Gregory Bald Trailhead Tallassee, TN 37878

"The 3hr hike to the top was grueling but the reward on top made it worthwhile"

"This was my first solo hike at 16 so it was 48 years ago. I left out of the Cades Cove loop road near the halfway point. It was an excellent walk. I think it took about 8 hrs from there to the top and so much to see along the way. Spent the night at the Gregory’s Bald Trailhead. As I left out the next morning two deer leaped across my path. At first it scared me until I saw it was deer. I think it only took me about 2.5 hours to come down the mountain but I was exhausted. What a trip and all by myself at 16. Great memories… in the Great Smoky Mountains."

"My husband and I went hiking yesterday. We only live 2 hours away so this was somewhat local for us. You have to travel through Cades Cove to get to the trailhead, which can be an added bonus. The traffic is really bad this time of year in Cades Cove though so it took an hour to go 5 miles in a car just to get to the trailhead. This trail is not for the weak. It is strenuous. It's 11 miles round trip. It is 5.5 miles to the bald and it is uphill almost the entire way. Bring plenty of water. The azaleas were bloom and were absolutely beautiful! On the way back, my husband almost stepped on a Timber Rattlesnake. We also saw 2 bears on the way down. We were travelling down the mountain near dusk. Enjoy your hike and I would recommend it!"

"At the top, there were many bushes of mountain laurel in bloom. That is a fifty year old memory of a solo trip from the trail along a creek down towards Gatlinburg."