On Valentine’s Day last month, we hiked the most popular trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s so popular that the Park Service has had to pave its 1.3 mile walking path in order to keep it from constantly deteriorating due to all the foot traffic.

Its easy access and proximity to Gatlingburg and the Sugarlands Visitor Center are the main reasons for its popularity. However, you can’t dismiss the fact that the reward at the end of the short hike is a gorgeous water fall.