WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Smokys by car

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    10-17-2007
    Location
    Newark, Ohio
    Posts
    1,010
    Images
    45

    Default Smokys by car

    Yeah, I know this is a hiking site. On my way thru in 2008 I stayed on the trail and really didn't see much unless it was directly on the trail. I'll be in Pigeon Forge next weekend for a few days, and planned on spending a day in the park. I really don't have much time for hiking but wanted to check out some of the park I didn't get to explore while hiking thru. Any suggestions for places to visit that are accessible by car?

  2. #2
    Registered User C-Stepper's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-25-2004
    Location
    Apex, NC
    Age
    54
    Posts
    178

    Default

    Cades Cove

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    07-02-2016
    Location
    Townsend, TN
    Age
    63
    Posts
    55

    Default

    Most of the good roads are closed for the season, so I am going to recommend that you drive through Cades Cove. This time of year it is nice, very little tourist traffic and the odds of getting caught in a bear jam are low. I was there last Friday for several hours of off trail exploring and saw less than 5 cars total on the loop road. Beautiful scenery and lots of wildlife. Take Little River and Laurel Creek Roads to get there from Gatlinburg to get the most bang for your buck. The only other good option would be to drive Newfound Gap Road over the mountain to Cherokee and back.

  4. #4
    GSMNP 900 Miler
    Join Date
    02-25-2007
    Location
    Birmingham, AL
    Age
    57
    Posts
    4,861
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    5

    Default

    If you want to do some hiking, and if you're going to drive the Cades Cove loop, I'd suggest hiking to Abrams Falls. The trail head is located down a short dirt road a little less than 1/2 way round the cove. The falls are located about 2 miles from the trial head. IMHO, Abrams is the best water fall in the park.
    Another popular day hike is Alum Cave Trail. The trail head is located about 1/2 way between Gatlinburg and New Found Gap. A popular destination is Alum Cave Bluffs located about 2.5 miles from the trail head, or you could go all the way to the top of Mt. LeConte if you feel like doing 10+ miles in one day (something I wouldn't recommend to the casual visitor, but as an AT thru hiker, it should be well within your range of capability).

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    10-17-2007
    Location
    Newark, Ohio
    Posts
    1,010
    Images
    45

    Default

    Thanks. Heading to Cade's Cove right now.

++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •