Tennessee · Hiking

Grassy Gap

4.9 mi
round trip
3,775 ft
climb
2,527 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Grassy Gap open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Cherokee National Forest. It doesn't name Grassy Gap, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Cherokee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Grassy Gap is a hard hike in Tennessee's Big Frog Wilderness, part of the Ocoee Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest. The route is an out-and-back of about 9.8 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,028 feet. It starts at roughly 2,483 feet and climbs to a high point of 2,527 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.5 miles in, where the grade reaches 18%. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically October and May, when typical averages from a nearby weather station run around 72°F and 78°F, with fewer wet days than the rest of the year. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. The Yellow Stand Lead Trail No. 78 and the Big Frog Trail No. 64 both begin about 0.1 mile away. Thunder Rock Campground is about 3.4 miles off, and the Ocoee River is about 3.5 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Grassy Gap

    Best months: March–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      50° / 25°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      54° / 28°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      62° / 34°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 41°

      11 wet

    5. May

      78° / 51°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 59°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 63°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 62°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      81° / 56°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      72° / 43°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 33°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      53° / 28°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Murphy 4ese, NC, 31.2 mi away at 1,600 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Route details

Distance
4.9 mi round trip
Climbing
About 3,775 ft
Summit
2,646 ft
Difficulty
Hard
Time
About 3 hours

Questions about this route

How long is the Grassy Gap on Bearpen Hill?

About 4.9 mi round trip.

How much elevation gain is on the Grassy Gap?

About 3,775 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Grassy Gap?

It is rated hard.

How long does the Grassy Gap take?

About 3 hours round trip.

Conditions and forecast on Bearpen Hill

Caution todayAgency alerts are in effect for this areaUSFS · checked 6 h ago

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors