Hiking Project Logo

gem icon Andrews Bald [Suggest Edits]

31 votes
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

Description

Andrews Bald is a high-elevation, grassy bald named for the settler, Andres Thompson, who brought cattle up here in the 1840s to graze. This grassy bald is the highest bald in the Smokies at 5,923 ft. Depending on the time of year, hikers can find patches of raspberries and blackberries, Fraser firs, and bluets, a small, blue wildflower sometimes called Quaker ladies or Innocence.

The large, open, grassy meadow is a great place to sit and enjoy lunch or a snack before you continue on your way. Flame azaleas and Catawba rhododendrons bloom in late June, putting on a spectacular show of color for wildflower enthusiasts, and the views of the surrounding hills are stunning especially in the fall.

Half-Day Hike: From the Clingmans Dome Visitor Center parking area, look for a short access trail down to the left between the bulletin board and the paved trail to Clingmans Dome. From this short access trail, take a left onto the Forney Ridge Trail which you will follow 1.8 miles to Andrews Bald.

Family Friendly: This is a great outing for the whole family. Be sure to pack a picnic to enjoy at Andrews Bald!

Gem Type: Viewpoint

Shared by:
Kristen Arendt

You & This Gem

Your Rating:      Clear Rating
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jun 26, 2022
Christina Westlake
Nov 28, 2021
Jeremiah Harrison
Did in October 2021
Nov 8, 2021
Patrick Wolf
Hiked with Angie on November 6&7. Stayed at steel trap #68. Went to Andrew's Bald. My first backcountry backpacking adventure.
Jul 10, 2021
Jeff Brigman
May 28, 2021
Eric Sword
Much harder when carrying a 3 year old
May 28, 2021
Katrina Hunt
Very foggy today
May 25, 2021
Eli Wagner
May 21, 2021
Allison K

Nearby Gems

gem Favorite Alum Cave in the fog

Alum Cave Bluffs

(79) Gatlinburg, TN
gem Favorite Plenty of mountains to view from Clingman's Dome.

Clingmans Dome

(138) Gatlinburg, TN
gem Favorite Hike the popular 2.3 mile roundtrip trail to reach the 80 foot Laurel Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The falls is broken up in an upper and lower section with a narrow bridge cutting across. This photo is shot at the bottom of the lower section of the falls.

Laurel Falls

(108) Gatlinburg, TN
gem Favorite Mount LeConte after a winter storm on the AT. Clouds hug the ridges and hoarfrost covers the trees.

Charlies Bunion

(59) Gatlinburg, TN
gem Favorite Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls

(53) Gatlinburg, TN
gem Favorite Mingus Mill

Mingus Mill

(27) Cherokee, NC
gem Favorite Log bridge before Arch Rock

Arch Rock

(18) Gatlinburg, TN
gem Favorite Heading to Juney Whank Falls on a perfect fall day.

Juney Whank Falls

(21) Bryson…, NC

Nearby Trails

10.7 mi 17.3 km Alum Cave - Cliff Top Out and Back
Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
All Clear
Update
Mostly Dry, Some Mud - Beautiful hike
68 days ago
263 
8.0 mi 12.8 km Charlies Bunion Out and Back
Intermediate/Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
Intermediate/Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
All Clear
Update
Dry
11 days ago
128 
4.2 mi 6.7 km Chimney Tops Trail
Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
All Clear
Update
Dry
44 days ago
148 
2.6 mi 4.2 km Grotto Falls
Intermediate
Gatlinburg, TN
Intermediate
Gatlinburg, TN
All Clear
Update
Some Mud
43 days ago
82 
8.0 mi 12.8 km Ramsey Cascades Trail
Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
Unknown
Update
71 
5.4 mi 8.7 km Rainbow Falls
Intermediate/Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
Intermediate/Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
Minor Issues
Update
Muddy
71 days ago
73 
0.8 mi 1.3 km Clingmans Dome Trail
Intermediate
Bryson City, NC
Intermediate
Bryson City, NC
Unknown
Update
83 
3.6 mi 5.8 km Andrews Bald Out and Back
Intermediate
Bryson City, NC
Intermediate
Bryson City, NC
All Clear
Update
Mostly Dry
4 days ago
65 
4.1 mi 6.6 km Laurel Falls Trail
Intermediate
Gatlinburg, TN
Intermediate
Gatlinburg, TN
All Clear
Update
Some Mud
64 days ago
44 
16.0 mi 25.7 km Mount Le Conte Loop
Difficult
Bryson City, NC
Difficult
Bryson City, NC
Minor Issues
Update
Uprooted tree root in middle of trail making it hard to get around it.
10 days ago
30 
Shared by Kristen Arendt on Aug 5, 2016. All Page Views: 4,235. Last Month: 15.