Hiking & Trails

Our favorite hiking trails in Bryson City and the Great Smoky Mountains

Our favorite hiking trails in Bryson City and the Great Smoky Mountains

Hiking & Trails

Explore the Great Smoky Mountains

With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Nantahala National Forest surrounding our destination, hiking is naturally one of the most popular outdoor adventures in the Bryson City area. Options range from an easy walk along a mountain stream to a strenuous backcountry hike and even bucket list treks, like the Appalachian Trail. Lace up, choose your route and set your sights on adventure.

There are several pet-friendly hikes near Bryson City. Use our amenity search in the listings below to discover them. Keep in mind that pets are not allowed on the trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with the exception of the Deep Creek picnic area and campground, and the Oconaluftee River Trail in Cherokee.

Our favorite hiking trails near Bryson City are listed below, and you can search by level of difficulty, pet-friendly, or if suitable for bicycles.

Looking for horse trail information? Check out our horseback riding page.

Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail winds through Bryson City and Swain County, and can be accessed at several points throughout the area, including the…

Hiker Shuttle

More Outdoor Adventure Ideas

Tubing

Ready to cool down? Grab a tube and enjoy a float through the Great Smoky Mountains…

Biking

Mountain biking continues to grow in popularity, and Bryson City is no stranger to…

Boating

Fontana Lake, the crown jewel of Bryson City, is your perfect under-the-radar…

Fishing

Bryson City and the Great Smoky Mountain National Forests are some of the most…

Gem Mining

A perfect activity for all ages, our gem mining spots provide you with the best tools…

Ziplining

Channel your inner Tarzan and explore the beauty of our national parks and forests by…

Swimming

Get refreshed with a swim in the Smokies! This seasonal activity is just the cool…

Parks

Bryson City, NC, is known to have parks and outdoor spaces stretching as far as the…

Golf

Grab your golf clubs and get ready to play a round amongst one of the area’s…