The trail was a bit crowded and the parking was difficult, but had a good time overall. Beautiful scenery! Do not attempt to hike the trail in sandals or flip flops. The 2 1/2 year old walked some of it but mostly sat on my son in laws shoulders. Great trail for kids but still challenging for adults because it is uphill most of the way. Trillium Gap Trail to Grotto Falls is a 6.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. I would definitely go… This hike is ideal on a hot sunny day, as the shade from the trees is perfect for keeping you cool. Rated 5.0 /5 based on 4 customer reviews 5.0 2.6 miles 585 ft gain - Out-and-Back Trail Save Add Review Get Directions Add Photo. Grotto Falls Trail, Bozeman: See 31 reviews, articles, and 11 photos of Grotto Falls Trail, ranked No.15 on Tripadvisor among 48 attractions in Bozeman. I think it would be a great running path. Pets and bicycles are prohibited on the trail. Extremely busy on a Saturday. After about 2/3-mile, Keep right on Cherokee Orchard Rd., entering Great Smoky Mountain NP. The hike begins at a trailhead off the mile-long Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, located just southeast of Gatlinburg, TN (view maps and driving directions). This well marked trail is close to but discreet from the Hyalite Creek Trail #427. Grotto Falls are a one of the more well known waterfalls in the Umpqua area. Buses, RVs, and large trucks are prohibited on the road. Still a nice Smoky Mountain stroll! Grotto Falls Trail is a 2.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking. The only difficulties are numerous rocks and roots that just require you to watch your step. There are both coniferous and deciduous trees throughout the hiking experience. Large parking lot, slight uphill path. Occasionally as you go along the forest opens … We went at 10 am but would highly recommend going earlier! 16 parking spaces. The only two trails in the park that allow pets are the Gatlinburg Trail near the Sugarlands Visitor Center and the Oconaluftee River Trail near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. The hike to the falls was slightly inclined, but was still manageable. Great trail and some solid scenery. Date of experience: April 2019. 107 Park Headquarters Road Trailhead: From the parkway in Gatlinburg, turn at traffic light #8 and follow Historic Nature Trail into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Got up early on 11/18 to hike this trail. After driving 0.7 miles veer right onto Cherokee Orchard Road, upon which you'll enter into Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Just beyond this point, looking upstream, Grotto Falls will come into view for the first time. 4.7 (3) ... One of the the more family friendly trails on Nebo Loop, the Grotto Trail is an easy jaunt that engages many of the senses. If the main parking area is full, there’s an … Grotto Falls: the hike. Starting from Light 8 in Gatlinburg, turn onto Historic Nature Trail / Airport Road. I would definitely go These rocks are slippery due to mist and algae. There are a few places where shallow (< 2 inches deep) streams run across the … Over the years, several people have fallen to their deaths and many others have suffered serious injuries from climbing on rocks near waterfalls or along the riverbanks. And the Grotto Falls at the end just round out the loveliness of the hike. Starting at the true trailhead in Cherokee Orchard, the trail itself is 8.8 miles long, 2.8 to Grotto Falls, and 8.9 to get all the way to Mt. There are spots that have a lot of roots or are pretty rocky, but most of the trail is dirt until the last 150 ft or so around the waterfall. If visiting in winter months, be prepared to park outside the closure and walk 2 miles to the trailhead. Read more. The short 0.5 km (0.3 mi) trail goes all the way behind the falls and it is We saw a bear in this trail right before the falls!! The trail is wide and easy, with log bridges placed at stream crossings. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a narrow, winding, one-way road that is closed in winter. We got lucky parking because someone was leaving, but people were parked a mile away from the trailhead. Horses are also able to use this trail. Length 2.6 miElevation gain 534 ftRoute type Out & back Length 6.8 mi Elevation gain 1,243 ft Route type Out & Back Road to trailhead was closed, so we hiked 2 miles to the trail. Nice trail, getting there by car is also part of the fun. The hike to Grotto Falls is gradual and wide and tends to be fairly busy, but past the falls you'll find the crowds diminish on the way to Mt. Trillium Gap Trail is one of the hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains leading to Mt. At 1.2 miles hikers will reach a tumbling cascade. Drive another 2.2 miles onto one-way Cherokee Orchard Loop. The walk to Grotto Falls was a nice walk, and the payoff at the end with the falls was beautiful. Grotto Falls Trail This hike leads to a very pretty This hike leads to a very pretty little waterfall, located along the Nebo Loop Scenic Drive above the town of Payson. This trailhead is accessed by Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, which is closed during the winter. The trail starts out as a wide dirt trail (no pavement here, unlike the nearby Palisade Falls), a perfect trail for dogs or children.The trail climbs only 170 feet over the 1.25 miles to Grotto Falls, making the trail grade something that almost anyone can hike with ease. The 4 1/2 year old walked the whole trail. For the most part the trail to Grotto Falls is a gentle climb along a wide, well-worn path. Do not climb on rocks around the waterfall. Access trail: Trillium Gap Trail on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail This is an intermediate hike along Trillium Gap Trail… The Nebo Loop is renowned for its fall colors, and this is a great fall hike. Other than the crowds, really pretty falls and cool that you got to walk behind it. Parking was packed even at 10 am today. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Buy Pro for the ones you love Buy Pro Trillium Gap Trail meanders through an old-growth hemlock forest and actually runs behind the 25 foot high waterfall. Grotto Falls Trail is a 0.5 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Idleyld Park, Oregon that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. Located at Gatlinburg of USA, this beautiful trail will offer you a charming walk behind the divine waterfall through the Great Smoky Mountains of National Park. (This hike’s popularity often leads to limited parking. We went in the Black Friday so it was busy. You will have such a sweet time. This trail was nice but insanely crowded. LeConte. The secret of the Grottos Trail is not only that it’s an easy hike at the foot of the bluffs, but that it is lined with cold air sinks called Grottos. Trail was very beautiful, all uphill to reach the falls. The trail is primarily used for walking and is accessible year-round. Simply named The Grotto, this narrow bolder-filled canyon with small talus caves covering a creek in the mountains makes a fun destination for a short hike. Decent very populated hike. Dutchman’s breeches also can be found along this trail. Rustic log benches also have been placed in picturesque spots along the trail to rest and enjoy. When you’re done at the falls, simply return the way you came for a total round trip hike of approximately 0.6 miles. This portion of the trail is wheelchair accessible, allowing persons with disabilities to be able to view a very scenic Grotto Falls with surrounding mountains towering above the trail. GROTTO FALLS Start your day on a high note as you take a moderate 2.6-mile roundtrip hike to see Grotto Falls in The Great Smoky Mountains. It is also the trail to Grotto Falls. The hike is 3 miles roundtrip and considered moderate in difficulty. Trail was in great condition. Gatlinburg, TN Located along the Trillium Gap Trail – off the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail – Grotto Falls is a nearly 3-mile-long, round-trip hike that actually runs behind a 25-foot waterfall. Especially since I thought Laurel Falls was really nice. Carry drinking water with you. This short trail leads to Grotto Falls, where water splits and plunges 100 feet over a deeply recessed cliff, creating a double curtain of falling water that visitors can pass behind. Make your way through moist coniferous forest with moss hanging on the trees. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The two mile hike on pavement to the trail was something we didn’t expect, but the Grotto Falls trail was worth it. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Limited parking, so get there early or plan on walking awhile just to get to the trailhead. The falls plunge 80 feet in two segments over a deeply undercut cliff within a dark recess which gives them their name. Pets are not allowed on this trail. This hike is so awesome, gentle and perfect for your family, a date, a lone hike. Only reason a 4 - rated hike was the unplanned 2-mile hike on a paved road to get to trailhead because road was closed. The hike to Grotto Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains begins from the Trillium Gap Trailhead, located just outside of Gatlinburg. 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