horse in a pasture surrounded by mountains

3 Great Hiking Trails for Beginners in the Smokies

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April 15, 2016

What better way to welcome spring than hiking in the Smokies? Plan a mountain vacation in a Gatlinburg cabin! You’ll be close to all the best hiking trails. If you’re a beginner and want to experience hiking in the Smokies, there are many trails tailored just for you! You’ll be hiking the hard trails in no time! But just to be safe, let’s start with these three.

1. Gatlinburg trail

Gatlinburg trail is a wonderful hike for beginners for multiple reasons. Distance and level of difficulty are first and foremost. The trail is 3.7 miles total and is recommended for those of any hiking level. You can even bring your pets! It’s one of the only two in the park that allows pets. You can also ride your bicycle on this trail which makes it even more special.

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Photo courtesy of Anthony Jones.

2. Cove Hardwood Nature Trail

What is your favorite part about spring? The pretty flowers are always a favorite! If you love them too, you’ll love Cove Hardwood Nature Trail. It’s even rated for the best self guided wildflower hike in the Smoky Mountains! The hike is perfect for beginners because it isn’t strenuous and is only a 0.8 mile loop. Bring your camera and grab a map. Have the fun is identifying the different types of wildflowers along the way.

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3. Laurel Falls

Laurel Falls is infamous for the great photograph opportunities and waterfalls. If you love a walk through the Smoky Mountains with breathtaking scenery, you should add this trail to your list. This hike is only 2.3 miles roundtrip and rated “easy” for hiking difficulty. Bring your camera and enjoy this hike. Chase waterfalls and learn to hike at the same time.

Make sure to plan accordingly. Spring is a busy time in the Smoky Mountains! Plan ahead and map out your cabin rentals, hiking trails and more. Pack a camera and some water and hit the trails!

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