Smoky Mountains, Appalachian Trail, Biltmore Estate and Other Outdoor Adventures

Helen — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:52:34 +0000

You won’t find a better spot to view the world than from the top of a mountain. Start with a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway or through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Magnificent vistas await the traveler during all the seasons. (Both roads close during the winter months because of snow).

In the spring, you can hike the Appalachian Trail, or find a wealth of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails in the Pisgah National Forest or the Nantahala National Forest and at Cashiers area riding stables - Arrowmont, Whitewater Equestrian Center or Sapphire Valley.

Nearby attractions abound, from the renowned Biltmore Estate to Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center which houses five of Asheville’s premier attractions, including the Colburn Earth Science Museum and the Asheville Art Museum.

Waterfalls, porting the names Cullasaja, Sliding Rock, Silver Run, Whitewater, Turtleback, Rainbow, Mingo and Juneywhank, abound in Jackson County earning it the moniker “land of falling waters”. Pack a lunch and picnic at the falls.

So, whether it’s traveling scenic roads and byways, hiking the AT marveling at the magnificence of a real-life castle or picnicking beside a waterfall, you’re sure to find an escape to the North Carolina Mountains will take you to new heights. Our luxury mountain lake lodge is the perfect base for exploring the mountains in 2010.

Smoky Mountain Life: At Home in the High Country » scenic drive

Smoky Mountains, Appalachian Trail, Biltmore Estate and Other Outdoor Adventures