I think this would be a good quick trip for families passing through the area. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. There is a nice sandy area to kick back and ogle the waterfall from. I had tennis shoes,but the bottoms were worn, which was my fault for wearing them. Laurel Falls, which is an easy 30-minute drive from Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is a popular trail and attraction. This short, paved trail leads to an impressive 80ft waterfall. Improve this listing All photos (1,410) Top ways to experience nearby attractions s.async = true; Moderate 4.3 (231) DeSoto State Park. LeConte. Get them delivered straight to your inbox instead! Great Smoky Mountains National Park receives more visitors per year than any other park in the United States (yes, beating out both Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon!). This way, you can end your hike by visiting the Sugarland Distillery. One of our planned activities was to hike a couple trails. We too have ignored the safety warnings in other places. This was a great option for a rainy day. At the halfway point of your hike, take the diversion to Cataract Falls. Youll pass John Messers cantilever barn and Historic farm site, which has been around since 1875. On any given day he's either backpacking, bikepacking, trail running, or thinking about the next time hell get out there. From the top, there are panoramic views in every direction. Youll get some spectacular views at the top of the climb, too, and will probably forget youre in a busy National Park. Worth it though. This was our first ever hike in the GSM, and it was well worth the 1.3 miles up. more, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Try this 0.4-mile loop trail near Beersheba Springs, Tennessee. There are some short sections that are steep but overall a moderate trail. This hike starts just outside Gatlinburg city limits and serves up awesome views of the Smokies and Gatlinburg from the top. Print/PDF map. Teaming with small fish and salamanders, the scenic stream is one of the few areas in the world where you'll find the Oconee Bell, a rare and endangered plant that blooms in the spring. Bring your own boat and launch from the main ramp at Devils Fork State Park or book a trip with one of the local outfitters. So, arrive early to get a spot or come late in the day to catch the sunset. In spring theres great wildflower viewing here, too. Can You Swim at Laurel Falls? The path is paved, making it easier than other trails due to rocks and tree roots. The climb up the icy rocks was a bit tricky to continue the trek. The distance of the hike is fairly short at 2.6 miles round trip, rated low on the degree of difficulty scale and can be completed in about 90 minutes. Proudly selling While this is a family-friendly, paved hiking trail, the paving is cracked and chunky in sections, so isnt ideal for strollers or wheelchairs. We got there in the afternoon, so it was a little busy, but it wasn't bad. A passing mention is made regarding shear dropoffs, etc.The views, the Falls, the foliage are all gorgeous. Is the Laurel Falls Hike Easy? Here's What You Should Know She was wet , messy and not well marked but we enjoyed it! Laurel Falls Trail: Smoky Mountain Hikes Amazing first hike and highly recommend! Laurel Falls Trail Loop: 231 Reviews, Map - Alabama A Hike Through Laurel Valley Offers Stunning View of Falls This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. We actually liked that parking was limited as it kept the crowds at the falls down compared to our last visit a few years ago. Cataract Falls isnt a big waterfall by Great Smoky standards, but its still very pretty and worth the short trip. The trail itself was fine enough. Nice hike but I wish the paths to the water falls were marked better. It is pretty muddy and rocky so good hiking boots are needed. By the 1960s, it had become a popular hiking destination and the trail had begun to erode. Plan on spending five hours hiking, total, if you add this extra loop to your adventure. Winding through the historic Horsepasture wilderness, it follows the path of Laurel Fork Creek as it gently descends through the forest before spilling into Lake Jocassee. Do not follow the silver blazed trail, it takes you out of boundaries. The trail to Falls is easy and the Falls is gorgeous! Just past this youll find the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club cabin, which was built in 1934. Learn more about me. Your email address will not be published. Generally, this area is too crowded to get the shot you want. It was in front of us. Laurel Falls Hiking Trail, Gatlinburg, Tennessee Youll walk through forests of old-growth hemlock and beautiful wildflowers on your way to the falls. It is roughly a 2-hour long round trip. All in all, such a great time!! Thousands of pounds have been wiped off the average price of a house - and experts explain why; an offer to save money on your next railcard is coming to a close in days. I havent been to Great Smoky Mountain Park yet, but definitely adding this hike to my list for when I do get there. more, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Kids took off shoes/socks at the falls and stood in them. Required fields are marked *. Laurel Falls Trail | Review w/ Photos & High Resolution Video If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Laurel Falls Trail is one of the most well known hiking trails in the national park, and it leads to the beautiful 80-foot titular falls that are on many visitors must-see lists. The trail is paved, so no slipping on rocks. - See 1,564 traveler reviews, 1,365 candid photos, and great deals for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN, at Tripadvisor. Laurel Falls - Tennessee | Gaia GPS Laurel Falls Trail An accessible, easy-going hike to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state. RELATED READING: Fore more outdoor adventure check out our guides to other Tennessee Hiking Trails. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 7 min to complete. There are some good rocks on the other side to sit on and enjoy the scenery. Some of the connections needed to be interpreted around the camp sites but all in all pretty easy to navigate. The Official Website of the South Carolina Office of Tourism | 2023 South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. All Rights Reserved. The trail itself was fine enough. Access trail: Laurel Falls Trail Trailhead: From Sugarlands Visitor Center, turn toward Cades Cove on Little River Road and drive 3.5 miles to the trailhead where there are parking areas on both sides of the road. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 11 min to complete. It was a nice beautiful hike with teenagers. The Laurel Falls trail is the most popular hike in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Laurel Falls Trail is one of the most well known hiking trails in the national park, and it leads to the beautiful 80-foot titular falls that are on many visitors' must-see lists. The parking area does fill up quickly, especially during summer, so arrive early to beat the crowds. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 11 min to complete. Inside the crescent-shaped grotto you can watch the cascades flare out into mid air before plunging into the lake. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Boulevard Trail is 9 miles, takes the Appalachian Trail for a stretch, and is beautiful each step of the way. This trail wasnt our favorite due to the crowds. Its best to start this out-and-back at the Gatlinburg end. Laurel Falls Trailhead 105 reviews Unclaimed Hiking, Parks Edit See all 443 photos Write a review Add photo The kids LOVED the plant and animal exhibits and we got to hit the restroom before taking to the trail. First, on a beautiful Saturday , you might need to hike an extra quarter mile from wherever you can find to leave a vehicle. This hike is right next to Mt. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Take your shoes off and get in the water. Discover our favorites in this comprehensive guide to the areas top 13 hikes. Be careful on the wet rocks in and around the water. Turn right onto Dennis Cove Road, marked with a brown national forest campground sign. The trail was very crowded and at times required that we move very close to the unprotected edge. Havent hiked for long now and this post has set my muscles tingling, desperately wanting some exercise. It is an easy trail with a 2.6-mile roundtrip length. TIP: Also see our Insiders Visual Guide to the National Park and with an abundance of different cabins close to the park to choose from, check out our tips on How to Find an Affordable Gatlinburg Cabin, How to Find a Gatlinburg Cabin With Spectacular Views and How to Find a Secluded Gatlinburg Cabin. I love hikes that have waterfalls on them! The views on the way up to the top are breath taking. But navigable and enjoyable. This was on a Wednesday in mid-August about 1:00 pm. or uncover more great South Carolina trip ideas on: A former staffer with The Miami Herald, Marie moved to SC in 1992. Desoto Falls Bottom and Bluff Overlook Loop, Desoto Scout Trail North via Backcountry Trailhead, Little River Canyon National Preserve Backcountry. I wouldnt bring little ones or elderlytoo may risky areas! Winter is the time to see this small but beautiful waterfall! And near the falls, the rocks are very wet and slippery. The trails were a little hard to find because they kept crossing each other. That is indeed a little effort for great reward. Autumn is one of the best times to hike in the Smoky Mountains. Each involves about 4000 feet of elevation gain: This is the most popular way to the top of Mt. This is a lot of water and the currents are strong. Laurel Falls Trail - Review of Laurel Falls, Great Smoky Mountains Take a Right off 441 beside Sugarland visitors center, and youll be to the trailhead in only about 5 mins. Whatever you choose, youll get all the highlights of the Smokies in one hike. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Elevation gain isnt too crazy, but be sure to set aside around 3 hours to complete the hike. You can climb up next to the waterfall on the first tier, too, to take some really cool pictures. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. There are a number of beautiful waterfalls throughout the Smokies, but few are as easy to hike to as Laurel Falls. If you are looking to be amazed, go elsewhere. Gatlinburg is the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where youll have access to over 850 miles of awesome hiking trails. Blue trail becomes unmarked. Please wear proper footwear, take a Michael Hicks - Flickr read more. Visit during the week or on a rainy day (the forest and the falls are beautiful in the fog!). Nothing bad, justfine. It sounds like the perfect type of hike for families and people (like me) who arent up for full days of hiking. When you began the hike, the trail follows Little River Road. 2.5 miles Elevation: 396 feet Difficulty: Easy Type: Out-and-back This is perhaps the most photographed waterfall in the park. The trail is paved at the trailhead but the pavement becomes rough & broken as you get closer to the falls. Sam Schild spends most of his time outside. Booking.com There are many good spots for photos along the path, and mornings and afternoons typically produce some fantastic light coming through the trees that can help set you up for the perfect shot. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN 37738, Moderate hike, beautiful forest and overlooks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Things to Do, things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Smoky Mountain Guided Scenic High Van Tour. You might even see a black bear along the way! Other than that the blue, red and orange trails are marked well. Sometimes it is the best possible idea to do an easy hike this and just enjoy the scenery without all the hard work plus it means you may be able to sneak a second hike in later! Its not a dangerous area but people have fallen over- so We did climb down a cut out trail to a rocky area below the main falls that was a little more steep and required some maneuvering with the kids- but they felt it was such an adventure! By beginning your hike here, you also avoid the most difficult section of the trail. We have a 9 and 10 year old and we reminded them often the side drops off steep and is dangerous. Cost of living - latest updates: Supermarket to 'lovebomb' shoplifters document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Create an account to get access to exclusive pricing and rewards. As such, the path is frequented by families with small children and strollers. Distance: 2.6 miles roundtrip Elevation: 396 feet Difficulty: Easy Kid-Friendly: Yes Wheelchair Accessible: No Restrooms: No Pets Allowed: No. The interesting mix of footbridges includes several with railings handcrafted from tree limbs found in the valley. If you liked this guide and want to share it with your friends, please share away! You should check out the Laurel Falls Hike! The trailhead is at the end of the parking lot on the east side of Laurel Falls State Park. The falls were well worth the hike. This looks perfect. Laurel Falls (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) Take a Right off 441 beside Sugarland visitors center, and youll be to the trailhead in only about 5 mins. My son did slip on the slick algae. There was even a sign close to the falls mentioning to keep an eye on kids, it's dangerous. I love hikes and am not too far away. Those rocks would be slippery, Id head the signs too. Best Hikes in Gatlinburg: 13 Must-Do Trails - My Open Country Wish you were here. Theres lots of moss and rhododendron flowers are everywhere to be seen. Uphill and some On the NPS website the trail is described as easy and suitable for family and kids. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. This goes through dense forest most of the way, crossing several creeks and passing an old cabin and several small waterfalls on the way. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Thanks for reading! That said.this is not an appropriate hike for small children. Part of the 76-mile Foothills Trail, the 8.1-mile Laurel Valley-to-Laurel Fork Falls trek can be shortened to about four miles . Once you get to the top the waterfall is definitely worth the trip. . "One easy waterfall hike." - Review of Laurel Falls, Great Smoky There is potential for parking along the sides of the road. This trail wasnt our favorite due to the crowds. Is Laurel Falls an Easy Hike? But the trail itself offers its own rewards. RELATED READING: For more fun check out our guide to some of the best hiking near Nashville, as well as top Tennessee campsites.
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