1. Home
  2. Routes
  3. GSMNP Lakeshore Trail - Fontana to Bryson

Route: GSMNP Lakeshore Trail - Fontana to Bryson

Submitted by James Rockwell on Tue, 04/25/2023 - 10:12am
Location
North Carolina, US
Distance
34.92 mi
Vertical Gain
5,964 ft
Description

The Lakeshore Trail is an approximate 35 mile point-to-point trail from Fontana Dam to Bryson City NC. It is one of the few long-distance trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The route begins at the trailhead off Lakeview Drive on the Fontana Dam side, and ends at the trailhead just through the Road to Nowhere tunnel at the Lakeview Drive parking area on the Bryson City side. The route is marked fairly well with signage at all/most intersections, although no blazes. Also worth nothing, the Benton MacKaye follows the Lakeshore Trail for the entire 35 miles. 

Lakeshore Trail via Fontana Dam: 29 Reviews, Map - North Carolina | AllTrails

GPS Track
Full_Lakeshore_.gpx7.91 MB

FKTs

Comments

User Picture
Profile picture for user anthonygroft

anthonygroft
Tue, 10/03/2023 - 07:09am

This is a fun trail that is super runnable almost the full length, thank James Rockwell for establishing the FKT route. In my opinion, the standard route should be open for eastbound runs (as originally completed by James' group and by myself) as well as westbound runs. I see no distinct advantage between the two directions as there is only a minor difference in overall elevation gain (~200 feet) and there are a series of climbs/descents at each end. 

Katti Jackson
Thu, 01/30/2025 - 08:57am

Got a good weather window, so I will be attempting this FKT route this Saturday Feb 1. I'll be supported by friends pacing a few miles at the start as well as the final miles. My first time doing an FKT route.Â