DAZZLING SPRING HIKES IN GATLINBURG
Early Spring
Cove Hardwood Self-Guided Nature Trail: Close to Gatlinburg and easy to access, this is a perfect trail
for novice hikers. Just a three-quarters of a mile loop, the trail appears on the National Park Service’s list of
recommended wildflower hikes. You can find early flowers here in March such as trout-lilies, which Native
Americans took as a hint it was time to start fishing for trout, but don’t worry if you’re late to the party — the
wildflower show lasts until June.
Mid-Spring
Chestnut Top Trail: Located about forty-five minutes’ drive from Gatlinburg, Chestnut Top Trail is a fairly
strenuous climb which achieves nearly 1500 feet of elevation on a 8.6 mile roundtrip hike. The low elevations
of this trail burst into color with spring beauties and other early wildflowers in early March, and continues
throughout the season with bold blooms such as white trillium and fire pinks. Visit before the dense green
leaves of summer arrive and you’ll get a gorgeous overlook of the Townsend and Tuckaleechee Coves.
Late Spring
Rich Mountain Loop: This trail is filled with delight
in any season, but its wildflowers make April and
May wonderful times to visit. Beginning with one of
the beautiful Cades Cove meadows and passing
the historic John Oliver cabin, the Rich Mountain
Loop continues through rich growth of mountain
laurel, flame azalea, and other brilliant wildflowers.
This trail also meets up with several other trails which
can take you past Crooked Arm Falls, a twenty-five
foot waterfall. Visit Hiking in the Smokies for details
on this detour.
Gatlinburg UPDATE
It has been nearly three months since
wildfires swept through Gatlinburg.
Since then, the town has banded
together and recovery, rebuilding and
a renewed sense of commitment to
community can be felt everywhere.
The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce
reports that no restrictions are in place.
Looking Ahead to Summer
Gregory Bald: The azaleas of Gregory Bald are world-famous. These brilliant
blooms take over the shrubbery at the top of this ridge, and appear in hybrid colors
and patterns not found anywhere else in the world. White, pink, orange, and yellow
azaleas have been hybridizing on their own for the past seventy years, since the
bald’s grazing land was closed, and now researchers mingle with hikers, taking in
the spectacle. This is a challenging hike located in the Cades Cove region of the
park, and there are several ways to reach it, outlined here at Hiking in the Smokies.
No matter what season you visit the Great Smoky Mountains, you’ll find
breathtaking scenery awaiting you! Make your stay convenient and comfortable at
Gatlinburg Town Square by Exploria Resorts, with accommodations from studios to
two-bedroom condos, many with fireplaces. Play in our indoor pool all winter and
our outdoor pool all summer, and walk to downtown Gatlinburg. Or head out to the
country and stay in a furnished condo at Mountain Meadows by Exploria Resorts,
in nearby Pigeon Forge. You can find out more by clicking on our Destinations tab.
The town is open, fully operational,
and ready for spring vacationers.
While the cleanup at Gatlinburg Town
Square continues, the resort is open
and fully operational.
The National Park Service reports
that all hiking trails are expected to be
open for springtime wildflower gazing.
To learn more about park updates and
road/trail closures due to weather and
refurbishments, visit
www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/
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VACATIONmode | SPRING 2017
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