About
Length (round trip)5.4 mi
ShapeOut-and-Back
DifficultyHard
Elevation gain1,685 ft up
Typical time3 hr 30 min
TrailheadRainbow Falls trailhead, Roaring Fork
SurfaceRocky, rooty, steadily uphill
Best seasonApril to June for wildflowers, mid-October for fall colour. High elevations are cold and icy from November to March.
DogsNot allowed
AccessibilityTrail is very steep and rocky.
What you'll see 💧 Waterfall🌲 Old growth

Overview Expect extreme crowding and limited parking-consider a shuttle or alternate hikes listed below Hike 5.6 miles (9 km) roundtrip through varied forest to a popular waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park named for the misty rainbow that often appears at its base on sunny afternoons. This trail is well-traveled and maintained, but the climb to the falls is relatively steep with approximately 1,500 feet (457 m) in elevation gain from the trailhead to the falls. See some old growth trees along the trail, along with burn scars from a fire in 2016. This trail is also used to reach Mount LeConte, which is 6.7 miles (10.8 km) from the trailhead. If taking this trail to Mount Le Conte , consider using Bullhead Trail in high water conditions; trail is often icy in winter Length 5.6 miles (9 km) roundtrip Parking & Trailhead Please consider a shuttle or park at Rainbow Falls Trailhead on Cherokee Orchard Road (trailhead can be accessed from either the upper or lower lot). Don't forget your parking tag . Nearest Restroom Pit toilets at trailhead Alternate Hikes Hen Wallow Falls : 4.3 miles (6.9 km) roundtrip Lynn Camp Prong Cascades : 1.4 miles (2.3 km) roundtrip Finley Cane Trail to Bote Mtn Trail to Lead Cove Trail Loop : 6.9 mile (11.1 km) loop

Tips
On a sunny afternoon the mist genuinely produces a rainbow. In hard winters the whole falls freezes into an ice column. Steady uphill the whole way - harder than the distance suggests.
Location

Rainbow Falls trailhead, Roaring Fork

Other Hikers
No one has logged this trail yet.
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