Gatlinburg Trail is a 3.8 mi trail with 130 ft of climbing — about 1h 20m of moving time before you stop for anything. Leashed dogs are welcome, and we rate it comfortable from age 4. About 70% of it is shaded, and no refill point is recorded on the route.
Underfoot & overhead river & forest
3.8 mi and 130 ft of climbing work out to 1h 20m of moving time — before you stop for anything. No refill is recorded on the route — you carry all of it. Informational only, not medical advice.
Get the fall refuel plan →NAISMITH · CDC · ACSM · how these numbers are worked out
In July, Great Smoky Mountains National Park runs around 87°F at the main visitor elevation. With no refill recorded on the route, everything you drink starts in your pack.
70°F · Mostly Sunny · wind 5 mph
NOAA forecast for Great Smoky Mountains National Park — not for this trailhead specificallyCherokee Orchard Road is currently closed to pedestrian traffic due to bear activity. All visitors must stay in their vehicles. Do not stop or park your vehicle in the roadway.
Live NPS alert for Great Smoky Mountains National ParkPark Headquarters Road is closed due to rehabilitation work on the Sugarlands water and wastewater systems.
Live NPS alert for Great Smoky Mountains National ParkAbout 1h 20m of moving time for 3.8 mi and 130 ft of climbing — that is Naismith's planning rule, so it counts walking only, with nothing for photos, lunch or the queue at the top.
Planning figures for that much moving time are 0.7–1.3 L, cool day to hot. No refill point is recorded on the route, so you carry all of it. Informational only, not medical advice.
Yes — leashed dogs are allowed on Gatlinburg Trail. Leashes (6 ft max) are required everywhere in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
We rate it comfortable from age 4. It takes a stroller. That rating is our own hand-check of length, footing and exposure, not an official NPS grade.
About 70% of the route is shaded, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park peaks around 87°F in its hottest month. The less shade a route has, the more of it you want behind you before midday.
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