Albright Grove Loop Trail

In order to reach the Albright Grove Loop Trail, take Highway 321 from Gatlinburg past Pittman Center. On the right, take Laurel Springs Road to the parking area where the Maddron Bald Trail departs. Hike roughly 3 miles along the Maddron Bald trail until you reach the first Albright Grove Trail junction. The Maddron Bald Trail goes off to the left while the Albright Grove Loop Trail continues straight ahead. The Albright Grove Loop Trail is named after Horace Albright, who was the second director of the National Park Service and worked diligently to help establish Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Grove is home to some of the oldest and tallest trees in the park as the area was not logged by Champion Fibre, who sold the land to the park service. Due to its location in a more remote area of the park, the trail is not heavily traveled, allowing you to enjoy a quiet journey in the woods. After departing the Maddron Bald Trail, the trail narrows and begins to climb for roughly .3 miles as it follows Dunn Creek. Eastern hemlocks and tulip poplars are plentiful throughout the grove. If you have explored other areas of the park that were logged before its formation, youll notice that the trees here are much larger. This is an example of what a mature, cove hardwood forest looks like. Imagine a time when all the forests in the Smokies looked like this. The trail levels off along a ridge before it turns right and descends back to meet up with the Maddron Bald Trail. During the descent, there is a small spur trail that leads to a giant tulip tree, roughly 25 feet in diameter. The trail joins back up with the Maddron Bald Trail .3 miles away from the first trail junction. From here, you can go to the right as the Maddron Bald Trail makes its way towards the Snake Den Ridge Trail or you can go left and head back to the parking lot. For overnight backpackers, consider being dropped off or parking at a business along 321 (for a small fee) as vandalism and theft have been issues here in the past.