CADES COVE LOOP ROAD One of the most popular areas within the park resides in the Cades Cove district with the main attraction being the 11-mile one-way scenic loop. Usually, the scenic loop is open to drivers from sun up to sun down.

First, you can follow the Pigeon Forge Parkway all the way into Gatlinburg, then to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Then, just follow the directions from Gatlinburg to Cades Cove. Second, you can take Wears Valley Road and take a drive through Wears Valley to Townsend to reach Cades Cove.

Primary roads such as US-441 (Newfound Gap Road), Little River Road, and the Cades Cove Loop Road are open year round, weather permitting.

Newfound Gap Road

US Hwy 441 from Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee, NC is now open.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Newfound Gap Road (Hwy 441) is closed from Gatlinburg to Cherokee until further notice due to landslides and down trees.

The planned roadwork to Cove Creek Road has been postponed indefinitely, so the main entrance to Cataloochee will remain open. As always, the road is still subject to closure due to weather, so always check the National Park website before your trip.

What’s Open Now in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge

• Adventure Park Ziplines.
• Alcatraz East Crime Museum.
• Anakeesta.
• Appalachian Ghostwalks.
• Apple Barn Hard Cider House.
• Apple Barn Winery.
• Arcadia.
• Bass Pro Shops.

It’s strenuous, but not technically challenging. Our hike took eight hours since there is so much to stop and enjoy along the way. At the top, we took a nice break at LeConte Lodge, the highest guest lodge in eastern America at 6,360 feet elevation.

Trillium Gap trail

4-5 hours

You can travel along the Parkway with unloaded guns in your trunk which is the Federal Standard for travel.

On federal lands administered by the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), possession of a firearm must be in compliance with the law of the state in which the federal land is located. Many hikers feel the carrying of firearms is unnecessary and contrary to the social nature of the Trail.

Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail is certainly not a leisurely walk in the park. Despite how intimidating that may sound, beginners can scale the Appalachian Trail’s numerous mountains and treat themselves to some of the most gorgeous views on earth.

You’ll want to note that the AT takes five to seven months to complete its 2,190 miles, while the PCT take four to six months to complete 2,650 miles of trail. It’s true that most people who’ve hiked both trails will crown the AT as the more difficult trail.

2021 PCT Long-distance Permits Will be Issued; Portal to Open January 19. The Forest Service’s decision today to move forward with 2021 PCT Long-distance Permits came after extension deliberations with the PCTA and federal and state land managers.

The 10 Most Dangerous Hikes in the World

1. Angel’s Landing: Zion National Park, Utah.
2. Hua Shan Trail: Huayin City, China.
3. El Caminito del Rey: El Chorro, Spain.
4. Kalalau Trail: Kauai, Hawaii.
5. Wendenstock, Switzerland.
6. West Coast Trail: Vancouver Island, Canada.
7. Half Dome: Yosemite National Park, California.
8. Rim to Rim: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.

6 Toughest Hiking Trails in the World

1. Drakensburg Traverse, South Africa. Drakensburg, aka “Dragon Mountain” goes on the list of mountains with names that befit them.
2. Chirripo Peak, Costa Rica.
3. Mount Hua Shan, China.
4. Kalalau Trail, Kauai, Hawaii, USA.
5. Caminito del Rey, Málaga, Spain.
6. Rover’s Run, Anchorage, Alaska, USA.

Hard hikes are more difficult. When we rate a trail hard, it should be because the trail has many inclines or steep hills; a long, steady climb; many steps or stairs; and roots, slippery rocks or other difficult terrain. Hard hikes are usually between 4 and 7 miles (7 miles being the max for a HiB hike).