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Relaxing mountain cabins in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN! |
The Smoky Mountains are a hikers paradise!
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Each year an estimated nine million visitors are drawn to the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This part of the Appalachian Mountain Range is located between the borders of North Carolina and Tennessee. Often referred to as the “Smokies”, the Smoky Mountains get their name from the natural haze that drifts across the peaks.
The Smoky Mountains are a hiker’s paradise with more than 800 miles of maintained trails. Situated within lush forest that are home to over ten thousand species of plants and animals the trails within the Park are a dream come true for nature lovers. A variety of trails offers hiking opportunities for all levels. Trails range from short walks to challenging hikes lasting all day or even up to a week in length. With so many choices deciding which hike to go on or which trail to take can be as challenging as the hike itself.
Hiking in the Smokies will allow you to discover some wonderful treasures. Many popular hiking destinations include breathtaking waterfalls, rushing mountain streams, beautiful flora and wildlife viewing opportunities. Many trails lead past historic structures. You’ll find almost 80 structures from the Pioneer days scattered throughout the park. There are historic homesteads, gristmills, barns, churches and other buildings that have been preserved and restored. You will also see some gorgeous mountain vistas as you hike through the Smoky Mountains. You can enjoy scenic mountain views from the high rocky bluffs as you peer out over the rich and fertile valleys. There truly is much to be explored as a hiker in the Smokies.
Abrams Falls Trail is ideal for the beginner or a family hike. The falls is only about 20 feet high but the high volume of water and deep pool below make it very photogenic. The hike to Abrams falls is five miles round-trip. The trail starts at the wooden bridge at the end of the Abrams Falls parking area in Cades Cove and runs parallel to Abrams creek for most of the hike. You should allow about 3 hours for this hike which will vary depending on your pace.
Cades cove is a heavily visited area. You may not experience the same serene environment as you will on other trails in the Smokies but you won’t want to miss the beauty of Abrams Falls. On hot summer days you will enjoy the cool mist created from the plunge of the falls into pool. The natural pool is also suitable for swimming and sunbathing. In June you can expect an attractive display of rhododendron and laurel covering the step banks of the area.
Alum Cave Bluff Trail is a popular and well known route to Mount Le Conte. It’s a moderately difficult trail that begins from The Grassy Patch near either of the two parking areas located on Newfound Gap Road 8.6 miles east of the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The round-trip hike to the cave bluff is 4.6 miles or 5.1 if you go on to LeConte Lodge.
There are some great views on this hike especially if you hike all the way to LeConte Lodge or beyond to Cliff Tops. You will parallel Alum Cave Creek for about a mile. Just beyond Styx Branch you will discover the power of Mother Nature as you see the log and boulder remains from the landslide caused by the flash flood of 1993. At 1 ½ miles a stone stairway will help your passage through one of the natural arches in the park at Arch Rock. Beyond Arch Rock you will experience the panoramic view at Inspiration Point and then on to the ledge of black slate protruding over the trail at Alum Cave.
The Appalachian Trail is often called the AT and it is over 2,000 miles in length crossing parts of 14 states from Georgia to Maine. Serving as a boundary between Tennessee and North Carolina, a 69 mile section of the Appalachian Trail is accessible from several trails in the Smoky Mountains. One popular access point is from the Newfound Gap parking area where you hike modest lengths north or south on the trail.
The Boogerman Trail Loop is a well maintained trail that takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the Tennessee side of the Smoky Mountains. It’s a seven mile loop in the Cataloochee section of the Park on the NC side. You should probably allow about three hours for this moderately challenging hike.
The land around Boogerman Trail Loop was spared from the early logging operations in the Smokies so you will enjoy established forest with some of the largest trees in the area. Remains of historic homesites are scattered along the way and you will encounter several log foot bridges, deep pools of water and rushing falls. From white pine forest to towering hemlocks the area provides a beautiful and enjoyable opportunity for exploration.
Ramsay Cascades Trail is in the Greenbrier section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and begins from the parking area located on Ramsay Prong Road about 10 miles from Gatlinburg. The round-trip is approximately eight miles and you should allow at least four hours for the journey.
The hike to Ramsay Cascade falls is one of the most popular and rewarding for hikers as well as photographers and artists. Along the way you will experience a canopy of old-growth trees including black cherries, hemlocks, yellow birch and some of the largest chestnut oaks in the Smoky Mountains. In the spring cucumber trees adorn the area with their brilliant yellow blossoms. Huge boulders identify the approach to Ramsay Cascades as the trail winds its way toward the most spectacular waterfall in the entire Park where two streams create a flow that plunges over eight stair-step ledges for nearly one hundred feet.
Other destinations await the more dedicated hiker who wants to travel beyond Ramsay Cascade falls. About a ½ mile above Ramsay Cascade is Drinkwater Pool. The same distance beyond Drinkwater Pool is another beautiful sight. More than a dozen smaller waterfalls scattered on the face of a 200 foot cliff spill from their pools on their journey to lower elevations. Waiting about another 1 ½ miles above these falls is the Appalachian Trail.
Rainbow Falls Trail can be challenging and it is one of the several trails that lead to the top of Mt. LeConte. The trail head is located at the edge of the Rainbow Falls parking area about 4 miles outside of Gatlinburg. It is a 2.8 mile hike to the beautiful Rainbow Falls and 6.7 miles if you go all the way to Mt LeConte. The trail becomes more difficult from Rainbow Falls to Mt LeConte and because of the elevation increase of 4,000 feet you should be prepared for significant changes in climate.
The Shuckstack Tower hike starts from the north side of Fontana Dam. It is 6.8 miles round-trip to the historic Shuckstack fire tower. This can be a strenuous yet very rewarding hike. You should plan your trip around the weather as snow, rain and wet leaves can make the trail slick and much of the terrain is steep.
The hike starts from the north side of Fontana Dam. The best time for this hike is on a clear day as you will experience some incredible mountain views. The tower is a wood and metal structure with an 80 foot staircase. While the view from the ground is fantastic, the view from the top of the tower provides a spectacular 360 degree view of the mountains. You will be able to look out over the Snowbird and Nantahala Mountains, Unicoi Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Smoky Mountains.
The Chimney Tops trail head begins from the Chimney Tops parking lot on Newfound Gap road in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Chimney Tops is a hike where you will experience quite a bit of rough and steep terrain. It has become one of the most popular trails in the Smokies because of it’s abundant wildflowers, streams, large trees and great views. This trail will require strength and caution but it is well worth the effort.
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