This 7.5 mile section of the Appalachian Trail takes the trail
from Clingmans Dome to Newfound Gap and the only time the AT crosses a road
during its 70+ mile journey in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The
trail crosses US 441 at Newfound Gap.
Part of this stretch of the AT coincides with the
Mountains-To-Sea Trail.
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail stretches
1,000 miles from Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge
on the Outer Banks.
You'll notice more hikers along this stretch of the AT because
of the easy trail access from US 441 as well as from Clingmans Dome Road.
There is only one shelter along this stretch of trail. Some thru hikers
find a ride into Gatlinburg, TN for re-supply as well as a off day.
Gatlinburg is 15 miles north and Cherokee, NC is 18 miles south from Newfound
Gap. Both towns are huge resort towns.
This section begins as you pass in front of the observation
tower on Clingmans Dome. This is the highest point anywhere along the
whole AT at 6625 feet. A side trail leads to the tower at the 6643 foot
summit of Clingmans Dome.
Climbing the ramp to the observation tower
There is a steep, but paved trail that leads 0.5 miles from
the tower to a rather large parking area as well as rest rooms. There is
parking for nearly 100 cars and the GPS coordinates are N35 33.409 W83 29.767
for those who have a GPS devise in their vehicle.
From the main AT, passing in front of the tower, reach 6446
foot Mount Love at 0.4 miles. At 2.8 miles the trail reaches 6198 foot
Mount Collins. At 3.2 miles reach the junction of the Sugarland Mountain
Trail. The Mount Collins Shelter is located 0.5 miles along the Sugarland
Mountain Trail.
Black bear at Mount Collins Shelter
This shelter was built in 1960 and sleeps twelve with a privy.
It is located in a spuce thicket. This mountain is names for Robert
Collins, who guided geographer Arnold Guyot's 1850's exploration of the Great
Smoky Mountains. Remember that black bears are very active in this area.
Sign along the Appalachian Trail
Back on the Appalachian Trail, reach the junction of the Fork
Ridge Trail at 3.4 miles. This is where the Mountains-To-Sea Trail leaves
the AT. There is some parking where the Fork Ridge Trail crosses Clingmans
Dome Road. The AT continues to travel parrelel with the Clingmans Dome
Road as it makes its way toward Newfound Gap.
Junction of the Road Prong Trail along the
AT
At 5.8 miles the trail reaches the junction of the Road Prong
Trail. There is parking for a few cars here. The Road Prong Trail
descends 3.3 miles to US 441. The trail also reaches the 1.1 mile Chimney
Tops Trail after 2.4 miles of steady descent.
At 6.5 miles the AT reaches Indian Gap and the old Indian Gap
Road. This is where the original wagon road went through the Smokies
before Newfound Gap. There is a kiosk and remnants of the old dirt road
for those who want to explore. There is parking for about 14 cars here and
the GPS coordinates are N35 36.572 W83 26.793 for those who have a GPS devise in
their vehicle.
Kiosk and sign in background at Indian Gap
It's a popular day hike for those visiting in the area to hike
the AT from Indian Gap to Newfound Gap. The signs say its 1.7 miles, our
GPS tells us its only a mile. Either way, its a pleasant hike along the AT
with an elevation gain/loss of about 400 feet between the gaps.
The AT reaches US 441 and Newfound Gap at 7.5 miles, which
marks an end to this section of the Appalachian Trail. The gap is a very
busy place with other hikers and tourists. There is a huge parking area
for over 130 cars at the gap as well as a rest room (if I remember correctly).
The GPS coordinates are N35 36.665 W83 25.490 for those who have a GPS devise in
their vehicle.
Newfound Gap
We offer the full GPS tracks of the 72 mile section
of the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountain National Park for only $1.97 via a .gpx
file. This file also includes waypoints for the shelters located
along the trail as well as parking areas. A great tool to keep
you on the trail or to make your own maps!
We recommend purchasing any of the following books for those
looking for more information on hiking the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky
Mountain National Park:
Appalachian Trail Guide to Tennessee-North Carolina: 13th Edition
Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Georgia North Carolina Tennessee
Hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Best Easy Day Hikes Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hiking Trails of the Smokies
Trails Illustrated Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Trails Illustrated Great Smoky Mountains National Park Explorer
