Chimney Tops Trail
Chimney Tops Trail
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
466 reviews
Excellent
367
Very good
79
Average
15
Poor
2
Terrible
3
wetravelalot007
Rossville, IN1,297 contributions
Oct 2022
This is the toughest hike we have had in the Smokey Mountains. The sign says it is 1.75 miles to the end of the trail. Our hiking app said we walked a little over two miles up the mountain gaining 1,442 feet of altitude. This trail has over 600 steps (we did not count them but saw someone report it on YouTube – so it has to be right 😉). We would not question that number. It seemed every turn there were more stairs to endure. We thought we were in decent hiking shape having hiked two 6K peak mountain tops just a couple weeks ago. This one was more difficult for us than that trail. It is the continual climb that is the difficult part.
Once you are at the top you get some great views. The most interesting part of this trail is now shut down. You used to be able to scramble to the top of the Chimney tops. That is a very technical and not for the faint of heart as it looks very unforgiving. Any misstep would not be a positive experience. In 2016 the massive fire that spread through the Smokey Mountains and Gatlinburg caused the Park Service to shut this section down. People do still find a way to get there going around barriers but it is against the law, so we opted to follow the Parks recommendations.
The trip down worked a different set of muscles so it was not as much fun as we thought it would be. On the way up we worked the cardiovascular system and hamstrings. On the way down our knees and feet were feeling the experience. This trail has its challenges in both directions.
There are four opportunities to see small waterfalls on this hike. The views from the top are very good as well. Our hiking app said we walked 4.16 miles round trip to the car. The hike took us 2 hours and 19 minutes. However, our total time on this trail and at the top was 3 hours. That includes some breaks to observe the beauty (i.e. catch our breath) and a nice break at the top of the mountain. We are very glad we did this hike but not soon to repeat it.
Once you are at the top you get some great views. The most interesting part of this trail is now shut down. You used to be able to scramble to the top of the Chimney tops. That is a very technical and not for the faint of heart as it looks very unforgiving. Any misstep would not be a positive experience. In 2016 the massive fire that spread through the Smokey Mountains and Gatlinburg caused the Park Service to shut this section down. People do still find a way to get there going around barriers but it is against the law, so we opted to follow the Parks recommendations.
The trip down worked a different set of muscles so it was not as much fun as we thought it would be. On the way up we worked the cardiovascular system and hamstrings. On the way down our knees and feet were feeling the experience. This trail has its challenges in both directions.
There are four opportunities to see small waterfalls on this hike. The views from the top are very good as well. Our hiking app said we walked 4.16 miles round trip to the car. The hike took us 2 hours and 19 minutes. However, our total time on this trail and at the top was 3 hours. That includes some breaks to observe the beauty (i.e. catch our breath) and a nice break at the top of the mountain. We are very glad we did this hike but not soon to repeat it.
Written October 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ttiottn1
Ohio360 contributions
Sep 2022
If you can handle a strenuous trail 1.8 miles up (3.6 miles RT) then this is a must do hike for you! We planned accordingly and the pay off of the view from the official end is totally worth it. You are NOT supposed to hike past the gate onto the actual chimney top but when we got to the top, people were on it coming down. Even if the trail was open, I would not attempt it; too treacherous. So still worth it to see the view at the end.
Written September 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ed S
Ridgeland, MS24 contributions
Nov 2020
Extremely well-done trail with fantastic views. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has no doubt put countless hours into building and maintaining this trail. It is a challenging trail with lots and lots of steps and while the view at the end is breathtaking, there are many opportunities along the way to see beautiful streams and other beautiful valley views. We arrived at the trailhead around 8am and were some of the first hikers there but by the time we got off the trail about 10:30am, people were already fighting for our parking space, so I would suggest arriving relatively early.
Written November 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cody K
Bellefontaine, OH36 contributions
Jul 2021
This is a very difficult trail with many steep climbs and stairs. It is almost 100% uphill on the way to the view the chimney tops. The view is great with panoramic views of the mountains and great shots of the chimney tops. When we went, the trail over to the chimney tops was closed due to the wild fires a few years earlier. Probably not a great choice for younger children as they will find this very difficult and boring. The hike up to the top does not offer very many views of anything exciting. This is also a very popular trail with limited parking at the trail head, there is more parking on the side of the road though.
Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lissette A
2 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
The bridges and waterfalls on the first part are beautiful ❤️ The trail is strenuous. If you're not used to walking uphill even a little bit it may not be the hike for you. It will take two hours to get to the top if you're walking with young kids. And our mile tracker counted over 5 miles round trip and not the 3.3 miles we saw advertised.
Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Apples1970s
131 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
This is a great day hike for anyone who is visiting the Smokey mountains. If you only have one day to hike, I would highly suggest this one. The only real negative thing about it is that the best part of the trail is gated off. Most people just walk around it and keep walking. I understand that the last part (the part shut off) was closed after the big fire. Unfortunately, this section has the best views. There are some tricky spots to navigate and I can see why they shut it off, but if you want really good photos, you have to do some real mountain climbing. One note- this is a short trail (4 miles too) but is is a steep 1400 foot incline. Easy to walk trails. The bathroom is at the picnic area, a few miles down the road before you get to the trail head.
Written May 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fsdrummer85
Belton, TX30 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
This trail is beautiful don’t get me wrong. You walk along a river at the base of the trail and it’s awesome. But this trail is also very tough with a 1,200 ft. elevation ascent to the top. It’s 2 miles to the top from the base and the trail is very doable but be ready to climb a lot of stairs and have an elevated heart rate. Make sure bring enough water and you’re fine. Not being able to go all the way to the chimney tops is a little bit of a bummer, but the view at the top is still pretty cool.
Written August 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curiouspb
Boyertown, PA488 contributions
Jul 2021
So if you do not have the ability to walk the entire trail, the short walk will reward you with a little waterfall and a beautiful bridge and scenery and make for some great photo opportunities. I do not think there would have been anyway I could have made the entire hike/walk to the top. I was able to get through Laurel Falls and Grotto Falls but this is a much tougher walk/hike and terrain. Important to note the other hikes were not done in the same day nor in days next to each other. I spaced them out so I could enjoy the nature trails and Gods beauty. I took my time along with my friends and we chatted along the way and stopped for photo opportunities on the way up and back on the various trails. I do wish people would learn how dangerous the paths are and not think flip flops are appropriate footwear on a hike/walk. Remember to always take water and trash bags
Written July 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tosl
Jersey City, NJ780 contributions
Jul 2023
It was humid but sunny and a great introduction to hiking in the Smokies. The trail is very well maintained but it is a steep 1.8-mile hike to the observation post, but a relatively easy downhill on the same stair-filled trail. Trailhead was filled by 8 am on a Wednesday and I passed about 100 people so you will be sharing the trail. Sadly, I saw no bears on this day.
Written August 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather C
8 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Our family of 4 (2 adults in average shape, 2 teens) made it up to the lookout (as far as you can currently go) in just over an hour and back down in just under an hour. The hike to the top is ALL UPHILL! And as tough as that was (on the cardio side), coming down was even harder (on the legs and knees). Pack snacks and water. You can sit at the top and enjoy the view for as long as you want (as long as it takes to get up the strength to hike back down). Make sure once you get to the top, to go just past the landing to the left for a nice photo opp. The trail itself is absolutely gorgeous! If you choose to just do the lower portion and not climb a single step, you'll still see some of the best scenery around. We got lucky and found a parking space at the trailhead at noon on a Friday. There were other people on the trail but nothing crazy. Not too crowded at all. Easy to let others pass. If you can stand the climb, I recommend this hike.
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
architek920
Chicago, IL77 contributions
Hi Gary,
I'm heading to that area at the end of March (3/28-4/1) with my wife and 2 daughters (7th grade and HS Freshman)....So sad about the Fire, but still looking forward to seeing the area...
I understand that some of the trails are closed, like Chimney Top....Can your recommend some other trails that are open, that have great views?
Thanks in advance.
Gary M
Sevierville, TN570 contributions
Most of the other trails are open. If you are up for a tough hike Mt, Cammerer fire tower is a great but hard hike. Charlies Bunion is a great but hard hike. If you are looking for something easy to get to Clingmans dome has great views with just a 1/2 mile hike but it is up hill at 6500+ feet in elevation but in late march early april the views should still be good and fairly haze free, depending on the weather of course.
Mommika
Toronto, Canada72 contributions
Love the idea of walking here after long car journey to get to the city. How long to walk the full line at medium-ish speed?
We are a reasonably fit family with two teens and an 8-year-old who is pretty good about keeping pace.
Peggy O
Asheville, NC88 contributions
A question: Did the reviewer mean to post on Chimney Rock, rather than Chimney Tops? I think the trails are quite different, and it might get someone in trouble if they tried Chimney Tops thinking it had an elevator and was very easy, when that actually describes Chimney Rock, which is not in the park (it's near Lake Lure, southeast of Asheville).
Gene H
Seymour, TN415 contributions
Hello Peggy.
No, I did not mix the two names. Chimney Tops are two tall outstanding features in the Great Smoky National Park, on the TN side. There are hiking trails to get to the top and it is a very popular but difficult endeavor.
Chimney Rock is also an outstanding geological formation, located south of Ashville NC, and yes, it has an inside the formation elevator that takes you to the top observation deck.
I have been to both.
Thanks for asking and I hope this information is helpful.
Nicole S
Nashville, TN150 contributions
Hi, I'm considering taking this trip but I am also majorly out of shape. I made it to Clingman's Dome but I did have to take breaks because it was so steep. If you want to make it to the top, do you think the hike is dangerous for unexperienced hikers? When I look at those pictures it loooks impossible to get up and, more importantly, down that flat rock. Is there actually a safe way to get up there?
Thanks in advance :)
If Clingmans Dome left you breathless, you'd likely not survive Chimney Tops Trail. Once at the top, the climb to the top of the rocks, IMHO, is not safe at all. I cringe when I watch folks go up there.
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Chimney Tops Trail Information
Excellent Reviews | 367 |
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Very Good Reviews | 79 |
Chimney Tops Trail Photos | 540 |