Τα 5 καλύτερα φυσικά μνημεία Townsend

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, particularly Cades Cove, is recognized for its stunning views, diverse flora and fauna, and large crowds. The 11-mile loop at Cades Cove (actually 9.98 miles) is closed to automobile traffic on Wednesdays during the summer to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, including e-bikes. Expect significant crowds unless you visit at dawn.

As the road passes under Rocky Mountain a viewpoint opens up which takes your breath away. It is especially beautiful in the autumn when the reds, golds and burnt oranges of the season make the scenery come alive.

The Cades Cove loop winds for 11 miles through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's a glorious ride on a bike with a backdrop of mountain peaks and lush green countryside. The views from here are particularly stunning.

The Middle Prong Trail follows Lynn Camp Prong (a wide creek in the Smoky Mountains) for several miles. The first three-quarters of a mile up the trail has continuous overlooks of cascading rapids and waterfalls in the creek bed. The trail is wide and easy to follow, and if there are crowds (which there will be in the summer and fall months), the cascades just drown out the sounds of the other visitors.

Spruce Flats Falls is only a short hike from the Upper Tremont Road Parking Lot, but the trail is pretty rocky and rooty. The trail actually doesn't even show up on park maps, but the trail is well blazed and easy to follow. There is a set of narrow, wooden walkways and steps before getting down to the waters. The falls, themselves, are an awesome sight and frequented by many visitors. You can get closer to the falls on the shore, but be careful of rocky and slick footing.

Coming down from top of the Smoky's, I took the side road Fighting Creek Gap Rd to avoid crowds. It was highlight of the day. After a bit of climbing you will meet Little River at the fork with Elkmont Rd. After that is all downhill, following river all the way. Don't rush, savour the moment, stop to cool down in the river. Water is pristine and refreshing. My first thought was how would be so much fun to go down those rapids with tube or kayak. Can you imagine over 20km of uninterrupted, class 1 or 2 rapids and you in the tube/kayak. I have to come back. At the point where I stopped is campground with the dam that created calm area for swimming. Perfect location to finish the day. Close by BBQ restaurant offers river side patio dining with good food at reasonable prices. Enjoy and respect. Thanks