So Who Really Cares?

If you are looking for a leisurely hike near Gatlinburg that is suitable for all ages, consider Porters Creek Trail.  On this hike you will have beautiful views of Porters Creek --- a fast moving creek dotted with large boulders and ample rapids, remains of by-gone days in the form of an old homestead and many stonewalls lining the trail, log bridges, a nice little waterfall, and an abundance of flowers and trees.

Porters Creek Trail is located just north of Gatlinburg off Hwy 321.  Turn east off Hwy 321 onto Greenbrier Road (into the GSMNP) and follow the road until it dead-ends, there you will find the trailhead to Porters Creek Trail.

The trail starts at the barricade at the end of Greenbrier Road and starts as a continuation of the gravel road paralleling Porters Creek.  Don't neglect the chance to stop and view the water as you begin the hike.  Eventually you will start seeing stonewalls which are remnants of an old farmstead.  A mile or so into the hike there is a side trail on the right that takes you to an old farm built in 1875.  If you continue on the original trail it turns into a dirt path and becomes a more traditional hiking trail with rocks and tree roots to navigate.  We were there in the winter and the Rhododendron plants are what caught our eye.

At about the 1-1/2 mile mark you cross the creek on a rather large log bridge with a distinctive dogleg.  The views from the middle of the footbridge back over the creek and the rapids are grand.  From this footbridge the trail gets steeper and in about another half mile you reach Fern Branch Falls to the left of the path.  The falls are tiered and listed as 60-ft high.  The water flows over the trail and down the side of the mountain eventually connecting to Porters Creek.

After Fern Creek Falls the trail leveled out and I walked about another half-mile to where the footpath linked back up with Porters Creek then headed back.  The trail continues on to a backcountry campsite just under 2-miles further on. 

We were on the trail late in the day and saw only a couple of hikers but I understand that it is a popular hiking spot year around.

Porters Creek Trail to Fern Creek Falls is rated easy/moderate and I would consider it a hike suitable for anyone of any age.  It is a 4.2 miles out and back hike with an elevation gain of 700-ft.  Give yourself three hours so that you have time to explore the old farmstead and enjoy the scenery.