Clingmans Dome Loop Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC, TN
miles
LENGTH 1.8 MILES
DIFFICULTY 3.5 Easy
DURATION 1 hour
ELEVATION GAIN
470
feet
TRAIL TYPE
Loop
Clingmans Dome Loop

While the vast majority of people visiting Clingmans Dome stay on the paved path, venture past the pavement just a bit for a short trip down the Appalachian Trail. From the 54 foot observation tower, straddle the North Carolina and Tennessee borders to make Clingmans Dome a more interesting hike.

If you’re looking for solitude, look elsewhere. The large parking lot at the end of the 7 mile access road to Clingmans Dome immediately tells you how much traffic this summit sees. Restrooms are available at the parking lot and just up the trail is an information center and store. But you don’t have to wait for the views; the parking area is home to massive views to the southwest, including Fontana Lake.

Although the paved trail is only .5 miles to the base of the observation tower, it gains 360 feet over the short distance. As you climb, the view from the parking lot gets better and better, but only hints at the what's to come. Just before reaching the observation tower, a couple of side trails split off to the left, connecting with the Appalachian Trail that passes nearby. This is the highest point along the entire AT, stretching from Georgia to Maine.

Perched atop Clingmans Dome at 6,643 feet, the observation tower offers expansive 360° views. From here, you can see Gatlinburg, Cherokee, Mt. LeConte, Thunderhead Mountain, and even Mount Pisgah and Cold Mountain in Pisgah National Forest. Information signs for each cardinal direction help locate notable peaks and other points of interest.

Once you finish soaking in the views, hop on the AT via the short connector at the base of the tower and head southbound by following the sign in the direction of the Double Spring Gap Shelter. Walking along the ridgeline offers a few views but you'll quickly come to the intersection with the Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail on the left.

This rocky trail is the path less travelled to get back to the parking lot. Though not as scenic as the paved path, you'll avoid the crowds and find a little solitude on you're way back down. Pass the Forney Ridge Trail on your right before arriving right back where you started. If you want something longer, head down the Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald for more great views.

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Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)
Terrain Map Click to control map
Details
length1.8 miles
difficulty3.5 Easy
duration1 hour
features Paved Path  Summit  Views 
trail typeLoop
blazeWhite (AT)
elevation gain470 ft.
park/forestGreat Smoky Mountains National Park
ranger districtGreat Smoky Mountain National Park
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-436-1200 (dial 0 for the Visitor's Center)
parking feeNone
trailhead coordinates 35.556866, -83.496239 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 35°33.41, W 83°29.77 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 35°33'25'', N 35°33'25'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Trailhead Directions
35.556866, -83.496239 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 35°33.41, W 83°29.77 most GPS units use this one
N 35°33'25'', N 35°33'25'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Google Map It
From US 441 head down the 7 mile Clingmans Dome Road. This road is closed from December 1st to March 31st.
Notes
For up to date park and road closures, visit GSMNP Alerts or follow @SmokiesRoadsNPS on Twitter.
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Reviews / Comments
Average Review Rating
5 (1)
hikethesouth-6 years ago
Short But Amazing
Yes this is a tourist hike, but it's still amazing. You cannot beat the views from the observation tower. This loop allows you to get off the pavement, if only for a short period, and experience a little more rugged and quiet terrain.
Easy | Hiked Summer 2013
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