What-To-Do Issue 3 2025-2026 - Magazine - Page 22
Exploring the Mountains
Getting Around the Smokies
While visiting the Smoky Mountains, take some
time to truly get out into the park and witness
the beauty of the region. There’s so much to see
and do! Countless modes of getting around are
available to the intrepid explorer. You can take a
leisurely hike that permits you to stop and smell
the wildflowers or ride a modern high-speed
vehicle that quickly brings you to remote places.
Discover native plants and animals, remote waterfalls, or maybe a good fishing spot while you’re
out-and-about. Regardless of which method you
take for getting around the mountains, you’ll be
glad you started the journey.
Discover Scenic Trails
Many visitors to the Smokies like to take their
time and enjoy nature on their own. On any given
day, hikers and those just out for a stroll are meandering around the park. Throughout the national
park, numerous paths take trekkers to secluded
spots that may include waterfalls, historic landmarks or scenic overlooks. Plus, you’ll be able to
travel at your own pace—pausing wherever you
like to investigate a native plant or observe wild
animals such as elk or bears as they go about their
day. The most famous hike in the Smokies is along
the Appalachian Trail, which extends throughout
22 WHAT-TO-DO.com
www.
the entire park from the southwest to the northeast. Other popular hikes take adventurers
through the backcountry on journeys to features
such as waterfalls or balds. See page 88 for hiking maps you can use to find a trail that suits your
speed and skill.
Bicycling through the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park can be a bit tricky due to automotive traffic and tight turns around mountains.
However, one of the best and most popular locations to partake in this activity is at Cades Cove. At
select times, the trail is even closed to automotive
traffic so that bicyclists can safely ride along the
11-mile loop. Mountain biking can also be done on
the Gatlinburg Trail, the Oconaluftee River Trail,
and the lower Deep Creek Trail. These are the only
paths in the park for bicyclists, but please use caution because they are open to hikers as well.
An interesting and fun way to get around is
by horseback. Stables in some of the areas surrounding the Great Smoky Mountains National
Park offer horseback riding across acres of beautiful land. Guides will take you through the hills and
across rivers or creeks on an invigorating ride into
nature. It’s actually great exercise for both you and
your horse while also being easy on your feet! Visit
(continued on page 48)
