Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Smokies has to be one of my favourite places on earth. I've been busy in the last few years, mis-spending my youth travelling and taking part in odd projects, but my favourite time was in the Smoky Mountains. They're located in Tennessee/North Carolina, the border of the two states bisects the park, and the Appalachian Trail follows this border for most of the length of GSMNP. The Smokies were brought last century using a combination of public funding and a generous donation by a certain Mr Rockefeller. This legacy means that unlike most national parks in the USA, the Smokies are free to enter and enjoy. The majority of visitors stay in ...  Read the complete review

During a trip round the southern states of America we spent four nights in a lovely cabin in the Smoky Mountains. I will try to give you an idea of the cabin and the mountains themselves. When we decided to include the Smoky Mountains in our trip we decided that the only place to stay was in a log cabin and we were right! We rented a cabin from a company called Timber Tops (there are loads of others) and chose one called Four Bears Getaway. We were advised that we would need a four-wheel drive car to get to the cabin easily. This turned out to be especially true when we were treated to a Tennessee storm of mammoth proportions and a river was running down the ...  Read the complete review

Similar to the Scottish Highlands in atmosphere and appearance (and with a large population of Scottish immigrants), Western North Carolina is one of the loveliest locations on Earth, and is packed with attractions and fun activities for the entire family, especially if you are a nature and wildlife lover. It is so much more than just the Great Smoky Mountains. From majestic mountains, sparkling waterfalls, breathtaking autumn colours, and thousands of acres of rolling national forest, to ski resorts, spas, amusement parks, and fine dining, this area of the United States is as versatile as it is charming. It has been called a haven for artists, and if you ever see the ...  Read the complete review

High up in The Smokey Mountains it’s hard to believe there is so much going on, but there is. The Sugarland Centre for visitors (which you will have no problem finding, just follow the signs) is full of information of all kinds from accommodation, to entertainment even Harrah’s Cherokee Smokey Mountain Casino is up there, but in particular there’s lots on nature treks and trails. We went on the Cherokee Orchard motor nature trail which took us 8 miles into the mountains in a circle and past Cades Cove and Roaring Fork and just as the names say, the most spectacular cove with stunning scenery in the misty distance and roaring waterfalls. I felt ...  Read the complete review