Back Country Trails are for the more experienced hikers, offering an in-depth, backwoods experience, and are rated moderate or strenuous.

• Alum Cave Bluffs Trail
  • 11 miles round-trip, begins at the Alum Cave Bluffs parking area, between Newfound Gap and Chimney Tops. With a 2,800 foot elevation gain, this trail starts off with an easy 1 ½ mile trek, taking you through Arch Rock's erosion-created tunnel. The next 0.8-mile is steeper, taking you to Alum Cave Bluffs, a 100-foot high cliff. The final 3.2 miles takes you to Mount LeConte, one of the most impressive view points of this whole area. The last half of this trail is steep, and at times requires hikers to grasp the trailside cables to traverse cliffs.

• The Appalachian Trail
  • 2,100 miles in all, was conceived by conservationist Benton MacKaye in 1921, with work beginning the next year, and completed in 1937. Stretching from Georgia to Maine, the entire trip takes anywhere from four to six months to complete. Each year hundreds of hikers make the journey, which takes them through 14 states, 8 national forests, 2 national parks and crosses 15 major rivers. Elevations range from 6,643 feet at Clingmans Dome (located in the Smokies) to almost sea level at the Hudson River in New York. The first successful hike of the trail was in 1948, and since then, successful hikers include a 6-year-old boy, several octogenarians, and a visually impaired man with his guide dog.
  • A 68-mile segment of the Appalachian Trail runs through the Great Smokies. A popular segment (8-mile round-trip) is from Newfound Gap to Charlies Bunion, passing through a magnificent forest of fir and unforgettable vistas.

• Boulevard Trail
  • 16-mile round-trip hike, is the easiest of the 5 trails to Mount LeConte, however, many still consider this trail to be strenuous. Follow the Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap to Boulevard Trail.

• Boogerman Trail
  • A moderate 7-½ mile trail, begins at the Cataloochee Campground, and takes you through forests of ancient trees.

• Charlie's Bunion
  • Another moderate trail, 8.8 miles in length, begins in Newfound Gap, and features some of the areas most spectacular views.

• Chimney Tops Trail
  • A strenuous, 4-mile round-trip, starts at the Chimney Tops trailhead, located on Newfound Gap Road, and meanders through virgin forest to the pinnacles of Chimney Tops, and features rock climbing.

• Mt. Sterling
  • Another strenuous trail, 12-mile round-trip trek, begins at the Cataloochee Schoolhouse taking hikers through the high country forests.

• Shuckstack
  • strenuous 10-mile round-trip hike, begins at Twentymile, and features fantastic panoramic views.

• Smokemont Loop
  • A moderate 6-mile round-trip hike, beginning at the Smokemont Campground, encompasses traveling back in time with its trails by historic homes.