GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE, USA -- You'll find numerous recreational activities within the borders of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, including over 800 miles of hiking trails, some suitable for horseback riding and many roads perfect for cycling.

Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The trails traversing the park range from easy to advanced. You can opt to do as little as a leisurely half hour stroll through the woods to as much as a week long back country backpacking expedition. The famed Appalachian Trail runs for 70 miles along the park's top ridge.

If you don't know the area, one of the best ways to explore this park is with a guided hike. Husband and wife team Erik and Vesna Plakanis of A Walk in the Woods are nature experts who have safely guided over 7000 people through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park since 1998. Walking encyclopedias of local flora, fauna and history, Erik and Vesna help their guests see the forest for the trees. You'll learn about (and taste) wild edible plants along the trails, as well as which ones to avoid. You'll discover how to spot various animals and learn about all the critters who call this magnificent place home, as well as become acquainted with the life of the Indians and Settlers who used to live within the park's boundaries.

A Walk in the Woods offers everything from a 2 1/2 hour stroll to full and half day hiking trips, to overnight backpacking expeditions and women in the wilderness backpacking trips, all lead by enthusiastic, knowledgeable guides certified in wilderness first aid and Red-Cross first aid and CPR.

In addition there are numerous ranger led programs and hikes in the park, including a breathtaking full moon hike that highlights the cloud draped mountains to full advantage, and junior ranger program especially designed for families.

Biking Cades Cove

While bicycles can travel on most roads in the park, steep terrain, narrow pavement and heavy traffic make a good deal of them less than ideal. One bright exception is the 11 mile Cades Cove Loop Road.

One of the most interesting places to experience both the diverse wild nature the park offers as well as the human history of the land is in Cades Cove. Trailheads to seven hiking trails are easily reached from the Cades Cove Loop Road. As stewards of historic resources, the park maintains and preserves a collection of 77 structures in five historic districts.

If you don't want to drive, a bicycle provides the best way to the see the "Cove" (a flat valley between mountains or ridges in Smoky Mountain vernacular). The 11 mile loop of paved road has enough ups and downs to give an intermediate exerciser a good workout without being totally exhausting. Along the way you'll roll through meadows, tree covered forests, and past structures and historical sites that offer a glimpse back in time to 1900 when the cove was home to over 100 families.

You'll pedal up and glide down gentle hills (with 2 or 3 steeper climbs, but nothing ultra intimidating) You can choose to stop at points of interest along the way like cabins, barns, churches, cemeteries and even an old mill.

Keep in the mind that once you start the Cades Cover loop there are no facilities until you reach the Cable Mill Historic Area and Visitors Center, a little more than halfway through the loop. All sites of interest are clearly marked and you can pick up a map at the visitors center at the beginning of the loop.

Watch for wildlife as you ride along. We saw plenty of deer and wild turkey on our pedal through the cove, as well as a fox. The bird watchers in the group were literally having a field day. While the odds are against your actually seeing a black bear (they want to see you even less than you want to encounter them), it's not unusual to see their tracks.

Most of the time, cyclists must share the road with cars on the Cades Cove Loop (not usually a problem, as both sides are generally polite of the each other). That said, if you prefer to bike without the intrusion of motors and the fumes that go with them, starting the second week in May through the second to the last Saturday in September, the Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor traffic Wednesday and Saturday mornings until 10AM. Go forth and cycle in peace.

The Smokies on Horseback

About 550 miles of the park's hiking trails are open to horses, although keep in mind that horses are strictly restricted to trails specifically designated for horse use. You can rent horses from several locations (see below). If you wish to ride your own horse in the park, be sure to obtain a copy of the park's trail map. This map indicates the trails on which you may ride horses and explains the park's rules and regulations concerning horse riding in the back country. It also provides information about back country camping, and permit requirements. To obtain an official trail map, stop at any park visitor center or call (865) 436-0120.

Horse riders may use designated campsites located on trails open to their use, however some back country campsites must be reserved in advance. These sites are indicated on the park's trail map. Five drive-in horse camps provide ready access to back country horse trails in the park. Camps are located at Cades Cove (Anthony Creek), Big Creek, Cataloochee, Round Bottom, and Towstring. Horse camps are open from April through October. Reservations are required and may be made for all five-horse camps through the National Park Reservation Service by calling 1-800-365-2267 (park code GRE) between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. or by visiting the web site http://reservations.nps.gov.

Practicalities

For more information about visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, camping, fishing, ranger programs and more call 423-436-1200 or visit www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm or www.nps.gov/grsm/gsmsite/home.

You can contact the Great Smoky Mountains Association, a volunteer organization that supports the park and also offers numerous programs at 888-898-9102 or visit www.SmokiesStores.org.

For more information about A Walk in the Woods guided walks, hikes and backpacking trips call 865-436-8283 or visit www.awalkinthewoods.com.

You can rent bicycles from Cycle Quest Bikes in nearby Pigeon Forge. For more information visit www.cyclequestbikes.com.

To rent horses in Cades Cove, call (865) 448-6286 (also offers hay rides and carriage rides). You can also rent horses through Smoky Mountain Stables, near Gatlinburg. Call (865) 436-5634 or visit www.smokymountainridingstables.com for additional information.

For further information and reservations, contact the City of Gatlinburg Department of Tourism and Convention Center at 800-568-4748 or click to www.gatlinburg-tn.com .

If you plan on driving to Gatlinburg, be sure to check out the time saving article below. If you plan to fly, US Airways serves nearby Knoxville, for reservations call 1-800-428-4322 or visit www.usairways.com.

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Cheri Sicard, in addition to being the editor of FabulousTravel.com and its sister site, Fabulous Foods.com is the author of The Great American Handbook: What You Can Do For Your Country Today and Every Day. To learn more about Cheri, click here.