After months of strenuous work and hectic schedules, are you desperately in need of a change of scenery? Of course, yes, but the question is where to spend one’s hard-earned money for a good retreat. We’ve come up with just the place for a relaxing vacation; visit the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee! A place that gives a complete change of scene, open vistas, and running streams to soothe the senses.
Away from the heat of work and the vagrancies of the weather, it’s the perfect retreat for you among the great mountains with the perfect weather. We also compiled some peaceful activities for you to plan ahead of your trip to Tennessee. Start packing your bags because what we’re about to tell you is too good to be true (and it is true)!
Look For a Beautiful Place to Stay
When going into the mountains, you can expect to find some beautiful locations to stay. If you are one of those looking to have a laid-back vacation, then Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (home to the Smokey Mountain Ranges) has what you’re looking for. With beautiful mountains surrounding it, there are lots of places you can stay and enjoy the view. A quick search for hotels in Pigeon Forge will give results of the best lodges and hotels in the vicinity. You’ll be able to find good deals for great views and the best facilities to enjoy as a vacationer.
Explore Hiking Trails
If the adventurer in you is desperately looking for a way out, then the Great Smokey Mountain range is the best place to let it loose. The Great Smokey Mountains National Park is home to one of the best hiking trails, each with unique features along the route.
The most popular trail by vote is the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. It’s a trail where you can drive around scenic beauty and greenery. It’s a great place for motoring enthusiasts to cruise along slowly and enjoy the view. It’s a path that goes for 6 miles, with many twists and turns to form one loop. The road is only wide enough for cars and pickup trucks. One word of advice, if you want to stop somewhere and snack while taking in the surrounding scenery, then pack your lunch with you as there are no visitor centers or small shacks for food.
Another popular hiking trail is the Alum Cave trail. It’s a 4.4-mile-long trail, rated as moderately difficult to complete. With its highs and lows, it has a lot of beautiful views. The trail starts ascending beyond the Arch Rock. Along the trail, the scene is dominated by views of the Anakeesta River on the left. Two miles into the trail, you’ll glimpse the Little Duck Hawk Ridge and Myrtle Point.
Other popular routes include the Chimney Tops Trail, Rainbow Falls Trail, Gatlinburg Trail, and the Grotto Falls trail. Each trail has its unique characteristics and features, and going into each would require a whole other piece! Let the adventurer in you loose and discover the lesser-known tracks of the great mountain range.
Sporting Events in The Mountains
Mountainous terrains open doors to some extreme sporting options; That’s right, with powerful 4WD vehicles at your service, why not take on the rocky terrains of the Great Smokey Mountains. Be warned; this is not for the faint-hearted!
Jeeps offer open-air tours of the mountain range, such as the Roaring Fork, Newfound Gap, Valleys and Views, and the Foothills Parkway. It’s indeed a thrilling way to explore Gatlinburg and the mountain ranges. It’s almost a two-and-a-half-hour ride and offers a complete refund if you want to cancel. However, you must cancel your booking 24 hours in advance.
Explore Beautiful Sights
Gatlinburg is no stranger to some of the most beautiful sightseeing spots, and it would be criminal to come so far and not see the iconic areas. Here are a few spots that we think are a must-see on your trip to Tennessee.
Newfound Gap is perhaps the most popular one. It’s a low point in the mountain ridge where you will enjoy great views of the mountain range. It provides access to the Appalachian Trail and the Rockefeller monument.
Another great spot is Clingman’s Dome. Clingman’s Dome is the name of one of the mountains, and at the peak of that mountain, you’ll find a serene atmosphere and some fantastic views to enjoy. It is said that you’ll be able to observe six states from the top of that mountain!
Charlie’s Bunion is another highly recommended viewpoint. It is accessible by an 8-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail. A long, strenuous hike will surely be worth it when your eyes are treated to some refreshing views.
Mount LeConte is the 3rd highest peak in the Smokey Mountains range, with 6594 feet! It has five trails to the summit, with the Alum Cave trail being the shortest. On the way to the summit, you will find Arch Rock and Alum Cave Bluffs. These bluffs feature in Cherokee lore and are rich in mineral deposits.
The Chimney Tops Trail is one of the most strenuous trails, with a very steep trail leading to the chimney tops. It’s a challenging hike to the top, but the reward of spectacular views makes up for the hard work.
Conclusion
In short, the Great Smokey Mountain Ranges can be the perfect retreat for you. It will awaken the adventurer in you, and the views will leave you searching for more. Hiking trails such as the Roaring Fork with the waterfalls flowing as you drive will add to the serenity of the atmosphere. You can explore the rocky terrains on motor vehicles and go on to explore the beautiful sights that lie at the end of the famed trails at spots such as the Chimney Tops, Charlie’s Bunion, and the summit of Clingman’s Dome. Now that you’re convinced waste no time booking your vacation at Gatlinburg now!