As a parent of young children I am always looking for the most child-friendly activities when we go on vacation. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be a natural kid paradise, with streams, a wide variety of wildlife, and unlimited space in which to run around and be as loud as they want. But while the Smokies in general is very child-friendly, many of the hikes are not. I have outlined five hikes in the Smokies which should be manageable by younger children. Of course, you have to use your own judgement since no one knows your child's limits like you do. But in general, these hikes are not terribly steep (rated easy to moderate by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park), fairly short ( 3 miles or less round trip), and offer something interesting to children.
1. Laurel Falls - The most popular waterfall hike in the Smokies, Laurel Falls is one of the best Smoky Mountain hikes for children. This 2.5 mile round trip hike is rated moderately steep by the National Park, but my children never seem to get tired as they alternately run and walk the trail by turns. Most children over age five will find this trail fun to hike, and I've known several children as young as three who can easily hike to Laurel Falls without help. But just in case you have reservations about your very young children being able to hike the trail, you can take a stroller since Laurel Falls is the only waterfall trail in the Smokies that is paved. Once you get to Laurel Falls watch your children closely since the trail gets very narrow as you approach the falls and the drop-off is steep. If you have young children allow at least two hours for this hike. Older ones can easily hike it in less than two hours.
2. Grotto Falls - Another excellent hike for children. Grotto Falls trail is a bit longer than Laurel Falls and isn't paved, but it has several positive points of its own. The falls area itself does not have the steep drop-offs that are present around Laurel Falls. And no child can resist being able to walk behind a waterfall! In addition, Grotto Falls has a large population of salamanders which are fun to search for after you've enjoyed the waterfall. Like Laurel Falls, Grotto Falls is considered a moderately steep trail although the three mile round trip should be easily manageable by children over age four or five.
3. Noah "Bud" Ogle Trail - Located near the entrance to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail just outside Gatlinburg, the nature trail at the Noah "Bud" Ogle homestead is a perfect walk for even very young children. This 3/4 mile loop trail is ideal for exploring with preschool children while also allowing older children to learn a bit of mountain history as well. Just after you begin your walk, at about the .2 mile mark, you will find the remains of a rock wall and chimney - signs of the "weaner" cabin where each of Bud Ogle's sons lived for the first year after marriage. As you continue, the trail is mostly flat with minimal tree roots and rocks for a trail in the Smokies. At about the halfway point of the trial you will find LeConte Creek and a small tub mill once owned and run by the Ogle family. This is a great place to let the children get their feet wet in a mountain stream. The rest of the trail is marked by rocks and is thick with rhododendron. This short, flat trail can easily be enjoyed in thirty minutes or so and has the added benefit of offering a mountain cabin and barn to explore at its beginning.
4. Walker Sisters' Cabin - Located just inside the Wears Valley entrance to the National Park, the trail to the Walker sisters' cabin is another excellent choice for families with both younger and older children. The trailhead is located at the Little Greenbriar Schoolhouse which is also a great place for children to explore. The schoolhouse still contains the children's desks and blackboard which were in use in the 1930's. The trail to the Walker sisters' cabin, while not paved, is one of the smoothest in the park since it is maintained as a road for park vehicles. You should find few problems pushing a stroller along it as long as you realize it is a dirt road which will have occasional tree roots, potholes and muddy spots after rains. The trail is 1.1 miles each way and stays fairly level with only minor hills as it follows the creek to the cabin. As you approach the Walker sisters' homesite you'll first find a springhouse. Ask your children what the building is used for and see if they can guess. The home also has some interesting features including a ladder to the loft and several artifacts found near the homesite by visitors to the cabin.
5. Porter's Creek Trail - Located off Hwy 321E about six miles outside Gatlinburg, Porter's Creek Trail is actually a much longer trail than the previous four "kid-friendly" trails listed. If you only hike to the cabin built by the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club, though, the trail is both easy and short enough for children. The trailhead is accessed from Greenbrier , one of my favorite places to picnic. The trail begins as a roadbed but quickly dwindles to a typical Smoky Mountain hiking trail footpath complete with roots and rocks. At about you six tenths of a mile if you look closely you will find the foundation of an old homestead. A bit further, at three quarters of a mile you will find a mountain cemetary. One mile after you start the trail splits and if you take the right fork you will locate a historic farm site. First you will arrive at cantilevered barn built by John Messner in 1875, followed by the Smoky Mountain Hiking Cabin built in 1934-6. The camping cabin is used by members of the Smoky Mountain Hikers Club, boy scout troops and other groups for overnight camping.
After the initial climb at the beginning of the trail, it levels off with very little change in elevation on the way to the cabin. This two mile roundtrip is rated easy and can be easily hiked by children. If you choose to continue past the cabin, be aware that the trail does get steeper and rougher and is several miles in length.
Directions: From Gatlinburg turn left at traffic light 3 onto Hwy 321 E.
Turn right onto Greenbrier Road, until the road makes a "Y" at the
bridge. Follow Porters Creek Road (gravel) to the trailhead.
Of course, these are not the only appropriate hikes for children in the Smokies. Visit our forums to ask others' opinions on good hikes for children in the Smokies.
|
