Chimney Tops is a mountain navigated by a steep but short hike through intriguing rock formations created by erosion. Approaching the 4,753-foot (1,449-meter) peak, it is among the park’s most popular hiking trails. Capture photos of the excellent views near the summit of this mountain. Notice that the rocks resemble deer antlers.
Bring snacks and water for the 4-mile (6-kilometer) round-trip trek, which gets steeper as it goes along. The beginning section is serene and follows the Road Prong Creek. Walk across charming footbridges over flowing water and spot the pretty rhododendrons and wildflowers among other vegetation adorning the hills in spring and summer. Many casual hikers find this a good spot to stop to enjoy views before returning to the parking area, as the next section of the trail becomes more challenging.
Stay on the main trail at the fork to continue on the Chimney Tops path. The left fork leads to the Road Prong Trail, which has been in use since the 1700s. Begin to climb toward the peak of Chimney Tops and admire the panoramic vista of the surrounding mountains from the observation point. Imposing peaks that are visible include Mount Le Conte and Mount Kephart to the east and Sugarland Mountain to the south.
After a fire at the end of 2016, the trail was closed for about a year, before reopening to reach the new observation area just short of the summit. Strong winds helped spread the fire across 18,000 acres (7,000 hectares) of woodland. During your hike, be especially careful of anything that could cause a fire. As on all hiking trails, carry out anything you bring with you.
Chimney Tops is in the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Drive south from Gatlinburg for 10 miles (16 kilometers) to get to the trailhead in about 20 minutes. See nearby attractions, including Roaring Fork, Grotto Falls and the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
