Some people assume that the only walking you can do near the Smoky Mountains is hiking, but that’s not true! If you’re someone who likes to walk but you’re not big into hiking, don’t worry–there are a number of hard-packed or paved walking trails near Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg where you can get outside and get moving without having to hike up a mountain. Here’s a list of some of the best walking trails nearby.

1. Riverwalk Greenway

The Riverwalk Greenway in Pigeon Forge is the ideal place for a peaceful riverside stroll. This walking trail is paved and tree-lined, with street lamps in case you go for a walk close to dark. You can find the start of this paved walking trail at Patriot Park. Follow the trail along the Little Pigeon River past The Old Mill and the LeConte Event Center, through the Island in Pigeon Forge, and end at the Pigeon Forge Community Center. There are a number of benches along the way to stop and watch the ducks or simply breathe in nature. The entire length of the trail is six miles, but you can stop and turn around whenever you’d like. 

2. Wear Farm City Park

On the other side of the Parkway just a little ways down Wears Valley Road is Wear Farm City Park. This park has a paved walking trail that’s great for folks who want to get outside without having to commit to a long walk. This walking trail near the heart of Pigeon Forge is about 1.3 miles long. You’ll start at Pavillion Two and walk past the football field and the baseball complex, along Walden’s Creek, and back around the baseball complex to finish where you started. This is an especially great place to walk if you have children because they can burn off energy at the playground, or you can all finish the walk with a picnic at one of the two paved pavilions.

3. Seven Islands State Birding Park

If you feel like driving a little ways away from Pigeon Forge for a beautiful nature walk, head up to Kodak to Seven Islands State Birding Park. This state park has six easy walking trails out in the middle of nature. Some of these walking trails are paved and others are mowed trails. The lengths of these paths range from 1.6 miles to 5.2 miles, so you can choose how long you want your walk to be. Seven Islands State Birding Park is known for being a great place to watch birds and quietly enjoy nature. You’ll get to see views of a landscape that’s pretty different from views up in the Smoky Mountains.

4. Veterans Boulevard Greenway

The Veterans Boulevard Greenway is a wide, paved walking trail near Pigeon Forge. As the name suggests, this walking path runs alongside Veterans Boulevard and connects Pigeon Forge to Sevierville. This greenway travels about 4 miles from Gold Rush Road across from Dollywood in Pigeon Forge up to the Sevierville Greenway. You’ll enjoy walking along this 10-foot wide paved path where you can feel miles away from the busier parts of Pigeon Forge. A great place to start your walk is at the Hospital Trailhead & Parking area, located right next to LeConte Medical Center. From there, you can walk along Blanton Drive to Veterans Boulevard, where you can either turn left toward Dollywood and Pigeon Forge, or right toward Sevierville. Many visitors and locals choose to walk and run on this well-maintained walking trail.

5. Gatlinburg Trail

If you’re looking for an easy walk in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, check out the Gatlinburg Trail. This is a walking trail near Gatlinburg that winds through the trees and along the Little Pigeon River. The trail travels from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the edge of downtown Gatlinburg. If you walk the entire length of the path, it’s 3.8 miles round trip. Though the Gatlinburg Trail is technically considered a hiking trail, it’s a very easy trail to walk with little change in elevation. This makes it a great place to walk with your family, or even your furry friends. Since this walking trail is right outside downtown Gatlinburg, it’s easy to get to and you can even extend your walk into downtown!

Find a Place to Eat After Strolling Along a Walking Path Near Pigeon Forge

Whether you’re an early-morning walk kind of person or you prefer walking later in the evening, make sure you restore your energy with a bite to eat. When you’re ready to try a delicious restaurant after your walk, take a look at our favorite local restaurants nearby in Pigeon Forge!