Chimney Top - Member Hike
| Hike Name: | Chimney Top |
|---|---|
| Country: | United States |
| State: | Tennessee |
| Nearby Town: | Gatlinburg |
| Rating: |  |
| Directions: | The trailhead for Chimney Tops is about seven miles south on U.S. 441 from the Sugarlands Visitor Center on the Tennessee side of the Park. You will pass the Chimney Tops picnic area BEFORE you reach the trailhead. This is not where you want to be. Keep going uphill for about another mile to reach the Chimney Tops trailhead. If you reach Newfound Gap - you've gone too far. |
| Total Hike Distance: | 3.90 miles |
| Hike Difficulty: | Difficult |
| Permit Required: | No |
| Hike Type: | In & Out, Backtrack Hike |
| Hike Starts/Ends: | US 441 |
| Trails Used: | Chimney Tops Trail |
| Backcountry Campsites: | No |
| Backcountry Water Sources: | Streams |
| Management: | National Park Service |
| Contact Information: | Mailing Address: 107 Park Headquarters Road Gatlinburg, TN 37738 (865) 436-1200 |
| Best Season: | Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall |
| Users: | Hikers |
| Road Conditions: | Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads |
| Hike Summary: | The Chimney Tops trail is a steep 1300' climb to a rocky formation made of quartzite and slate. The Chimney Tops rise sharply from the surrounding valley and are a worthy site on their own. But from a recently created platform you can view the surrounding mountains - including Mount LeConte (6,593') across the valley. In the first mile the trail is fairly mild - crossing a series of bridges over Road Prong Creek and ascending only about 300'. However, the Chimney Tops trail gets much more difficult - climbing nearly 1000' in the final mile. The trail was ravaged by fire in 2016 and only recently reopened to the public. The National Park Service still has the final 0.2 miles of the trail gated off to hikers to prevent the badly burned area from further erosion. |
One reply on “Chimney Top - Member Hike”
More nice pics!