Western Smokies

Cades Cove is the main attraction on the Tennessee side of the western smokies. An eleven mile one-way loop road circles the large grassy field, which is home to numerous historic structures, many of which have been moved here from other parts of the park. On a nice weekend, this drive can take many hours, and often it would be faster to walk. At night, and every Saturday morning, the road is closed to vehicles. At these times, the loop road is an attractive bicycle route, and our club has moonlight bike rides there almost every full moon. The Cove is a great place to look for wildlife, including numerous deer and an occasional bear. Red wolves have been released in the area as well, and can be heard howling at night.

Perhaps the most popular short hike from Cades Cove is to Abrams Falls. Actually, the falls can be reached both from the Cove, and from the ranger station on the park's western boundary. The hike from the boundary is longer, but uncrowded, though the trail condition is not always the best.

Numerous balds along the Appalachian Trail above Cades Cove provide spectacular views. Rocky Top, a steep 6 mile climb from the Cades Cove picnic area, has superb views into North Carolina, overlooking Fontana Lake. Gregory's Bald is noted for its flame azaleas, which bloom in June. This bald has the best display of azaleas in the entire region, with many different unusual colors. Gregory's Bald is also an excellent overnight backpacking destination. There is a beautiful campsite nearby, and a favorite spring. The balds are accessible both from Cades Cove and from the North Carolina side. The trails on the North Carolina side may be more difficult, but are generally less used. Twenty Mile Ranger Station is an excellent starting point for climbing to Gregory's Bald.

The Little River flowing along the road between Gatlinburg and Townshend is popular for kayakers, when there is adequate water. Some parts can be quite challenging, including the Sinks, which is also a popular swimming hole. Other parts are easier and suitable for beginners, and numerous tubers can be seen there in the summer.

The Appalachian Trail enters the park next to Fontana Dam. Following the trail a short way leads to Shuckstack fire tower, a tall metal tower with excellent views across the lake into North Carolina, for those not afraid of heights. In fact, you can make a nice overnight loop past the fire tower and back along the lake. This is the Shuckstack Loop, and is about 12 miles long. There aren't as many bridges on trails on the North Carolina side of the park as on the more developed Tennessee side, so expect to get wet feet when hiking there.

Fontana Lake follows the park boundary on the North Carolina side. Some campsites here are accessible by boat, including Proctor, a ghost town abandoned relatively recently when the land on that side of the lake was taken for the park. The "Road to Nowhere" leads from Bryson City to a tunnel, which was intended to lead to a road along the lake, but that road was never built. Now, Lakeshore Trail follows that route. You can make a 40 mile loop including Lakeshore Trail and an inland trail which passes the viewpoint High Rocks, where there is an old ranger's cabin. You could make an even bigger loop all the way up to the Appalachian trail, if time permits.

The Fontana side of the park is accessible from Knoxville by taking Rt. 129 through Maryville, and then staying on it when it turns left just past Maryville. The section crossing the mountains, following the park's boundary, is known as "The Dragon" to motorcyclists, who come from all around to experience its more than 100 beautifully banked hairpin turns. Some of them don't survive. This road is also a common source of car sickness.

Great Smoky Mountains