Ramsey Cascades Hike
Waterfall · about 105 ft high | Tennessee
8 mi round trip
2,000 ft
Strenuous
Ramsey Cascades Hike at a Glance
The Ramsey Cascades hike is 8 mi round trip with 2,000 ft of elevation gain.
| Falls height | About 105 ft |
|---|---|
| Distance | 8 mi round trip |
| Elevation gain | 2,000 ft |
| Difficulty | Strenuous |
Your time: about 3 h 40 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 4 h 35 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 2,080 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 8 mi distance and 2,000 ft of gain for this hike are verified (nps.gov), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Ramsey Cascades
Ramsey Cascades is a waterfall in Tennessee, about 105 feet high, on land managed by Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Its height is from nps.gov.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Ramsey Cascades Trail: 8 miles round trip with about 2,000 feet of elevation gain, from Ramsey Cascades Trailhead, Ramsey Prong Road, Greenbrier. Distance from nps.gov. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Strenuous.
Before You Go
- A parking tag is required to park in the Smokies for more than 15 minutes. (nps.gov)
- The Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail are the only two park trails where pets are permitted. (nps.gov)
- Do not attempt to climb to the top of the falls, which is muddy and slippery. (nps.gov)
- The trail has many steep sections plus roots and rocks. (nps.gov)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Great Smoky Mountains National Park for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Ramsey Cascades?
The Ramsey Cascades Trail to Ramsey Cascades is 8 miles round trip with about 2,000 feet of elevation gain.
Where does the Ramsey Cascades hike start?
It starts from Ramsey Cascades Trailhead, Ramsey Prong Road, Greenbrier.
How tall is Ramsey Cascades?
Ramsey Cascades is about 105 feet high.
Is there a fee to hike to Ramsey Cascades?
A parking tag is required to park in the Smokies for more than 15 minutes.
Are dogs allowed on the Ramsey Cascades trail?
The Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail are the only two park trails where pets are permitted.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
1:00 PM (2:00 PM summer)
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Ramsey Cascades Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- nps.gov
- Distance
- nps.gov
- Falls height
- nps.gov
- Falls location
- waterfallhikes.com
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Ramsey Cascades.