The trails interlace through the nearby Great Smoky Mountains, so you already know the views and terrain will take your breath away, even if your recreation of choice doesn’t! The trailhead is located about 100 yards from the Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee and shares a parking lot. You’ll find tables, rock gardens, and blinds for those who know, along with single-track and wider sections, spots that are smooth and fast, and trails that invite the more technically accomplished with options for those less so. That’s right-if you like your trails with a nice flow of features, with fun berms and quick hits of elevation that are manageable and fun, Fire Mountain is made for you. The network of trails is more than 10.5 miles total, so there’s plenty of room for everyone to recreate safely, responsibly…and flowy? The Fire Mountain Trails are Cherokee’s newest source for big adventure-a multiuse trail system that’s made to mountain bike, hike, or run. Anytime is beautiful on the Parkway, yet the most spectacular may be the fall, when the calico quilts of trees dip and fold in a shockingly vibrant parade of natural beauty.īeginning on the edge of Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway travels 469 miles southwest along the high ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains, ending at the southern gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, right near Cherokee.

In early spring, watch the redbuds begin to blush with eagerness in their anticipation of the lush green outburst of the summer months. What to do on your Cherokee, NC vacation.Įnjoy hiking trails, breathtaking overlooks, and charming picnic spots as you learn about the geology along with the abundant plant and animal life of the area. The sensation of turning a corner to see a vast panorama of mountain peaks, valleys, and endless sky spreading before you is enough to cause even a city slicker’s heart to miss a beat.

But hang on this is a rollercoaster ride of magnificent views. So while you’re here, be sure to take a ride on this glorious route. The Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most visited attractions in the National Park Service and happen to be immediately accessible from Cherokee. The awesome Blue Ridge Parkway. Unwind that ribbon of highway.

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