Top 5 Must-Visit Historical Hiking Trails in the Smoky Mountains

When families hear “historical hikes in the Smoky Mountains,” they usually think of visiting the Cades Cove area. In fact, there are a lot of historical trails throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With over 850 miles of trails throughout the national park, they all have at least a little bit of history in the making. In this post, we explore the creation of the trails and which trails are best for the winter months.

The historical hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains were created hundreds of years ago. When the first settlers arrived in the Smokies, they settled down in the Cades Cove area. The earliest pioneers, including these people, spent time creating roadways and hiking trails to use for hunting and trading.

1. Cades Cove Area

Without a doubt, Cades Cove is a wonderful place to spend time with your family.There are even a few hiking trails that can be reached from Cades Cove. The people who worked and raised families in this area left behind the historic cabins, mills, churches and schools. These areas are best seen in the winter months because the leaves have fallen and families can see the sites much clearer.

In addition to Cades Cove, the Great Smoky Mountains Association shared 4 great hiking areas for families to enjoy during the winter months. Here’s the places they chose, and which historic landmarks can be found there.

2. Old Settlers Trail

For nearly the first 2 miles of the trail, families will pass the area that’s left of the Greenbrier community.

3. Kephart Prong

The first half of a mile passes an old CCC camp and a fish hatchery.

4. Woody House

The Woody House is a historic home from the 1880s, located on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains.

5. Little Greenbrier

When you take the Metcalf Bottoms Trail, you are a little less than a mile from the Little Greenbrier School. Approximately one mile from the school, you can also see the Walker sisters’ farmstead.

For more information about the history of the Smoky Mountains, click here.