

Looking out to your left offers a pretty view, while following the unmarked trail up the hill a short distance to a bench where you (or them that beat you there, HA) can enjoy peacefulness, and maybe even say a quick prayer asking Almighty God above to intercede against the increasing pollution invading the Smokies, while you relax in His Great Smoky Mountains.Īsk an older companion that had visited here years ago about the beautiful views that were common most any day here in the Smokies. Searching for Gatlinburg Cabins for that special getaway? Let Heartland Cabin Rentals help you find the perfect Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge cabin.As your odometer nears 1.15 miles from the start of your tour, watch on your LEFT for marker #3! Just a short distance past it on your LEFT is a parking area for you to stop and enjoy the special features of Marker #3.The Haze Invades! Old farmhouses, barns, corncribs and mills are the last vestiges of these frontiersmen and their rugged existence. The simple log farmhouse and other remaining primitive structures can only reveal some facets of rural life, but the buildings’ stark simplicity is still a strong reminder of the way things used to be.Īt different sites along the road are preserved homesteads similar to the Ogle farm, including the homes of Jim Bales, Ephraim Bales and Alfred Reagan. One of the first sights you’ll see is the Noah “Bud” Ogle homestead, a 400-acre farm that was settled in 1879 by Ogle and his wife, Cindy. Roaring Fork is also heavily steeped in history. Before exiting the loop, when you’re back near downtown Gatlinburg, look for another trailhead to Baskins Creek Falls as well as Thousand Drips Falls.


Only 1.5 miles along Trillium Gap Trail is Grotto Falls, which is a good hike in itself because it combines a relatively short, easy trail with an interesting destination. You’ll find the parking area for the Rainbow Falls Trail about three miles from the start, and not far beyond that is a path that leads hikers on a moderately strenuous walk of 1.3 miles to Baskins Creek Falls.Īpproximately halfway along the motor trail is one of several entrances to Trillium Gap Trail, which leads to Mt. For example, there are several stops along the route where you’ll find trailheads to some of the area’s most popular hiking trails-some of which lead to the summit of Mt. Simply continue straight ahead on Cherokee Orchard Road (Mills Park is on the right), and within moments, you’re plunged into a serene environment where woods and vegetation dominate.įrom a natural perspective, the tour offers everything from rocks and hills to forests and streams to animals and waterfalls. The journey begins in downtown Gatlinburg by following Historic Nature Trail (formerly known as Airport Road) to a four-way intersection at the entrance to the Park Vista Hotel. Looking for a scenic adventure, a cool thing to do in Gatlinburg? The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a six-mile, self-guided auto loop that takes travelers on a journey through nature and history. A lot of visitors to the Smokies are familiar with the Cades Cove auto loop in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But perhaps not as many folks know that there’s another historic auto loop in the park that’s no farther away than many of our Gatlinburg Cabins.
