Looking to clear your head after a stressful period? Then get away from it all by taking a break from the trials of work and a trying economy and hit the trails.
Sure, a Buenos Aires vacation would be nice, but it’s pretty far away. Instead, lace up your boots and head toward a nearby cheap vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains, where you can blaze a trail on one of the most talked about destination spots in the news these days: the Appalachian Trail. This adventure in the Great Outdoors is just a short three-hour drive from most spots in the Southeast–especially Atlanta and, well, South Carolina.
The Appalachian Trail runs straight through the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is just outside of Tennessee’s tourist mecca of Gatlinburg, and is the most visited national park in the United States. This natural wonder of ancient, majestic mountains; clifftop vistas; panoramic views; dense forests; colorful fauna; and diverse wildlife that stretches across Tennessee and into North Carolina is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise.
Eight hundred miles of hiking trails run through the park, and a good friend of mine named Doug just recently spent a day there traversing these natural paths (he actually did go there to get away from it all). It’s an annual trip he makes, and his favorite spot is Charlie’s Bunion, a mountainside precipice along the actual Appalachian Trail that makes you feel as if you’re up in the clouds. On his way to that point, he stopped to tie his shoe and looked up to see one of the estimated 1,500 black bears who call the area home staring back at him–both went on their merry ways, but it was a surprise encounter he will never forget. There’s also plenty of deer, elk and 10,000 other known species of plants and animals.
Other popular hiking locations include Alum Cave Trail and Arch Rock on Mount Le Conte, the Chimney Tops, Laurel Falls and Clingman’s Dome–the highest point in the park. There’s great variety for either the short waltz through the woods type of hiker or those who enjoy strenuous treks requiring an overnight camp under the stars.
Hiking is not the only activity offered here–there’s also great trout and fly-fishing, horse back riding, biking, water tubing, auto touring, park ranger-guided programs, picnicking, bird watching, and site camping. Of course, if camping’s not your thing, there are plenty of options to find a cheap hotel in nearby Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge.
There’s plenty of things to do here for getting away from it all and clearing your mind. So when planning a trip, just make sure everyone knows exactly where you’re going. And do actually go there. Regardless of whether or not you’re a politician.
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Something I’ve always wanted to do. Thanks for the reminder!
Love this picture!
Very informative post. The Appalachian Trail is a adventure enthusiasts, you can see nature trail some never seen before. Appalachian Trail is a 2200 miles trek, From Georgia to Maine you can see many natural surrounding like mountains, laurel pastoral lands and dense forests. South of New England you can see poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, Lizards are also running on the rock. visit national parks to see wild animal. Appalachian Trail is a best place for research of temperate zone species allover the world. For more details refer http://www.travelfront.com/gauging-live-laboratory-in-appalachian-track/