Little Brier Gap Trail

The Little Brier Gap Trail is a short, easy walk back in time. It starts at a one-room schoolhouse from 1882 and follows a quiet forest path to the Walker Sisters Cabin, the homestead where five sisters kept the old mountain way of life alive long after the national park grew up around them.

It's one of the best history hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains. The trail is gentle, the crowds are light, and the story behind it is one you'll be telling long after your trip.

Little Brier Gap Trail at a glance

Finding the trailhead

The Little Brier Gap Trail starts right beside Little Greenbrier School. To get there, drive Little River Road to the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, between Elkmont and the Townsend Y. Turn into the picnic area and cross the one-lane bridge. About 0.4 miles past Little River Road, turn right onto gravel Little Greenbrier Road and follow it to the schoolhouse parking area.

Prefer a longer walk? Park at Metcalf Bottoms instead and take the Metcalf Bottoms Trail to the schoolhouse. That makes the hike about four miles round trip.

Bring a parking tag — a national park parking tag is required for any vehicle parked longer than fifteen minutes. See our guide to where to buy a Smokies parking pass.

Little Greenbrier School

Before you start, take a few minutes at Little Greenbrier School. The Walker family helped build this log schoolhouse in 1882. Children from all over the valley walked here for lessons, and a local Baptist congregation held church services inside. The last classes were held in 1935.

Today the school is on the National Register of Historic Places, and you can step inside to see the old desks. A small cemetery sits on the hill nearby.

The walk to the Walker Sisters Cabin

From the school, the trail follows an old road through quiet forest. It's well kept and mostly smooth, with a gentle climb and a few small footbridges. At just over a mile, look for the signed side path on the right. It makes a sharp turn back toward the homestead, about two-tenths of a mile away.

The main trail keeps going a short distance to Little Brier Gap, where it meets the Little Greenbrier Trail. Most hikers simply visit the cabin and head back the way they came.

The story of the Walker sisters

John and Margaret Walker settled this homestead in 1870, and their family grew up here farming the land. Five of their daughters, Margaret, Martha, Nancy, Louisa, and Hettie, never married and stayed on the farm their whole lives. They grew and raised almost everything they needed, spinning their own wool and making their own clothes.

When the national park was being created, the sisters didn't want to leave. In 1940 they agreed to sell their land to the park, but only on the condition that they could keep living there for the rest of their lives. A 1946 Saturday Evening Post story about them brought a steady stream of visitors to their door. Louisa, the last of the sisters, passed away in 1964, and the park took over the homestead.

What you'll see at the homestead

The Walker cabin

The log home is the heart of the homestead. Part of it is thought to be an older cabin that John Walker moved and rebuilt in the late 1870s. The park restored the cabin in 1976, and visitors can look inside.

The springhouse and corn crib

The springhouse sits over a cold mountain stream, which kept food cool and the water clean. The corn crib stored the family's harvest. Many more buildings once stood here, and these are the ones that remain.

Tips for your visit

Great for families — the trail is gentle and short, and the history makes it fun for kids. The full walk is a lot for very young children, so plan breaks.

Watch the footbridges — some have a single handrail and sit a few feet above the creek, so keep little ones close.

Go after a dry spell — the trail can get muddy after heavy rain, especially in late fall and winter.

Be respectful — the buildings are historic and fragile. Please don't climb on them or carve into the logs.

Best time to hike Little Brier Gap Trail

Spring — wildflowers bloom along the trail and around the old homestead.

Summer — the shady forest keeps the walk comfortable, and the trail is quieter than most in the park.

Fall — the hardwoods turn bright colors around the cabin. Plan a leaf-season trip with our fall cabin rentals.

Check the national park's website for any road or trail closures before you go, especially for the gravel road to the school.

More to explore nearby

Metcalf Bottoms is a great spot for a picnic before or after your hike. It's one of our favorite picnic spots near Gatlinburg. Just up Little River Road, Elkmont has more history, including the easy Elkmont Nature Trail and the Jakes Creek Trail. The Sinks waterfall is a quick roadside stop, and Laurel Falls is one of the park's most popular waterfall hikes. Head the other way and you'll reach Cades Cove. Browse all our Smoky Mountain hiking trails for more ideas.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the hike to the Walker Sisters Cabin?

About 2.6 miles round trip from Little Greenbrier School, or about four miles round trip from Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area.

Where does the Little Brier Gap Trail start?

At Little Greenbrier School, at the end of Little Greenbrier Road near the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area.

Is the Little Brier Gap Trail easy?

Yes. It's a gentle, well-kept trail that most families can enjoy.

Who were the Walker sisters?

Five sisters who lived on this mountain farm their whole lives. They sold their land to the park on the condition that they could stay, and the last sister, Louisa, lived here until 1964.

Can you go inside the Walker Sisters Cabin?

Yes. Visitors can look inside the restored cabin. Please treat the historic buildings with care.

Can I bring my dog?

No. Dogs aren't allowed on Little Brier Gap Trail.