Laurel Falls

Turn off Highway #441 S at the Sugarlands Visitor Center onto Fighting Creek Gap Road. Continue along the road for about 3.5 miles and look for the obvious trailheads (there are two and the Laurel Falls Trailhead is on the right side of the road). The beginning of the trail is well-signed.From the parking lot, begin hiking up the Laurel Falls Trail which gently winds its way along the mountainside. You'll pass through typical, lush Great Smoky Mountains foliage and cross a couple of creeks before reaching the falls. The falls have two parts, and a bridge crosses between them, offering a very close-up waterfall experience. Once you've had your fill at the falls, head back down to the trailhead. Or, if you'd like more of a hike, continue up the Laurel Falls Trail to the Cove Mountain Fire Tower. This trail is usable year-round, but the pavement is pretty rough in places and can be very slippery if it's wet, icy, or snow covered.

This trail was originally paved in the 1930s for a project that aimed to pave routes all the way to the summit of Cove Mountain to provide access in the case of a fire. The project was never completed, and the trail is now paved to increase its durability given the popularity of Laurel Falls and the high visitation it receives.