Metcalf Bottoms Trail
Little Greenbrier School · under a mile each way
A short walk from the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area to Little Greenbrier School, a one-room log schoolhouse that doubled as the community church. About as easy as hiking gets in the park — and if you carry on up Little Brier Gap Trail to the Walker Sisters Cabin, it becomes a 3.6-mile round trip.
The Metcalf Bottoms Trail is one of the easiest and most rewarding short walks in the Great Smoky Mountains. In just over half a mile, it takes you from a riverside picnic area to a log schoolhouse built in 1882.
It's a perfect family outing. Spread out a picnic by the Little River, stroll through the woods to the old school, and keep going to the historic Walker Sisters Cabin if your crew is up for a little more.
Metcalf Bottoms Trail at a glance
To the Walker Sisters Cabin: about 4 miles round trip
Difficulty: easy
Trailhead: Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area on Little River Road
Pets: not allowed on this trail
Getting to Metcalf Bottoms
Metcalf Bottoms sits on Little River Road between Elkmont and the Townsend Y, about seven and a half miles from the Y. From Wears Valley, you can also reach it on Wear Cove Gap Road, which drops right down to the picnic area.
To reach the trailhead, park at the picnic area and walk back across the one-lane bridge over the Little River. The Metcalf Bottoms Trail starts just across the bridge.
Check your vehicle — the Metcalf Bottoms bridge has a weight limit, so buses, motorhomes, and trailers aren't allowed.
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.
Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area
Metcalf Bottoms is one of the most popular picnic areas in the park, with more than a hundred picnic sites spread out along the Little River. Each site has a picnic table and a raised charcoal grill, and there's a covered pavilion for big groups that can be reserved ahead of time through Recreation.gov. Two sites are ADA accessible.
The picnic area is open year-round. Some loops and the pavilion close for the colder months, and in fall and winter visitors are asked to pack out their trash. It's a great place to start or end your hike. See more of our favorite picnic spots near Gatlinburg. Thinking about getting in the water? Read our guide to the best swimming spots in the Smoky Mountains first.
What the hike is like
From the bridge, the trail follows the Little River for a short distance, then turns into the woods and heads upstream along Little Brier Branch. The path is wide and gentle, with a small footbridge over a wet section, and it's easy enough for young kids and casual walkers.
After about 0.6 miles, the trail comes out at Little Greenbrier School, a log schoolhouse built in 1882. Children from all over the valley once walked here for lessons, and a local Baptist congregation held services inside. The last classes were held in 1935, and the school is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Step inside to see the old desks, and look for the small cemetery on the hill nearby.
Keep going to the Walker Sisters Cabin
If you have more energy, the adventure doesn't have to end at the school. The Little Brier Gap Trail starts right beside the schoolhouse and leads about 1.3 miles through quiet forest to the Walker Sisters Cabin, the homestead where five sisters kept the old mountain way of life alive for decades. From Metcalf Bottoms, the full trip is about four miles round trip. It's still an easy walk, just a longer one.
Tips for your visit
Pack a picnic — the picnic area makes this a perfect half-day outing. Grab a table early on busy weekends.
Plan for little legs — the walk to the school is short and easy for kids. The full trip to the Walker Sisters Cabin is a bigger day for very young children.
Expect some mud — parts of the trail can be wet after heavy rain.
Be kind to history — the school and cabin are fragile. Please don't climb on them or carve into the logs.
Best time to visit Metcalf Bottoms
Spring — wildflowers bloom along the trail and the river runs full.
Summer — the busiest picnic season, and the shady riverside is a great place to cool off. Arrive early for the best table.
Fall — colorful leaves line the river and the trail. Plan a leaf-season trip with our fall cabin rentals.
Check the national park's website for any road closures before you go.
More to explore nearby
Metcalf Bottoms sits right in the middle of some of the best stops along Little River Road. Head toward Gatlinburg to find The Sinks, a powerful roadside waterfall, and Laurel Falls, one of the park's most popular waterfall hikes. A little further, Elkmont has the easy Elkmont Nature Trail and the Jakes Creek Trail. 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 Metcalf Bottoms Trail?
0.6 miles one way from the picnic area to Little Greenbrier School, or about 1.2 miles round trip.
Can you hike from Metcalf Bottoms to the Walker Sisters Cabin?
Yes. Take the Metcalf Bottoms Trail to Little Greenbrier School, then the Little Brier Gap Trail to the cabin. It's about four miles round trip.
Where is Metcalf Bottoms?
On Little River Road between Elkmont and the Townsend Y, and also reachable from Wears Valley by Wear Cove Gap Road.
Is Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area open all year?
Yes, though some loops and the pavilion close in the colder months, and visitors pack out their own trash in fall and winter.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are welcome in the picnic area on a leash but aren't allowed on the Metcalf Bottoms Trail.
Metcalf Bottoms is a quick drive from our Wears Valley cabins and an easy trip from Gatlinburg, so it's a perfect morning or afternoon outing. Our Wears Valley cabins put you close to this quiet side of the park, our riverfront cabins keep the sound of running water close by, and our family cabins have room for everyone. After your picnic and hike, relax in one of our hot tub cabins, and if the dog is coming along, our pet-friendly cabins welcome them too.