Rainbow Falls Trail

Beautiful trail that is a good 5.5-6 miles. The waterfall at the end is a nice refreshed to look forward to at the end.

The entire trail top to bottom is great. All of the improvements are from the trail head to the falls. Beyond that, it's pure back country as you'd hope for. The final mile is a killer gradient that is extremely rewarding, but a humbling experience!

Great waterfall and great hike to get there. Several small waterfalls along the way.

Beautiful waterfall trail. It had surprisingly a lot of elevation gain. The trail itself is pretty short, but the elevation gain makes it a lot harder. Most of it is in the woods except for a few views and small waterfalls, but the waterfall at the end makes it all worth it. You can also walk behind the waterfall. The rainbow caused by the waterfall was pretty visible but less visible on camera, so there’s an edited picture attached to help you see it better.

Beautiful trail! It’s definitely more of a 6 mile round trip. Lots of roots and large rocks on the trail to trip you up. Most would label it moderate since it is up hill to the falls. We saw a bear digging under a log about 15 yards off the trail. It had zero interest in us. Parking is tight but there were several lots and people coming and going enough that a little patience got us a spot. Bathrooms right at the trailhead was nice too. Take plenty of water!

It's not going to be an easy walk in the park. It's also not difficult. We took several breaks and took plenty of water. It is definitely worth the hike once you get to Rainbow Falls.

Gorgeous trail, even in winter. Lots of scenic views as you gain elevation. Moderately difficult, especially if there has been recent rain. The lower falls are pretty, but the top waterfall is well worth the journey up!

This is a great hike! Moderately difficult, this hike is up until you get to the falls. In some ways, getting back down can be more difficult on the body. Definitely recommend!

Rainbow Falls is a great hike in the Smokey mountains it took us about 3.5 hours and a total of 6.5 miles. It is a lot of uphill hiking so if you don't have much experience hiking I wouldn't recommend it. There isn't much parking but they do have a couple of different parking lots. There are bathrooms at the trailhead. It is a very scenic hike and the day we went it was very foggy and rainy. One of the best hikes you can go on while you are in the Smokeys.

It's a long hard hike but if you can get past this you will see a very beautiful waterfall with a background of multi-colored rock. It is uphill the entirety of the hike and there are a lot of rocks and roots in the path that make it difficult to walk easily but the view makes it all worth it.

**5.2 mile round trip** Well-maintained trail, no water or restrooms as you are walking through the forest. Go slow and take your time and the various waterfalls were worth it. There are roots, stumps, and rocks so watch your ankles. We hiked with a 46 year old, a 44 year old, 15 and 12 year old and it took us four hours total. Pictures and the falls were great! When sun was out it was hot so also recommend hats and plenty of water.

Rainbow Falls Trailhead - 1 Tyler - 0 This. trail. kicked. my. ass. All the people talking about this trail being "moderately difficult" are liars and shouldn't be trusted. Having said that, it was a great hike. Your hike back will be much more pleasant than the hike to the falls as the first leg is ENTIRELY uphill. My feet hurt, my thighs hurt, my legs hurt, it all hurt, I hated everything. While the trail claims to be 2.7 miles long (each way), it felt like a very steep 2.7 miles and my apple watched clocked it at over 3 miles each way. The trip back down was MUCH easier/pleasant as it was all downhill. The views and the falls were beautiful. If you're planning on doing this trailhead, here's a few tips: 1) This is not a beginners trail. If you're looking for something more leisurely, this is not the trail for you. You will sweat, it will hurt, you'll begin to debate whether or not the falls are worth it. 2) Bring plenty of water/snacks. We passed lots of people who clearly came unprepared/without water/boots/backpacks. I had a bag with water and a snack and wished that I had more water halfway through. 3) Arrive early. This is not a trail that you would want to hike in the dark. Make sure that you allow for plenty of time to complete the trail before the sun sets. While the trail destroyed me, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It felt great to take a shower after, relax, and unwind. Would definitely recommend this trail to others if you're up for a bit of a challenge!

Great hike, very strenuous due to terrain and inclines. Board at the entrance is very misleading and states the hike is 2.6 miles. I tracked an 8 mile round trip and another hiker I met tracked an 8.2mile round trip. You will definitely want to wear hiking boots for this, bring plenty of water, and snacks too so you can relax and energize before heading back. If you are able to make it, the top is well worth it. PS: there will be a sign that says rainbow falls when you make it. A lot of people climb all the way up just to turn around at the small falls which is only 5 minutes from the top.

TIP: this isn't a trail for people that occasionally hike. We are avid walkers and this KILLED our legs the next day. It was nothing but rocky terrain all uphill. We had to stop nearly every 100 feet to catch our breath. But the waterfall was worth it and was a rewarding experience. On the way down be careful it is very rocky and We nearly rolled our ankles 10 times. Overall good hike but start early. We started at 3 and didn't get back to our truck until 7. Also keep in mind parking is VERY L

First, let me say this trail is NOT for beginners or less experienced hikers. This is for the pros. The terrain is EXTREMELY steep. The path is very rocky and does involve some steep climbs. The whole path there is uphill. The scenery is pretty. But it's about 6+ miles round trip and does take about 4-5 hours if you take your time. You'll want to stop frequently to rest and there are no resting spots other than the big rocks. For experienced and avid hikers, this may be worth it. But the falls themselves weren't worth it in my opinion. We were a group of 18, 18, 31, and 43. If you do plan to take this on, make sure you allot at least 4+ hours to complete the hike both ways and bring water and snacks.

Beautiful hike. Just a side note to runners - I'm a runner too -but not that day-please follow trail etiquette. Yield to walkers, pass on the left , announce yourself when passing, let hikers going up have the right away. Hiked this with my husband and visually impaired sister and her husband. We were hiking single file and was passed by a runner on the right side and almost knocked us down. Then when he was coming down and tried to pass again on the inside. When confronted he said there's no rules on the trail. Eek he looked to be in his late forties and continued to argue with us. Just be mindful of trail etiquette. Such a beautiful hike though and my sister did great !!! Saw some deer and the falls were flowing.

What a challenging and rewarding hike! It is a very difficult hike to the falls as it is a steep relentless grade for almost 3 mi. nonstop. Be sure to pack plenty of water. I saw other reviews ahead of time stating the distance was 8+ mi. although the signs state 2.7 mi each way. That almost deterred me from going and boy am I glad I went! My Apple Watch was spot on with the posted signs. It does take a little longer then you would expect due to the difficulty. Once at the top we took time to climb around the falls and take a dip in the cold mountain top water. The way back down was less than half the time climbing up. I would probably do it again just to play in the falls at the top!

We hiked this mid-afternoon on a Sunday. Parking was tough in the small lot, and lots of cars were parked on the side of the road, without an problems it seemed. We were lucky and got a spot in the lot without circling. PRO TIP: If you pass a spot, you will have to circle a long way to get back, since it is a one way road. Most of the trail is shaded so it was pleasant. The sign said 2.7 miles to the falls, but my app said it was over 3 miles, probably because we did not walk in a straight line. The elevation gain is intense, but nothing over the top. There are a few small waterfalls along the way and places to veer off for exploring or social distancing. The falls were a great reward and so beautiful! You can climb on the rocks, or even walk behind the falls. The trail keeps going if you want to continue, but we did not.

Ngl the waterfall was not worth the trek compared to the scenery leading up to it. If your group gets tired a mile or mile and a half in, just turn around. I repeat DO NOT think that you should stick it out because the waterfall will make it worth it. Pack it up. Go home. The sights unseen will not haunt you.

Gorgeous hike, tho busy even in mid week September, wasn't overly crowded at the top with the massive waterfall offering and well earned misty vista. A few parts are tricky and a good energy is needed to move along at some speed but most will easily do a moderate pace without a problem, well made trail running shoes are an ideal. There's lots of nice spots to relax too with large boulders alongside the very well kept trail.

What a fun hike! I have heard about Rainbow Falls forever and for some reason, in my 11 years living in Asheville had never been until last weekend. A trip I had planned to go to Panthertown Valley didn't go as expected and I had remembered driving past a sign on the way there that said "Gorges State Park 1 mile." My friend and I decided to go see what that was and I was so pleased to find out that it was actually the Rainbow Falls Trailhead! There is a parking lot and the trail is easy to find and is clearly marked the entire hike. Upon entering the trail, you'll see many signs warning you to stay on the trail with a danger of death. I have heard of many deaths happenings here over the years and I am both a rule-follower and a scaredy cat, so you better believe I stayed on the trails! The hike is 1.5 miles in to Rainbow falls and another 1.5 back to the parking lot (aka 3 miles total). I hear that if you keep hiking, you'll come to Stairway Falls just another 1/2 mile up but my friend and I didn't do that. The sound as you arrive at the Rainbow falls was magical! Glorious, gigantic, rambling Rainbow Falls! It is 150 foot of water rushing beauty! I was actually surprised at how huge it was. Lucky for us, it had been raining a lot lately and the waterfall was rushing. We found a spot to sit and just stared at it in wonder and awe for about 20 minutes before heading back. The hike itself is medium difficulty. If you're out of shape like me, you will definitely be breathing heavy and struggling to keep conversation going for a few parts but if you're like my exercise-crazy friend, you'll be hiking up the trails like a rockstar. It is an odd trail because you're actually going downhill for a majority of the hike in. You know what that means--hiking upward for most of the way back to the car. It is a well-maintained hiking trail. This was a great hike and I'll definitely be back again!

Great trail!! There are still trees and debris falling down so be cautious but this is a great 2.55 hike to the falls. The terrain is rough at the bottom but dry. It can get muddy a mile up and then icy near the falls. Be careful as the bridges are very narrow and slick as well. Most were just redone from the fires. This is different each season but it's not an easy hike. The uphill is rough. Coming down is cake! I went up and down in 2.5 hours!

Very easy trail the way is already paved for you. Perfect for beginners and the falls at the end are beautiful totally worth it.

Rainbow falls is such a beautiful hike! Absolutely worth it. It took my dad and I four hours total (he's 52) and I'm 26. The views and waterfall are absolutely worth it. Bring water and snacks for sure.

It is very miss leading length of trail! About 6 miles to top but there is about three falls along the way! Got to see wildlife and get a great workout in!

This place is not going to be what you are expecting. This took my group about 5 hours to complete. Be ready to stub your toes on all the rocks throughout this hike. The best part is that once you reach the top the waterfall is absolutely horrid. It looks like a stream of water coming down from a sewer. I do not recommend this place to people who are not professional hikers. I almost tripped about four or five times while going down the steep mountain. If you are planning on going, cancel the trip and make a new plan. If you still go, bring a gallon of water and snacks, and be ready for your legs to feel like they are falling off the next few days. Lastly, do not listen to any of the people you pass that may tell you "the waterfall is beautiful" they are full of shit.

Let me start out by saying I am not an outdoorsy person. My expectation for this trail head was very low. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The trail is well laid out and well signed. Going up was all uphill and coming down was all downhill. It is 5 1/2 miles total, but takes a little longer to get through than anticipated. There are several bridges and quite a few nice picture points. I actually really enjoyed the trail. The falls once you get to them, you can go up to the top with the falls are, but I did not do this and just admired them from below. The hike was also very nice when it came to the temperature of the outdoors since it is well shaded. During our hike we saw several families with small young children doing the hike. I do not recommend this since it is a very long hike and can be strenuous at times. However, for everyone else I highly recommend this trail! This is a definite must try if you are in the Smokies. One family also saw there's while on the trail, though we did not.

!!!!!!'This trail is not for the faint of heart. !!!!! It is about 2.5 miles straight up a mountain. If we were more experienced hikers, then maybe it would have been better, but it was pretty terrible uphill. It was a cool experience, but it was a ton of hard work so you have to gage if it is worth it to you. Took about 1.5 hours to walk up and about 1 and 15 minute hour to walk down (all down hill). There are a few waterfalls along the way. I am glad we did it, but I personally would never do it again and think there are easier ways to see a waterfall if you are not physically able to make this trek. Be prepared for uneven trails with hiking shoes and possibly a walking stick and bring lots of water. There are also no signs on the trail, so you never know how long is left. Basically, just keep going.

We wish we were able to finish the hike and saw the falls. We didn't realize that it could take about 5 hours to hike to the falls and back. We started around 5pm, thinking we could be at the falls around 6:30 and be back by 8ish before sunset. The hike took longer than expected, and we turned around before it got dark. We took pictures on the way down. Maybe we'll try again this weekend.

It would have been 5 stars had they had better signs on the trail. They set ZERO expectation on how long the trail was. I ended up getting to Rainbow Falls, which were beautiful, but I wish they told me what to expect before I started. It was approx. 3 hours in and out to the falls, not including the time spent at the falls. I went faster than some were going on trail so you might want to expect to spend 5 hrs there, if u are expecting to see Rainbow Falls.

The hike up this thing was PAINFUL. But worth it. The cliffs are dangerous, but if you do manage to get past it (guarantee you will) you will see BEAUTIFUL sights of waterfalls and mountains. It will take about 2 hours to WALK up the full mountain. Check the weather ahead of time though. Both mountain trails I went on here rained and ruined my phone. But overall, this place is fabulous and I'd recommend it to those nature lovers and hikers out there. I'd recommend a flatter trail to trail runners.

Be prepared for a beautiful walk. Bring water and good hiking shoes. This is not an easy walk. But worth the effort.

This is a beautiful trail. Maybe it's the tourist in me, but I wish there were more signs. As an inexperienced hiker, I couldn't tell where I was in the 2.6 mile hike we chose and wanted to give up multiple times. The view was worth it though.

In my opinion this trail was not moderate it was very difficult. It seemed way longer than 2.7 miles. when I finally reached the Rainbow Falls it was not worth the trip. The Falls did not have very much water. Don't get me wrong it was pretty but it was nothing compared to Abrams Falls. The Abrams Falls only took three hours total, and the waterfall was incredible and definitely worth the hike.

This was an absolutely gorgeous trail. It was also the longest one we did while staying near the National park, but the hike was worth the views & scenery. To get to the Rainbow Falls there are a number of mini falls to see and several semi-unnerving bridges to pass - single file and not always having two handrails. The trail at times was pretty rocky and not always even. This may be more difficult if you are hiking with younger children. The waterfall itself was quite tall, and a little ways off the actual trail. We came in April after a rainy weekend so there was quite a bit of water still coming down making for some great photographs. With a little climbing we were able to get closer, but some of our party stayed closer to the little bridge near the trail. The water is lovely and clean, and the rocks behind the falls have some interesting color to them. Saw a few squirrels and chipmunks among the rocks if you are interested in the fauna. Note: The "shortcuts" you see along the trail may be more difficult than they look...

We hiked to the rainbow falls for Labor Day weekend. It's a steep 2.7 miles. They have bear warnings which are 100 percent true. We got to see mama bear and 2 cubs hanging in a tree. We also saw a snake cross our trail. Recommend to go here early, parking is difficult. The falls were a bit disappointing, it's just a bit of water trickling far away. But we enjoyed the trail, it was just breathtaking and relaxing. We started at 8:20 am and returned around 11:40am. If you are looking for something less challenging and more water you should attempt the grotto falls which has a 1.6 miles trail a bit further.

Hiked this trail on our recent trip to Gatlinburg. The trail is beautiful and there are lots of places to stop and enjoy the water before you reach the falls. This is NOT a trail for beginners. The hike is pretty steep at times and in the second half up to the falls the terrain is a bit more rough. I loved the bridges that were constructed at a few points (a rock bridge and a log bridge). Not much in the way wildlife when we went (June 1st), but there was quite a bit of foot traffic on the trail that day. I would definitely hike this trail again!

NOT FOR BEGINNERS! Me and my family decided to go on a hike today and thought this would be a good and pretty choice. We got half way and couldn't go any longer. It is very pretty and i'm sure people who are used to hiking find this easy but for a family who is hiking for fun this is not the one!

Good average trail. Decent Falls, but for the trip Abram's Trail is comparable & the Falls is much more worth while. Just over 5 miles round trip make for a good stretch of the legs. We were in & out in about 3 hours. Would have enjoyed it more this visit, but since mine & my husband's honeymoon 3 years ago, they have added many stone staircases along the way. The trail while moderate is steep and this will be a welcome addition for families with younger children, folks with knee trouble or disabilities, and those on up in age, but it takes away from the "wilderness" aspect of the trail (that & this trail fairly popular and frequented by tourists). Several mini falls along the way, and, despite the fire damage from a year ago, a lovely trail where you may see several of unphased deer along the way.

A hikers paradise. Great trails with wonderful natural resting spots. And nice vistas to make each drop a photo op. Just keep walking and let every turn or bend provide a mystery of unfolding wonder. Bring water and good hiking shoes as with any hike. Not suitable for anyone under 2nd grade unless experienced hiker.

First I must say THIS TRAIL IS NOT FOR BEGINNERS!!! Beautiful scenery and well maintained trails but extremely difficult if not in shape. This is definitely not a trail to bring kids on although I saw many people with children I would not advise it. I didn't even make it to the big fall my husband had an asthma attack and we had to go back. There are also not enough signs it would have been nice to have signs telling you how much farther or which fall you were at I guess that is the appeal to to this trail. Definitely bring water and some snacks and careful on the way down I rolled my ankles 3 times and I would suggest hiking boots which did not have. I would say go early took us 4 hours to do this trail. Much easier on the way back.

We weren't planning on hiking Rainbow Falls, but I'm so glad we did! The views are spectacular on the way up, and reaching the waterfall is such a sweet ending to a hike. It took us about 4.5 hours from start to finish, and that included me whining and almost making us turn around a couple of times. People on their way down kept telling us to keep going because it was worth it, and they were right! Glad we kept going.

The area is amazing. I do wish it was marked better I have hiked alot in the rocky mountains and other places but the marks were hard to see on the trees and the locals take different trails off the main one. I got lost and couldnt find the v to the next part of the trail. I had to a have 911 send in the fireman to get to me. I wasnt hurt I just didnt see the next part of the trail. It as by a rock and over grown with vines so it didnt look like a trail to me. I had women come and she got me down to the camp site. Otherwise it was amazing and the fireman was nice and it was all good.

Gatlinburg Tennessee is absolutely one of our favorite places in the world for so many reason. It's a quaint little mountain town that was settled in the early 1800s by English, Scottish and Irish immigrants (which really shows in the local culture). There are so many things to do for singles, families, groups or loners that any and everyone could have a great time without compromising. Lots of food, entertainment, relaxation, scenery and most important for us... nature. THE SCENE We are a very active family, the type that need a vacation when we get home from vacation. Our favorite thing to do when in the mountains is hike, especially if it leads to a beautiful waterfall. Gatlinburg is at the mouth of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, land of a thousand waterfalls & overlooks. Nature is truly at it's best right here and I would encourage anyone who enjoys outdoor activities to visit this small section of the world. Rainbow Falls itself can be a pretty boring waterfall when rain is minimal, but it's gorgeous in the Spring when snow from the top of the mountain begins to melt or after significant rainfall. Nature will also be showing off it's colors with a variety of flowering mountain plants. The height of the waterfall is 80 feet, so it's a good size, but it can be underwhelming with just a trickle of water in the hot dry summer. THE HIKE The trail begins near a small parking area off Cherokee Orchard Loop Road. The trail starts off with a fairly mild incline laced with outcrops of stones and tree roots. The incline gradually improves giving a noticeable increase to your breathing as your body tries to keep up with the need for more oxygen. About 2/3'rd of the way to reaching Rainbow Falls, the incline gets downright ugly. It becomes a real effort and while I agree with the 'moderate' difficulty rating for SOME of the trail, this section gets pretty hard for the casual hiker. I am fairly fit and need deep breaths to recover from the climb if I push through without any breaks. That being said, I love this trail. It's a calorie burner for sure and you will definitely get a good nights sleep! The beauty of this trail is the option to continue another 4.2 miles to the summit of Mt. LeConte, which is the third largest peak in the Smoky's and part of the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail that travels from Georgia to Maine. It's our family goal to someday hike each mile of the A/T, but I'm having a little trouble convincing the wife this is a good idea. The difficulty of Rainbow Falls trail (and the snakes) is partially to blame... LOL! THE VERDICT If you are only an occasional hiker, your will likely feel every bit of this hike in your muscles the next day, but don't let that warning stop you from conquering this trail. Lots of beautiful scenery and so peaceful when the trail is not crowded in popular seasons! Be sure to check out the historic early pioneers cabins along the drive to the trailhead... Enjoy! --------------- - - - - - Trail Location: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Round trip length: 5.4 Miles Total Elevation Gain: 1685 feet over 2.7 miles --- WOW! Avg. Elev Gain / Mile: 624 feet Highest Elevation: 4285 feet Trail Difficulty Rating: 8.77 (moderate) Yelp100 [33]

The trail is beautiful just not necessarily for beginners or for the faint of heart. I loved the views and how we were still able to see the snow fall on the trees and even on the ground. However the uphill climbs were pretty intense at times and the mud was veryy slippery just as an FYI for anyone. Personally I think it was worth it for the views however.

My son is 14 and we don't hike in Michigan, but we both enjoyed this hike. It tooks us 2 hours and 44 minutes to get to the falls and back to our vehicle. We did stop to rest a couple times, it was fun!

I'm a pretty avid runner/hiker and this was actually a petty legit 2.7 mi! Took longer than I thought with all the rocks and tree roots. It was a good workout -- definitely need good shoes and water. A hiking stick would also be helpful. Not as much water when we went yesterday but still beautiful. Final note -- hike until you get to the "Rainbow Falls" sign; there are several smaller falls that aren't "it."

Arrived at parking around 1115. Total miles hiked almost 7 since we had to park further down. Moderately traveled. I did a trail survey and 20 out of 24 participants made it to the top. Took us about an hour and 20 min to the falls. Took some good pictures. Rained on us at the end but we managed. We are ready for a shower and rest.

Oh man once at the top what a beautiful sight but to get there kicked my butt! I would make sure to bring more than one water bottle and some snacks.. It took us close to 4 hours round trip there and back with stopping a few times to take pictures. I would recommend everyone to do this hike you won't be disappointed I promise!

This is an absolutely great hike and I highly recommend taking the time to make it. It gets rated moderate, but as someone in fairly good shape I have to say I thought it was pretty strenuous. There are some very long stretches of steep incline that was quite challenging. Near the end, you'll come upon a mini waterfall type area. I saw a number of people stop there and turn around. If that was truly rainbow fall, I'd have to say the entire hike would have been anticlimactic. Keep going. Less than a quarter of a mile away you'll find the actual waterfall. There aren't a lot of places once you get there to sit and picnic, but there is a nice little stream the kiddos could play in if the weather is right. Overall, good hike and definitely worth the effort!

Lovely hike but strenuous, we saw an owl so exciting!!! We saw wild turkeys but no bears. The hike was about 2.5 hrs we only made it past the 1st bridge and the 2 mini waterfall due to hiking so late we didn't want to be there in the dark.

This was a great hike; just gonna reiterate something someone else said and say that the only reason this isn't getting 5 stars is because there was no trail markers, which can make the hike very confusing. I ran into a lot of people coming down from the hike and many said they were disappointed in the falls and that it wasn't worth it. They obviously didn't make it to the actual falls as there are one or two "could this be it?"'s before the actual falls. You have to go across two streams to actually get there so don't turn around too early! We wouldn't have known except we had a book that told us not to give up too early. I would estimate it took us ~1.45 hours to get to the top and ~1 hour to get down. That's with very few breaks and at a steady, fast pace. Others told me it took them closer to 3-5 hours depending on stops. The terrain is pretty wet/slippery near the top and there are rocks and tree roots you need to get passed so wear good hiking shoes and consider walking sticks. Also be careful on your way down as it can be pretty steep. Overall it was a great hike and I'm glad we did it!

I have hiked this trail many times. I personally love it every time. 4 miles may not sound like a lot when you first think about it, but if you're not a serious hiker, you're bound to feel every inch of your body ache the next day. I will be the first to admit this hike was a lot easier for me 5, even 10 years ago. You have tons and tons of rough terrain and it goes up and down a lot. It's well made and the path is very obvious, so you don't have to worry about wandering off of it. Some people complain this isn't one of the bigger waterfalls... truth is, it isn't unless it has rained significantly. Despite this, I still find it very scenic and worth visiting. I wouldn't bring your kids on this hike unless they are teens and/or capable of going long distances without hindrance. If you want a more kid friendly hike; I recommend going to Grotto Falls.

Beautiful trail opening to amazing waterfall! Do not fool yourself into thinking 2.7 miles (one way) is easy. I am a new hiker, and this trail was difficult, all uphill and very rocky! Make sure to wear sturdy (and water resistant) shoes and take plenty of water! We saw several white tail deer, chipmunks, and some people spotted a bear. It took us 3 hours up and 2 down with several rests on the way up.

We had a ton of fun . We did realize we are pretty out of shape, but it was worth pushing through to the top. I STRONGLY recommend bringing a picnic lunch to the top, there are several places to sit and eat and enjoy the waterfall . I will say the trail is rather difficult and I dont know that I'd bring small children because it is rather tiring. If you do this trail dont give up, it is worth it !

This was a great hike in the Smokey Mountains. Went in summer, but surprisingly not crowded. Just enough people so that you could ask "how far up yet" We loved the weather and the beauty!

AMAZING! The bartender at Back Alley recommended this hike and I'm so glad he did. Loved it. Apparently it's rated as moderate, but I think you need to be in decent shape to hike this because there are a lot of tough parts to this and it can be pretty challenging! It took us about 2 hours to get to the falls. I'm pretty active and in good shape and I still found it to be a bit strenuous in certain spots - long steep stretches!! There must have been a lack of rain because the falls were trickling; yes we went all the way to the Rainbow falls. We climbed up behind the falls which was fun!! Saw a bear with 2 cubs on the way down and kept going. I'm not trying to get eaten by a bear! They were far enough away but a mom and her cubs are not something I wanted to gawk at; bears are too unpredictable. I highly recommend this hike but the falls aren't that spectacular and a lot of people are disappointed when they make it to the top. Just enjoy the hike and the beauty of nature! Bring plenty of water & some snacks (but don't litter on the trail - bears!!!).