The walk is easy, the way broad and the falls peaceful and refreshing. Though often crowded, Grotto Falls is an excellent stop over en route to Mount LeConte. Large boulders and fallen trees offer plenty of seating. The falls itself is fifteen, maybe twenty feet high, usually having a good amount of water coming over. This is an exciting initiation into the 'wilderness experience' for many.
Wet rocks are extremely slippery, do be very careful.
The scenery here is hardwood bottomland, somewhat rocky and rooty, but quite negotiable for even the out of shape hiker. Trees are often fair to large in size, especially the hemlocks. The trail may become a bit muddy in rainy weather, but even if not, you can expect to carry home a little dirt from the rocks and trees. Beyond the falls, the trail becomes notably steeper as you wind your way up two more miles to Trillium Gap amid the folded shoulders of Mount LeConte. The scenery changes slightly here as the trees are sparser and substantially younger.