How to Hike to Laurel Falls in Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is crisscrossed with gorgeous hiking trails, from moderate to challenging. Especially precious are the hikes to the many waterfalls in the park. Plenty of rainfall and steep gradients allows many of the falls to rush year round. Visit the beautiful 80-foot high cascading Laurel Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Touted as one of the easiest and most popular waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains, this 2.6 mile round-trip hike will take you through enchanting pine and oak forests, past a series of tiny cascades, to the breathtaking falls. Follow these steps to learn how to hike to Laurel Falls.
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Things You'll Need
- Sturdy, supportive hiking shoes
- Map of Great Smoky Mountain National Park
- Water
- Camera
Instructions
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Allow yourself at least two hours to enjoy the hike. Try to get an early start. The parking lots for the Laurel Falls hike fill up fast weekends year-round and on the weekdays in the summer. Go south of out of Gatlinburg. The trailhead is located in the parking area, 3.6 miles west of the Sugarlands visitor center, on Little River Road (Route 73). The trailhead to Laurel Falls is in the parking lot on the north side of Little River Road. A park visitor's map clearly defines the location of the trailhead.
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Wear sturdy shoes. This trail is mostly paved, with a slight gradient of 200 feet, and is a good hike for people of all ages. It does have an incline, so be careful and take frequent breaks if you feel overheated. Stay on the trail. Notice the evergreens lining the sides of the hiking trail. These sturdy shrubs are called mountain laurel and are what gave the falls its name. The shrubs bloom in May, so if you're hiking the trail then, be ready for a spectacular display.
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As you continue on the trail, you will notice cascades switch from the right to left hand side of the trail. Enjoy the sounds and sight of these mini-cascades. The trail will keep climbing upward. Along the way, stop and take notice of the many awesome rock formations. This hike has great views of the mountains too.
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After nothing but incline, the trail will drop gradually as it heads to the falls. Then, the paved area will end. Laurel Falls is a picturesque waterfall, with lush green shrubbery and plants gracing each side of the falls. If you go in the summer, you might catch people cooling their feet in the water. Try it, but beware that rocks might be slippery.
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Although most people turn around after seeing the falls, the trail does continue to climb the mountain, but is much rougher and rockier than the lower section. If you plan on hiking up a bit, be prepared for a challenge. It's worth it, though. If you continue for a mile, you will enter a pristine old-growth forest. Be sure to take some pics of this beautiful scenery.
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