About Big Frog Trail (Big Frog Wilderness)
Big Frog Mountain is the high point of the Big Frog Wilderness on the Tennessee-Georgia line, in the Cherokee National Forest. The Big Frog Trail (No. 64) climbs about 5.6 miles and 2,050 feet from the Big Frog trailhead to the summit area. It is a strenuous day hike with little company.
The hike
The trail climbs through hardwood and then higher forest. Views are limited, so the draw is solitude and wilderness feel. Carry a map and compass, since the wilderness has few signs.
When to go
Spring and fall are best.
Getting there
The trailhead is on Forest Service roads in Polk County, Tennessee, west of Ducktown. Roads are rough; confirm conditions with the Cherokee National Forest before you drive.
Know before you go
Bring water, a map and extra layers. This is wilderness: no cell service, no facilities.
Visiting the national park too?
If you are also spending time in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, these hikes are good companions:
- Grotto Falls: a 2.6-mile round trip to a waterfall you can walk behind
- Oconaluftee River Trail: an easy riverside walk near Cherokee
- Big Creek Trail: a quiet walk to Midnight Hole and Mouse Creek Falls
Planning and safety
Treat this as a full-day commitment. Steep mountain trail often takes closer to one mile per hour on the climbs, so build in extra time. Start early, set a firm turnaround time, carry a headlamp, and tell someone your plan before you lose cell service.
Conditions can change quickly in the mountains, and forest and state-land roads are often narrow or unpaved. Confirm access and any fees with the land manager, tell someone your plan, and carry enough water and layers for the day.
Good to know
- How long is Big Frog Trail (Big Frog Wilderness)?
- Big Frog Trail (Big Frog Wilderness) is 5.6 miles one way (11.2 miles round trip), with about 2,050 feet of climbing. It is rated strenuous.
