Short Easy Hikes & Trails
Near Gatlinburg
2025 -2026
Here is a list of short and easy hikes and walking trails around The Great Smoky Mountains National Park area. These are great for families, kids, some are pet friendly trails and also good for beginners. Journey into
nature and see what awaits on these magical walking trails.
I am including Pet Friendly Walking paths also!
There are only a few pet friendly trails in the National Park, so I will tell you some great spots to walk with your beloved pets too.
Next: Easy Hikes with Waterfalls & Wildflowers
​​QUICK LINKS:
My Cabin Suggestions
My Hotel Suggestions
Attractions
Car Shows
Food & Restaurants
​
Note:
A paid parking tag is required for parking more than 15 minutes. Get daily, weekly, or annual tag
online or at a visitor's center.
More Info Here https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm
​
1.) Seven Islands State Birding Park
(Pet Friendly) 2809 Kelly Lane, Kodak
416 acres of paved walking nature trails!
​
This is off the beaten path, but highly rated. Bring your pet on a leash or in a stroller. (the paved walkway gets very hot in summer). Check out the walking bridge over the French Broad River, The Bluebird Barn, and lots more.
Also this park is very accessible, including parking, paddling launch and restrooms. Look for the Bob White ADA Trail. It goes across the walking bridge to an island. This is a peaceful, different look at The Sevier County area, on the opposite side from the Great Smoky Mountains. (About 55 minutes from the GSMNP) No parking pass required here.
​
See Wheelchair Accessible Cabins
​
​
2.) Sugarland Valley Nature Trail
​​
Right down the road from Sugarland Visitor Center on US 441 South, (3 miles from downtown Gatlinburg) is this paved, wheelchair, stroller friendly, scooter friendly and very kid friendly walk around a half mile loop. There is plenty to see including interesting remnants of old structures and benches to sit down on. Also great for birdwatching and wildflowers in the Spring.
​
This level path follows a creek. Parking is limited so be aware that on the busiest days, you may want to get there early.
​
3.) Metcalf Bottoms Trail to the Historic
Walker Sister's Home & Little Greenbrier School
​This 1800's historic home is where the Walker family lived until the last sister passed in 1964. This trail is easily accessible via the Wears Valley Park entrance. (Wears Valley Road to Line Springs Road.)
​
You can start at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic area, take Metcalf Bottoms Trail to the Historic Little Greenbrier School, then keep going past that on the Little Brier Gap Trail to the old Walker Sisters Home.
​
Pet Friendly Cabins Near Dollywood
Crazy Cool Cabins with Unique Features
Discount Tickets for Attractions
Cabins with Indoor Private Pools
4.) John Oliver Cabin, Cades Cove
​​
Great for wildlife viewing, as you take a walk to this historic 1818 home - the oldest log cabin in Cades Cove. Gentle grade, with about a 5-6 foot wide path. Information placards, bridges, wildflowers, river, waterfalls, and possible bear sightings. ​
According to NPS.gov, "GRIT Freedom Chairs are available for free checkout on a first-come, first-served basis for this path. Trail is almost entirely paved and mostly flat. It gives way to level, packed gravel once it reaches the cabin."
See more about trail accessibility here:
Trail Accessibility Information - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
​
Be prepared to drive the Cades Cove Loop if you choose this trail, and I recommend going early or in off season to avoid traffic. It makes a great day trip!
​
5.) Pigeon Forge Greenway Trail (Pet Friendly)
2936 Teaster Lane, Pigeon Forge
​​
Nice, pet friendly, accessible paved walking trail and path leading around the Little Pigeon Forge River. Great place to see ducks, diverse wildlife, and benches to rest on. Easily park and still have access to The Island and other attractions, but feel like you are away from the hustle and bustle for a little while.
​
They also decorate for Christmas, with a huge light show and magical tunnels to walk through during the holidays.
6.) Gatlinburg Trail (Pet Friendly)
​One of the few Great Smoky Mountain National Park trails that allows pets (must be on a leash). Stroller friendly and kid friendly trail. Wheelchair accessible for much of the way, but there is a footbridge and a slightly steep grade to contend with at certain points along the way. For wheelchairs and scooters, I recommend starting on the Gatlinburg town end, where there is parking as well.
​
The trail follows a gorgeous creek that you can wade into. You can see my photos below.
​
This is not the most quiet trail, it is very popular and you can hear traffic from the road at times, but it is very worthwhile if you are looking to slip into nature easily and go on an easy walk with kids and pets.
​
As you exit the Gatlinburg main Parkway into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, it is the 1st pull off you come to on your right.
7.) Spruce Fir Nature Trail
Just under 1/2 a mile loop, makes a great stop off before or after Kuwohi Overlook!
​
If you are find yourself heading to (what used to called), Clingman's Dome, now known (since 2025) as "Kuwohi Overlook", take Kuwohi Rd. about 4.4 miles from the Kuwohi Overlook Trailhead, to this short and pretty trail. ​Easy to park, planks to walk on, peaceful and usually not overly crowded. Great reviews for this trail.
​
​
8.) Cataract Falls Trail
​​
Ok...the best way I can explain how to start this hike, is to find the bathrooms at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. It's a great and convenient place to start a hike anyways. You actually start out on what is known as Fighting Creek Nature Trail, but you will want to make a right turn at the signs pointing you toward Cataract Falls, a cute little waterfall and a lovely nature walk.
​
This is a pretty,, medium sized waterfall (depending on recent rainfall), with bridges, creeks and scenery along the way that make it fun and the waterfall is a nice ending! It is possible to take a stroller, but there are many tree roots you will need to contend with, but my sister and I did it with 4 of her grandbabies, one in a stroller and it was not too bad. Better than carrying a toddler the entire way.
​
Bear spray can be bought with a holster, and can be great for peace of mind while hiking. While 99% of the time, bears are not aggressive, it's nice to have just in case of an unexpected encounter.
Getting Married Around Gatlinburg?
​
​​​QUICK LINKS: