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Three Historical Hiking Destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains

Cades Cove
June 30, 2014

Do you love rediscovering history and exploring nature? Historical hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains blend the beauty of nature with touches of the past for unforgettable adventures.

1. Little Greenbrier

Located in an old mountain community, Little Greenbrier leads hikers through a lush forest to the historic homestead of the Walker Sisters, five sisters who maintained their traditional mountain lief until the 1960s.

The Walker family also helped build the Little Greenbrier School, which you can also see further down the trail by passing over a footbridge.

To plan a visit to any of these trails, check out the National Park Service’s hiking guidelines.

2. Old Settlers Trail

One of the most interesting historical hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains is Old Settlers Trail. On the trail, you’ll find stonewalls and homesites. The area is full of artifacts from before the national park was established, including a cemetery and chimney.

3. Cades Cove

(See Also: 3 Things You Didn’t Know About Cades Cove Auto Tour)

Although Cades Cove is not a single hiking destination, the auto tour is filled with trails that lead to homesteads, churches and historic sites. There’s no doubt that this area is one of the most spectacular in the national park, especially for those who love history.

There are nearly 10 trails inside Cades Cove, so you can spend an entire vacation exploring from one end to the other. Be sure to pack a lunch because the Cades Cove picnic area is one of the prettiest in the park.

Ready to plan your own outdoor adventure in the Smokies? Timber Tops Luxury Cabin Rentals invites families and groups to stay in one of our Smoky Mountain cabin rentals just minutes from the National Park entrance.

Our comfortable vacation rentals provide stunning views and memorable stays, so get started with your reservations today. Give us a call at (877) 549-6775 to speak to a reservationist, and book your next Smoky Mountain adventure.

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