Best trails near Peregrine Peak

Sparse ice patches up to Peregrine Peak, watch for falling ice when you get close to the large overhang. Great weather for the trail otherwise!

don't do this loop as I tried. the last road part isn't worth the loop by Peregrine Peak & Roch Arches. The Appalachian trail is really enjoyable to hike in.

One of the best hikes I’ve ever done. I originally only planned to go till peregrine peak but once I got there the fog was covering the view. The hike had me hooked the entire time. Whether it be the rapids, waterfalls, caves, bridge crossings, the mountain top views, or the cliff side traverses. 10/10.

Very cool trail with the arch walk and lookout point by Peregrine peak. Definitely the best hike I’ve been on for the distance walked while in Tennessee. I would recommend bringing snacks and sandwich and a few bottles worth of water a person (canteen would be the way to go). Will bring the rest of family to do this trail next visit!

Few people on the trail with 20 degree temp all day. Very icy after Peregrine Peak, turned and came back for 6.3 mi total up and back. Steepest part is after Alum Cave Bluffs. Boots, Yax or spikes, and pole(s) strongly recommended after the Bluffs. Another two inches of snow Monday evening Dec 2.

Awesome trail with gorgeous views at the top. Arch rock was pretty cool as well. First portion of the trail has only slight elevation, which increases toward the end culminating in about 50-60 or so stairs to the Bluffs. Went a little further up the trail to see the top of Peregrine Peak and it does get more rocky and treacherous depending on weather with drop offs near the side. Got there a little after 7am and didn’t have too many people but it was significantly busier on our way back. Worth it but I’d try to avoid peak time around late morning/early afternoon.

Incredible hike. Definitely a technical climb that is 60% uphill. The stream and arch were beautiful and the “cave” (more of a large cliff) was also impressive. The clouds cover most of the view at the top but still a worth while hike.

Pretty nice trail clearly marked and worn path. Started just before sunrise at 6:15 and was back down by 9. More people started coming up by 7:30/8 and a little more crowded on the way down. Otherwise good trail and workout

Fantastic hike. We went up past Mt Laconte and made it to Myrtle point. The whole trail was amazing! Worth doing! We saw all ages from 7/8-90s+ and all skill levels. Take your time and you can make it! The views were amazing. Definitely want to do this one again ! My phone did die at one point so I think we actually walked about 2 miles more than what it recorded but we started at 7am and were down by 4:30 pm. We enjoyed several stops including lunch at the top.

Alum Cave was a beautiful hike up. Unfortunately, lots of day hikers leaving food and trash along the trail. People need to clean up after their kids. Also grown adults throwing pieces of their sandwiches to birds, really sad to see. Leconte was absolutely gorgeous but the wind made it feel 10 degrees colder at night. We camped at the Leconte shelter which was in good shape. Again, unfortunately there were 2 large groups of irresponsible people, without permits to stay, trying to start forest fires in heavily wooded areas. It’s such a gorgeous area, but if people don’t follow the rules, it won’t stay that way and we will end up like California, on fire! On the way out, we met an Appalachian Trail Ridge runner with a mammoth pack who was doing trail maintenance. On her short section she had picked up well over 10 pounds of trash and was struggling to carrying it out. Note, you need parking passes to park in the Smokies now. They were ticketing cars without permits. Get to trailhead early to avoid waiting for parking. It was really easy to get a parking pass at the Sugarlands visitor center on the way in. There is a kiosk to buy parking at newfound gap but not Alum Cave.

We got on the trail. Early parking was busy, not terribly crowded.