Summary:
Climb to summit formations known to the Cherokee as ‘forked antlers’ for a stunning panorama.

The first 1.1 miles climbs alongside a boulder-filled river, through beautiful deciduous trees and large rhododendron bushes. Periods of steady climbing are eased by level sections, and the track is wide and generally easy under foot. Occasionally, you cross the river using wooden footbridges.

After about 25 minutes, a couple of minutes after you cross the last of the bridges and climb away from the river, a trail junction is reached. Turn right for Chimney Tops.

10 minutes from this junction, after a steady climb, the track gets more rugged and an unrelenting, steep climb begins. Fortunately, after 20 minutes or so the gradient eases up, even descending for a short time. The path is now eroded and very narrow in places.

A level path leads along a tree-covered ridge and, after negotiating some large boulders and tree routes, the large rock mass of Chimney Tops looms before you. An exciting scramble takes you to the top (not advised if you don’t like heights). Alternatively, an easy path skirts to the right of the outcrop, just requiring a short easy scramble at the end to the top of the rock. You are greeted by an awe-inspiring 360-degree panorama of forested mountain slopes stretching away into the distance, with the added bonus of beautiful autumn leaf colors in October.

This is a popular hike in a popular National Park, so start early and avoid the weekend if possible. We hiked mid-week in October, and the trail was relatively quiet (unexpected, given the number of cars at the trailhead), but it did get a bit crowded at the top.

Directions: Follow US 441 – Newfound Gap Road – through the Park.

Trailhead: Signed parking area on Newfound Gap Road, approximately 6.5 miles south of Sugarlands visitor center at the north entrance and 5.5 miles north of Newfound Gap.

Length: 4 miles / 6.4 km

Trail Type: Out and back

Elevation Change: 1,300 ft / 396 m

Duration: 2.5 hours

Trail Condition: Clear and easy to follow. Very steep in places and some easy scrambling required at the end.

Features: Panoramic view over forested mountain ridges.

Climate: Hot and hazy by mid-summer, with thunderstorms. Changeable conditions in early spring and late fall. Plenty of snow in winter at these high elevations.

Accommodation: Camping in the Park – the nearest sites are Smokemount to the south or Elkmont to the north-west. Plenty of motels just north of the Park in Gatlinburg, or south of the Park in Cherokee, North Carolina (both on US 441).

Trail Notes: Trail maps and guides available from Sugarlands visitor center at the north entrance or Oconaluftee visitor center at the south entrance.