Hike 1 · Friday, Oct 16
1Rainbow Falls
5.4 mi · ~1,500 ft climb · Moderate · 3.5–4.5 hrs
Weather: 78°/50°F (26°/10°C), 30% chance of showers. Bring rain shells, and watch your footing on the rocks.
7:45
Leave the Airbnb. Drive is ~45 min through Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
8:30
Park at the trailhead
8:45
Start hiking
~10:45
Reach the falls (80 ft)
~13:00
Back at the car, ahead of most afternoon showers
Parking: Rainbow Falls Trailhead on Cherokee Orchard Rd. From Gatlinburg, turn at traffic light #8 onto Historic Nature Trail Rd. There's an upper and a lower lot, and both fill early. Pit toilets at the trailhead. If both are full, hike Grotto Falls on Roaring Fork Rd instead (2.6 mi).