailhead, Cosby Campground.
Take note:		Park in Hiker Parking to avoid the wrath of the campground host.
Highlights:		Sutton Ridge Overlook, Mt. Cammerer fire tower, some nice ridge top walking.
Great Idea:		Take a camera and plan for lunch and a short nap at the fire tower.
Caution!!!		Extremely steep and rocky 2.5 mile stretch along the Appalachian Trail (Nature's Stairmaster!).
Route:		There is a shorter route available (see the next hike), but this route allows for a great loop with no back-tracking and the two trailheads are within a few hundred feet of one another. Either hike could be used by someone willing to work for a spectacular sunset or sunrise, but bring a flashlight! (I've seen both... they're worth the work) Begin on the Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail. Follow it 7.4 miles to the Appalachian Trail. Turn right, travel about 2.5 miles... all up the stair-master-like hill J . Turn right on the Mt. Cammerer Trail and travel the 0.6 miles out to the tower and back, but continue straight on up the Appalachian Trail. After 2.1 miles, take a right on the Low Gap Trail. You'll be back at Cosby Campground in about 2.5 miles.

Mt. Cammerer (the shorter way):
10.4 miles

Trailhead:		Low Gap trailhead, Cosby Campground.
Take note:		Park in Hiker Parking to avoid the wrath of the campground host.
Highlights:		Fire tower, ridge top hiking for a short distance, shorter than the 16.1 mile version.
Great Idea:		Take a camera and plan for lunch and a short nap at the fire tower.
Route:		Take Low Gap Trail to the Appalachian Trail. Turn left on the Appalachian Trail and proceed to the Mt. Cammerer Trail. Take the Mt. Cammerer Trail to the tower. Return via the same route.

Mt. Sterling Fire Tower:
5.6 miles

Trailhead:		Mt. Sterling Trail, on the Park boundary on NC Hwy 284 at Mt. Sterling Gap.
Take note:		The fire tower is not recommended for those who fear heights.
Highlights:		Fantastic views, old fire tower.
Great Idea:		If you're the night hiking type, this is an excellent place to see the sun rise or set. Remember your flashlight!
Route:		From the trailhead, walk 2.8 miles along the Mt. Sterling Trail to the fire tower. Return via the same route.

Parson's Branch Road:
10.5 miles

Trailhead:		Park at Parson's Branch Road in Cades Cove.
Take note:		This hike is on a road, not a trail. Best walked in winter when road is closed.
Highlights:		Beautiful streams, good fishing, cemetery, relatively quiet (even with traffic).
Route:		Walk approximately four miles to Sam's Gap. About a mile past Sam's Gap you will notice a vehicular pull-off on your left, with a small swampy area. Cross the mud and climb the very steep path to the cemetery. Return via the same route.

Rainbow Falls:
5.4 miles

Trailhead:		Rainbow Falls Parking Area on Cherokee Orchard Road.
Highlights:		Wildflowers in the spring and summer, Rainbow Falls.
Great Idea:		This is a very busy trail. Hike early in the day for solitude.
Caution!!!		Exercise caution around the falls!
Route:		Hike the Rainbow Falls trail ~ 2.7 miles to the falls. Return via the same route.

Ramsey Cascades:
8.0 miles

Trailhead:		Ramsey Cascades Trail. Construction on the bridge above the Greenbrier Ranger Station excludes all vehicular traffic beyond that point. You may want to save this hike until after March, when the construction is projected to be complete.
Highlights:		Old growth tulip poplars, highest cascades in the Park.
Great Idea:		At the cascades, soak tired feet in the pools and take a nap on the large flat rocks.
Caution!!!		It's tempting, but do not attempt to climb the falls. Exercise caution.
Route:		Begin at the trailhead and hike 4.0 miles to the cascades. Return via the same route.

Road Prong:
3.3 miles

Trailhead:		Road Prong Trail, Clingmans Dome Road. Vehicular access to trailhead restricted during winter months.
Take note:		This hike requires a second vehicle at the Chimney Tops Trail.
Highlights:		Dramatic damage from hurricane Opal, beautiful waterfalls, downhill walking.
Caution!!!		Plan on wet feet... trail is in the creek for a short distance.
Route:		Begin at the trailhead and walk downhill. At 2.4 miles you'll encounter the Chimney Tops Trail. Stay to the right and you'll be at the Chimney Tops trailhead in less than a mile.

Russell Field Loop:
12.3 miles

Trailhead:		Anthony Creek Trailhead, located in the Cades Cove Picnic Area.
Highlights:		Good one-vehicle loop. Great views from Spence & Russell Fields.
Route:		Take the Anthony Creek Trail. Turn right on Bote Mountain. Turn right on the Appalachian trail at Spence Field. Turn right on the Russell Field Trail at Russell Field. Veer left onto the Anthony Creek Trail and return to the picnic area.�

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