Eric’s hiking/food/things guidebook to Gatlinburg and surrounding areas

My Guest Guide for Hiking, Food, Things to do…… There are so many options and so little time, so here are a few of my favorites in our neighborhood....enjoy! Hikes Please keep in mind that there is a nominal parking fee in the GSMNP. Information on current conditions and closures can be found online. All time favorite but can be a busy trail...Fantastic winter hike!! Mt. Leconte via Alum Cave (moderate/hard) This one is close to the cabin and is my second favorite. Ramsey Cascades (moderate/hard)…(no fee to park) Also, when you turn onto Greenbriar off of 321 on your way to the trail head there are some picnic areas and fantastic swimming in the Little Pigeon river! Great soak after the hike! Chimney Tops, nice trail...can feel very steep at times...lol Get there early as it gets very busy especially in the summer months! Other favorites…. Cataract Falls, Sugarland visitors center- easy Laurel Falls-easy Grotto Falls-moderate Baskin Creek-moderate Abrams Falls (Cades Cove) Rainbow Falls Charles Bunion Andrews Bald Some my favorites once again ....many others also. Views Clingmans Dome- beautiful views and hiking Newfound Gap- beautiful views and hiking Cades Cove - bears, turkey, deer, horses on any given day and a scenic 11-mile loop in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Touring the Cove Vehicle-free access along the Cades Cove Loop Road takes place each Wednesday, from May 3 through September 27, 2023. On these days, the 11-mile loop can be enjoyed on foot or bicycle. NO MOTOR VEHICALS ALLOWED WEDNESDAYS MAY 3RD - SEPTEMBER 27TH An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sightsee at a leisurely pace. Allow at least two to four hours to tour Cades Cove, longer if you walk some of the area's trails. Traffic is heavy during the tourist season in summer and fall and on weekends year-round. While driving the loop road, please be courteous to other visitors and use pullouts when stopping to enjoy the scenery or view wildlife. Foothills Parkway (Walland to Wears Valley)- beautiful views Elk- The closest place from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg to view the Elk in the Great Smoky Mountains is at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Mountain Farm Museum. Just follow Newfound gap Road (Hwy 441) towards Cherokee North Carolina. Swimming holes The Sinks Greenbriar The Wye, Townsend Little drive but worth it! All 3 in the same general area Max Patch..Bald on the AP with fantastic sunset and sunrise (CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE) Mouse Creek Falls/Midnight Hole....Crystal clear COLD water, boulder jumping!!! White water rafting in Hartford Food and drink Near the cabin, Local and Mom/Pop places Delauders (Best BBQ, no frills) Call to make sure they are open before going. Timbers log cabin restaurant (breakfast and lunch only) Fox and Parrot British pub and Rampant Lion with great fish and chips and cold beer and a few ciders. Both owned by the same family. The Lion has a full bar. Bec’s (local hang out, beer and wine, fantastic Reubens, burgers and wing) Split Rail Glades Soda Fountain (Ice cream, old fashioned soda drinks, splits) Not Mom and Pops but still very close to the cabin Red Oak Bistro (Tapas and wine) The Greenbriar (High end, romantic) *Highly recommend* Crystal Creek (all around good food and drink with lots of TV’s Brew Pubs in Gatlinburg Gatlinburg Brewing Company (Great beers and food/music) Smokey Mountain Brewing (Same) another location in Pigeon Forge/Sevierville Pigeon Forge Brews/Music Yee-Haw (The Island in Pigeon Forge) Junction 35 on Teaster (not a brew pub but good drinks, music/food Listening Room Café (reservations on-line) Med to high end eats in Gatlinburg The Greenbriar (High end, romantic) *Highly recommend* The Alamo …Steak… Cherokee grill …Steak… The Park Grill…Steak… Chesapeake's Seafood and Raw Bar …Seafood… Ole Reds…Live music Taste of Italy …Italian…Close to cabin… Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria …Italian… Pub style in Gatlinburg Tom and Earls Back Ally Grill Smokey Mountain Brewery Fox and Parrot (Close to the cabin on Glades) GREAT fish and chips) British pub. Gatlinburg Brew Pub Breakfast in Gatlinburg Crocketts Breakfast camp Popular places in Pigeon Forge/Sevierville The Old Mill restaurant Paula Deans Applewood Farm House Five Oaks Farm kitchen. And so many more.....If you are looking for something specific just let me know. Fun stuff to do....... There are so many options and so little time so here are a few of my favorites.. Horseback Riding - I use Sugarlands. Great people, trails and healthy Horses! Zip lines Legacy Mountain is the best and my all-time favorite. Get reserved ASAP! Wahoo (check Groupon for discounts and bundles with rafting) Rafting - Hartford is just outside of Cosby and has a bunch of outfitters, I use 5 Rivers Adventures and Raft Outdoor Adventures. Check Groupon for deals for them and others. Book ASAP also! There many other good options….look on Groupon Amusements Anakeesta Sky Bridge Ober Gatlinburg and Tram – Summer activities/Winter skiing, snowboarding, tubbing Dollywood and water park Soaky Mountain Water Park Nascar Speed Park (go carts and things) So many others but once again my favorites Hope this helps! -- Eric Bloom