About Trillium Gap Trail (to Grotto Falls and Mount LeConte)
55. Ace Gap Trail: Cades Cove, 5.6 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 56. Backcountry Horse Camp Trails (various): Throughout park, designated for horses. [NPS] 57. Balsam Corner Trail: Balsam Mountain, 2.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 58. Bearpen Hollow Trail: Cataloochee, 1.8 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 59. Birch Spring Gap Trail: Cosby, 2.7 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 60. Bradley Fork Trail: Smokemont, 6.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 61. Brightwater Loop Trail: Deep Creek, 0.5 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 62. Buckhorn Gap Trail: Greenbrier, 4.3 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 63. Cades Cove Nature Trail: Cades Cove Loop Road, 0.8 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 64. Cataract Falls Trail: Sugarlands, 0.25 miles out-and-back, Easy. [NPS] 65. Charlies Bunion (via AT from Newfound Gap): Newfound Gap, 8 miles out-and-back, Strenuous. [NPS] 66. Chasteen Creek Trail: Smokemont, 2.2 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 67. Cherokee Orchard Road Trail (closed to vehicles): Gatlinburg, 3.4 miles one-way, Easy. [NPS] 68. Chestnut Branch Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 69. Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail: Kuwohi, 0.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 70. Cold Spring Gap Trail: Cosby, 1.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 71. Cooper Road Trail: Cades Cove, 10.9 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 72. Cosby Nature Trail: Cosby Campground, 1.0 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 73. Creek Walk Trail: Deep Creek, 0.5 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 74. Deep Creek Horse Trail: Deep Creek, 5.0 miles loop, Moderate. [NPS] 75. Dry Sluice Gap Trail: Newfound Gap Road, 2.5 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 76. East Fork Trail: Cataloochee, 3.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 77. Ekaneetlee Gap Trail: Twentymile, 3.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 78. Firescald Ridge Trail: Cosby, 4.5 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 79. Flat Creek Trail: Cataloochee, 2.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 80. Fork Ridge Trail: Kuwohi, 4.9 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 81. Gatlinburg Bypass Trail: Gatlinburg, 2.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 82. Grotto Falls (via Trillium Gap Trail): Roaring Fork, 2.6 miles out-and-back, Moderate. [NPS] 83. Hazel Creek Trail: Fontana Lake (boat access), 15.3 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 84. High Rocks Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 85. Hog Camp Gap Trail: Cataloochee, 3.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 86. Indian Grave Gap Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 87. Jakes Creek Trail: Elkmont, 3.3 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 88. Kephart Prong Trail: Newfound Gap Road, 4.2 miles out-and-back, Moderate, historic CCC camp. [NPS] 89. Lead Cove Trail: Cades Cove, 1.8 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 90. Little Greenbrier Trail: Metcalf Bottoms, 3.0 miles one-way, Moderate, historic schoolhouse. [NPS] 91. Longstreet Trail: Elkmont, 1.0 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 92. Lumber Ridge Trail: Sugarlands, 4.2 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 93. Manway Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 94. Meigs Creek Trail: Little River Road, 3.2 miles loop, Moderate, multiple stream crossings. [NPS] 95. Middle Prong Trail: Tremont, 4.0 miles one-way, Moderate, multiple waterfalls. [NPS] 96. Mingus Creek Trail: Oconaluftee, 5.8 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 97. Miry Ridge Trail: Kuwohi, 5.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 98. Mount Sterling Trail: Big Creek, 5.7 miles one-way, Strenuous, fire tower. [NPS] 99. Old Sugarlands Trail: Sugarlands, 3.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 100. Panther Creek Trail: Twentymile, 2.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 101. Porters Creek Trail: Greenbrier, 3.7 miles one-way, Moderate, Fern Branch Falls. [NPS] 102. Road Prong Trail: Newfound Gap Road, 2.7 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 103. Rocky Top (via AT from Kuwohi): Kuwohi, 5.6 miles out-and-back, Strenuous. [NPS] 104. Roundtop Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 105. Salt House Branch Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 106. Smokemont Loop Trail: Smokemont Campground, 6.1 miles loop, Moderate. [NPS] 107. Spence Field (via Bote Mountain Trail): Cades Cove, 6.9 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 108. Sugarlands Ridge Trail: Sugarlands, 0.8 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 109. Sweat Heifer Creek Trail: Newfound Gap Road, 4.5 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 110. Tricorner Knob (via AT): Various access, high elevation. [NPS] 111. Turkeypen Ridge Trail: Cosby, 3.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 112. West Prong Trail: Tremont, 2.0 miles one-way, Easy. [NPS] 113. Wolf Ridge Trail: Twentymile, 3.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS]
The Grotto Falls trailhead, accessible via the Trillium Gap Trail, is arguably the most popular hiking destination along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The Trillium Gap Trail is a 2.6-mile roundtrip hike (1.3 miles each way) rated as moderate in difficulty, gaining about 500 feet in elevation. The trail meanders through a lush, old-growth hemlock forest, providing a cool and shaded experience even on warm days. The primary draw is Grotto Falls, a unique 25-foot waterfall that allows hikers to walk directly behind the cascade. This rare feature offers an unforgettable perspective and a fantastic photo opportunity.
Due to its popularity, the parking area for Grotto Falls can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons and weekends. Visitors should plan to arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon to secure a spot. The "Park It Forward" parking tag is mandatory for any vehicle parked here for more than 15 minutes. Beyond Grotto Falls, the Trillium Gap Trail continues for several more miles, eventually leading to the summit of Mount Le Conte, making it a segment of a much longer and more strenuous trek. However, most visitors to Roaring Fork focus solely on the Grotto Falls portion.
Trail at a glance
Trillium Gap Trail (to Grotto Falls and Mount LeConte) is 13.6 miles one-way, out-and-back route, 3,000 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous. The trailhead is at Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (seasonal closure), 35.7010° N, 83.4730° W. Expect Grotto Falls, old-growth forest, connections to Mount LeConte along the way.
Best time to visit
Spring brings wildflowers and roaring waterfalls. Summer is busiest — arrive early. Fall is peak season for foliage (mid-October typical). Winter offers solitude, ice-rimed rock, and sharp long views, but expect road closures at high elevations.
Getting there
From downtown Gatlinburg, head toward the park entrances at Sugarlands (Gatlinburg side) or Oconaluftee (Cherokee side). Trailhead: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (seasonal closure), 35.7010° N, 83.4730° W. A "Park It Forward" parking tag is required anywhere inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park for stays over 15 minutes (daily $5 / weekly $15 / annual $40 via recreation.gov or park kiosks).
Know before you go
Carry more water than you expect to need. Mountain weather shifts fast — pack a rain layer and warm layer even in summer. Black bears are active throughout the park. Keep at least 50 yards of distance, make yourself visible, and never leave food unattended. Stay on marked trails to protect fragile ecosystems and avoid getting lost — cell coverage is poor.
Where to stay nearby
Most visitors to Trillium Gap Trail (to Grotto Falls and Mount LeConte) base out of Gatlinburg or the nearby GSMNP area. Cabins, hotels, and B&Bs are all well-represented. See the Stay22 map below for live availability and pricing.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is Trillium Gap Trail (to Grotto Falls and Mount LeConte)?
- Trillium Gap Trail (to Grotto Falls and Mount LeConte) is 13.6 miles one-way (27.2 miles round-trip), with 3,000 feet of elevation gain. It is rated strenuous.
- Do I need a parking tag?
- Yes — a Park It Forward parking tag is required for vehicles parked more than 15 minutes anywhere inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Daily ($5), weekly ($15), or annual ($40) tags are available via recreation.gov or park kiosks.