Hiking Project Logo

gem icon Andrews Bald [Suggest Edits]

32 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
loading

You & This Gem

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

Check-Ins

Aug 27, 2023
Alicia Sloan
Aug 7, 2023
Kurt Wright
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

Nearby Gems

gem Favorite Alum Cave in the fog

Alum Cave Bluffs

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

Clingmans Dome

(142) 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

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

Charlies Bunion

(60) Gatlinburg, TN
gem Favorite Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls

(54) Gatlinburg, TN
gem Favorite Mingus Mill

Mingus Mill

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

Arch Rock

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

Juney Whank Falls

(23) 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
Some Mud
47 days ago
271 
8.0 mi 12.8 km Charlies Bunion Out and Back
Intermediate/Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
Intermediate/Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
All Clear
Update
Mostly Dry, Some Mud
39 days ago
131 
4.2 mi 6.7 km Chimney Tops Trail
Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
All Clear
Update
Mostly Dry
49 days ago
150 
5.4 mi 8.7 km Rainbow Falls
Intermediate/Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
Intermediate/Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
All Clear
Update
74 days ago
80 
2.6 mi 4.2 km Grotto Falls
Intermediate
Gatlinburg, TN
Intermediate
Gatlinburg, TN
All Clear
Update
Dry
39 days ago
87 
8.0 mi 12.8 km Ramsey Cascades Trail
Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
Difficult
Gatlinburg, TN
All Clear
Update
Dry
34 days ago
72 
0.8 mi 1.3 km Clingmans Dome Trail
Intermediate
Bryson City, NC
Intermediate
Bryson City, NC
All Clear
Update
Snowy
49 days ago
87 
3.6 mi 5.8 km Andrews Bald Out and Back
Intermediate
Bryson City, NC
Intermediate
Bryson City, NC
All Clear
Update
73 days ago
65 
16.0 mi 25.7 km Mount Le Conte Loop
Difficult
Bryson City, NC
Difficult
Bryson City, NC
Unknown
Update
33 
4.1 mi 6.6 km Laurel Falls Trail
Intermediate
Gatlinburg, TN
Intermediate
Gatlinburg, TN
All Clear
Update
Dry
41 days ago
45 
Shared by Kristen Arendt on Aug 5, 2016. All Page Views: 4,235. Last Month: 15.