4 Scenic Hiking Trails in Gatlinburg That Your Team Will Love
If you are participating in a tournament at Rocky Top Sports World and looking for the perfect workout before your match, just head to one of the scenic hiking trails in Gatlinburg! This is a great way to get some exercise and pump up your heart rate while enjoying the natural wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains! Here are 4 scenic hiking trails in Gatlinburg that your team will love:
1. Gatlinburg Trail
One of the best hiking trails in Gatlinburg is the Gatlinburg Trail, which stretches for 1.9 miles from River Road in Gatlinburg to Sugarlands Visitor Center within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail is relatively flat and runs through the forest along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. Your team will enjoy the spectacular views of the river, as well as the foundations and chimneys of several old homesites along the trail! Once you reach Sugarlands Visitor Center, you can talk to a ranger about other recommended hikes in the park or purchase a guide to the park. The Visitor Center also offers restroom facilities and vending machines.
2. Rainbow Falls Trail
Another one of the best hiking trails in Gatlinburg is the Rainbow Falls Trail, which leads to a breathtaking 80 foot tall waterfall! The 5.4 round-trip hike offers a great workout for your team because it’s considered moderate in difficulty and gains about 1,500 feet in elevation. If you prefer an even longer hike, you can continue for about 4 miles beyond the falls to the summit of Mount LeConte. Keep in mind that it takes between 3 to 5 hours just to hike to the waterfall and back due to the trail length, elevation gain and rocky terrain on some sections of the trail. As a precaution, refrain from climbing on rocks around the waterfall for safety reasons.
3. Hiking Trails at Herbert Holt Park
Herbert Holt Park is one of several Gatlinburg City Parks where you can enjoy pleasant hiking trails as well as other recreational facilities. After your team takes a scenic hike through the park, enjoy a picnic lunch among the beautiful background of the Smoky Mountains! Herbert Holt Park is conveniently located just off the Parkway and is only minutes away from Rocky Top Sports World. If you have a team consisting of younger kids, they will appreciate the fun playground facilities as well as the children’s fishing stream!
4. Grotto Falls Trail
If your team has just a few hours to complete a hike, consider heading over to the Grotto Falls Trail! The hike to Grotto Falls begins from the Trillium Gap Trailhead, which is located just off of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The round-trip distance to the waterfall is 2.6 miles, so allow anywhere from 2 to 3 hours to complete the hike to the waterfall and back. The trail is generally considered moderate in difficulty and portions of the trail are rocky, so sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. As with the Rainbow Falls Trail, avoid climbing on the rocks around the waterfall.
We hope that your team enjoys these scenic hiking trails before or after your sports tournament at Rocky Top Sports World! If you are still looking for a convenient place to stay during your time in the Smokies, check out all of our lodging options to plan your visit!
