Trail Run Project Logo

A good route for wildflower viewing that descends along a ridgeline to Springhouse Branch Trail.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

5.5

Miles

8.8

KM

79%

Runnable

6,176' 1,882 m

High

3,945' 1,203 m

Low

160' 49 m

Up

2,391' 729 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

28%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers

Clingmans Dome Road is open April 1 - November 30, 2016, weather permitting. It is closed if Newfound Gap Road (US HWY 441 between Gatlinburg TN - Cherokee NC) is closed due to snow, ice or other conditions. For park road conditions, information can be found at twitter.com/smokiesroadsnps or by calling (865) 436-1200 and dialing extension 2, 2.

Runner Notes

Narrow, rocky, and wet in various sections of the trail, all making running difficult.

Description

To reach the trailhead, drive 13.2 miles south from Sugarlands Visitor Center on Newfound Gap Road to Clingmans Dome Road. Turn right and drive another 7 miles to the end of the road where you reach the parking lot. Look for the trailhead at the end of the parking lot by the access road to the Clingmans Dome tower.

As you follow the Forney Ridge Trail, at .1 mile, the trail takes left while the Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail continues straight to the Appalachian Trail. You'll descend through a forest sprinkled with dead trees. These firs are dead due to the infestation of the balsam wooly adelgid insect. You'll notice these dead trees throughout the Clingmans Dome area.

The rocky and root strewn trail continues to descend until it levels out along the ridge. Throughout this section of the trail, various wildflowers bloom in the spring and then later in the summer, and raspberries and blackberries ripen as the season progresses towards fall.

At 1.1 miles, the Forney Creek Trail breaks off to the right as it makes its way to the Lakeshore Trail. Our trail, Forney Ridge Trail, continues straight at the junction. The trail can be very muddy and eroded in places, so the Friends of the Smokies have put in log trails in sections to help combat this problem. Utilize these elevated logs to help keep your feet dry and preserve the trail. After a level stretch, the trail climbs steeply back into a forest of spruce trees. Once the trail levels out, it drops down toward Andrews Bald at 1.8 miles where views of the Smokies open up before you. The large, open, grassy meadow is a great place to sit and enjoy lunch or a snack before you continue on your way. Flame azaleas and Catawba rhododendrons bloom in late June, putting on a spectacular show of color for wildflower enthusiasts. Once you've enjoyed the views and a snack, the trail continues for another 3.6 miles.

In the final miles of your journey, the trail continues down the ridge line until it reaches a narrow exposed end of the ridge. The trail continues to descend, crossing some wet areas caused by springs on the uphill side. This whole area is great for wildflower hunters. At 4.25 miles, the trail levels out and is less rocky as the trail transforms into hard-packed dirt. The trail descends until it reaches the junction with Springhouse Branch Trail. It's a long climb back up to your car, or you can explore the other trails in the area.

Flora & Fauna

Flame azaleas and Catawba rhododendron come into full bloom in late June or early July, making this a popular route for wildflower lovers. Raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries can also be found in the area.

Trillium, blue bead lily, lousewort, trout-lily, and other spring wildflowers can be found throughout the cooler, damp areas of the trail.

Contacts

Shared By:

David Hitchcock

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 7 votes

#11226

Overall
  4.0 from 7 votes
5 Star
29%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
29%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#423

in North Carolina

#11,226

Overall
11 Views Last Month
3,696 Since Sep 4, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
71%
0%
29%
0%

Photos

Andrews Bald.
Jun 11, 2016 near Bryson…, NC
Andrew's Bald - 06/09/16
Jul 16, 2016 near Bryson…, NC
Good morning, Great Smokies!
Aug 4, 2016 near Bryson…, NC
Andrews Bald and the Smokies on a relatively clear day.
Feb 6, 2016 near Bryson…, NC
In areas that were susceptible to mud and erosion, the Friends of the Smokies helped install elevated boardwalks in sections of the trail to help preserve the area and make traveling along this trail a little easier.
Feb 6, 2016 near Bryson…, NC
View from the very beginning of Andrews Bald!
Jun 28, 2018 near Bryson…, NC

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.