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Porters Creek Trail Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 184 Google reviews · Running trail in Gatlinburg, Tennessee · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Porters Creek Trail Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Natural area, featuring a cabin and waterfalls along gravel trails.
What runners say about Porters Creek Trail Trailhead
“Pretty gentle grade for our mile hike up the mountain with beautiful scenery next to the river.”
“Very easy walking on the trail up to the cabin, but some up grade.”
This was the best easy trail we did in the park on our trip. The views are beautiful, the crowds are light, and parking is easy. The road to the trailhead is partially gravel and is often only one lane, so exercise care and cause as you come in. The initial trail to the cabin is very easy and leads to a bit of history.
This trail is awesome. It starts out pretty calm and is gravelly. There are a ton of side trails to go off on if you want to explore a little. The water is very clean and very cold. After about a mile on the trail you will see it get a little less friendly. Roots and rocks start to get in the way.
10/21/23, We arrived around. 8-9am in the morning and there was plenty of parking. Got back around noon and there were still many spots. For a Saturday during fall leaves season, this trail was not very busy at all. I highly recommend checking out the graves and historical sites.
Every hike in the Smokey’s has beauty marks. Went on Tues in hopes of ranger hike but maybe I needed to reserve. We met others who had the same bad info. Still wonderful
Trail conditions & character
“The waterfall towards the end can be reached with some off trail hiking but not much water flowing.”
“Though there are many parking spots, I advise getting to the trailhead early as the parking lot fills up quickly.”
“The road to the trailhead is partially gravel and is often only one lane, so exercise care and cause as you come in.”
“Past the cabin and barn, the walking is a lot more difficult due to root and rocks.”
“It crosses a big log bridge and begins to climb steeper as it leaves porters Creek on your right.”
“There are bathrooms and a parking pass kiosk on the road to trailhead.”
Plan your run at Porters Creek Trail Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
Running trails near Gatlinburg
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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