Grapeyard Ridge Trail has many creek crossings on log bridges. This is a 5.8 mile (roundtrip), moderately difficult trek.
As you head up Injun Creek on Grapeyard Ridge Trail, you will find an old Indian burial ground. Also, there is a side trail to visit the McCarter Cemetery where you will pass many rock piles and stone fences. Next is camp #32 where Injun Creek and Grapeyard Ridge trail cross. Go up Grapeyard trail, toward Roaring Fork and look for a tree with very twisted branches. That tree signals the spot to start the manway portion of the hike. This manway, in the old days, was used to get from Grapeyard Ridge to Greenbrier. Women rode sidesaddle on this trail to town.
Grapeyard Ridge is now an overgrown manway, but the trail is still very visible with just a few blowdowns. Follow the manway for about 3 miles before coming to a huge hollowed out chestnut stump. At that point take a right turn and go down a fairly steep hill. In about 3/4 mile you will be at the 2nd parking lot you passed to the trail head.
Along the way you will enjoy beautiful mountain wild flowers. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Horses are also able to use this trail.
DIRECTIONS
From downtown Gatlinburg turn at traffic light #3 to travel eastbound on Hwy 321. Drive 6 miles and turn right into Greenbrier. You will see a Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance sign on the right. This road will become a gravel road after a short distance. From the highway you’ll drive 3 miles to the Grapeyard Ridge Trailhead. There will be a small parking area just before reaching the bridge that takes you to the Ramsey Cascades and Porters Creek trailheads.
