The Cove's most scenic, but strenuous, hike is the Gregory Bald Ridge Trail. The trailhead is on Forge Creek Road. Follow Forge Creek Road two miles. It ends as a parking lot. The six-mile trail to Gregory Bald begins here. This tough trip gains 3,000 feet in elevation. Old growth forest, with eight-foot diameter tulip poplars, and the 10 acre bald highlight this trail.

Directions: From Townsend, Travel east on Hwy. 321 and turn south on Hwy. 73. Proceed approximately 0.5 miles and turn right onto Laurel Creek Road. Travel west around Cades Cove Loop Road. Travel south on Forge Creek Road and the trailhead is at the end of the road.