Hiking the Smoky Mountains Chimney Tops Trail

A Short but Strenuous Day Hike in the Smokies of East Tennessee

Nov 4, 2009 Ronald G Falconberry

The Chimney Tops Trail is a short but steep and strenuous hiking trail in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee which offers a spectacular view to those who reach the summit.

The Chimney Tops Trail is located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The trail is only two miles long but is considered by many to be one of the more strenuous trails in the park. Despite the difficulty of traversing the trail, the Chimney Tops is a popular hiking destination in the Smokies because the view from the 4,840 feet summit offers a spectacular, panoramic view of the Sugarland Valley and surrounding mountains.

Location of the Chimney Tops Trail

The entrance to the Chimney Tops Trail is located on Highway 441, also known as Newfound Gap Road, between Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Cherokee, North Carolina. The trail head is less than nine miles from Gatlinburg and 22 miles from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee. A large parking lot is available at the trail head but it tends to be quite crowded during peak seasons.

The Trail to the Chimney Tops

The horseshoe-shaped path to the Chimney Tops climbs over 1,300 feet from the trail head to the summit. While the lower half of the trail is fairly well graded the upper half is not and can be quite narrow in spots. Tree roots and rocks encroach upon the path at many points so hikers should exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling.

The first mile of the trail is not very difficult starting as a brief descent to a bridge which crosses the Walker Camp Prong of the Little Pigeon River. From there, the trail begins a gradual upward slope and is intersected several times by the Little Pigeon River's Road Prong.

One mile in, at Beech Flats Cove, the trail intersects the Road Prong Trail which, in turn, connects to the Appalachian Trail two miles away. It is at this point that the Chimney Tops Trail becomes steep and strenuous. Near the summit, the trail descends slightly and leads hikers to the Chimney Tops' rocky pinnacles which rise approximately 50 to 60 feet above the path.

To get to the very top of the pinnacles, hikers will have to scramble up the steep, rocky incline using their hands and feet. Most of those who succeed in getting to the top feel that the spectacular view from the summit makes the extra effort worthwhile.

Chimney Tops Trail Scenery

Hikers will experience a large sampling of the Smoky Mountains' natural beauty while on the Chimney Tops Trail. Wooden bridges cross over the Little Pigeon River at several points and offer unobstructed views of picturesque, cascading streams. Nature lovers will enjoy the sights and smells of a wide variety of wild flowers, shrubs, and trees such as rhododendrun, mountain laurel, white trillium, yellow buckeye trees, Fraser firs, Eastern hemlocks and mountain silverbell.

At the very top of the Chimney Tops pinnacles, hikers will have a spectacular, panoramic view of the Sugarland Valley below and of Mount Le Conte and Mount Mingus to the east and south.

What to Take on the Chimney Tops Trail

Because of the physical exertion required, hikers who plan to traverse the Chimney Tops Trail should be prepared.

Shoes – Because of the tree roots, rocks, and mud and the steep climb to the top of the rocky pinnacles, hikers should wear a good, sturdy pair of hiking boots or walking shoes.
Food and Water – With the exertion required to complete the steep climb, hikers should bring water and, optionally, light snacks or fruit. This is particularly true during the heat of the summer months.
Comfortable clothing – Clothes should be loose-fitting to allow for freedom of movement and for climbing. During the fall and spring a sweater or light jacket may prove useful, particularly at the Chimney Tops summit.

Hikers may also consider taking along a camera and a pair of binoculars. The camera can be used to capture images of the vast array of plants, trees, and cascading streams along the trail while the binoculars may give the hikers an enhanced view from the Chimney Tops pinnacle of the surrounding Sugarland Valley.

When to Hike the Chimney Tops Trail

Because the Chimney Tops Trail is one of the more popular hiking destinations in the Smoky Mountains, a constant stream of hikers may be seen on the trail from late spring through early fall. For those who enjoy meeting and talking with people along the trail, this is a great time to go.

For those who wish to enjoy the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains in a quieter, less crowded environment, the trail is open year-round so they may consider going during the off-season.

Additional Reading on the Chimney Tops Trail

Great Smoky Mountains - The National Park Service, a bureau of the United States Department of the Interior, provides maps, pictures, and a wealth of information on the history, culture, environment, trails, attractions, and management of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The copyright of the article Hiking the Smoky Mountains Chimney Tops Trail in Backpacking, Hiking & Camping is owned by Ronald G Falconberry. Permission to republish Hiking the Smoky Mountains Chimney Tops Trail in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Chimney Tops Trail Head	Chimney Tops Trail Crosses the Little Pigeon River	Final Climb to the Chimney Tops Pinnacle is Steep
The Chimney Tops Pinnacle	View of Sugarland Valley from the Chimney Tops