HIKES
3-mile hike to Wesser Bald
From the cabins, make a left on Highway 28 and head across the county line to Macon County. Make a RIGHT on to Tellico Road, cross the Little Tennessee River and bear right, staying on Tellico. You will follow Tellico for several miles. The pavement ends and turns to gravel at a split. To the left there is a sign that says "no outlet". To the right there is a small one lane bridge. Take that right, you'll pass an old white farmhouse on the left after you cross the bridge and a trout farm. Stay on this dirt road and switch back many, many times up the mountain. You will top out at Tellico Gap. There is parking on either side of the gap and the Appalachian Trail intersects right there. Take the A.T. NORTH (if you are standing in the gap facing the direction you were heading in, that would be a right turn. The trail is on the left of the forest service gate, however, the road behind the gate will take you to the tower as well. You can make a loop by taking the trail up and the road down. Needless to say it gets steep toward the top but the view is well worth it. You will reach a platform at the top where you can see 360 degrees across the Smokies on the Appalachian. You can see Lake Fontana from here as well.
BIKES
“Road to Nowhere” Ride
Rigorous & Breath-Taking
Head toward Bryson City, exit 67 of Highway 74. As you come into town, make a RIGHT on Main Street, LEFT on Everette Street. Park near the depot or Mountain Perks Coffee shop. Head up Everette Street on your bike, past the high school and on up to the very end at the tunnel. Be sure to stop and take in the awesome views. The ride is approximately 20 miles up and back. The majority of the climbing occurs going up.
Swinging Bridge Ride - Moderate and beautiful along the Little Tennessee River
From the cabins, make a left on Highway 28 and head across the county line to Macon County. Make a RIGHT on to Tellico Road, cross the Little Tennessee River and bear right, staying on Tellico. When you see a dirt road toward the right, make a RIGHT on that dirt road, which is Needmore Road. Keep going until you see a suspension bridge on your right. Start at the suspension bridge, continue up Needmore Rd. back toward where you drove in. It turns to gravel along the river. You'll come out on a paved road. Make a left. (A right takes you to Tellico Gap) Stay on paved road passing Lower Burningtown Rd on your right and a camp. Climb a small hill and then you will come to Lost Bridge. Make a left onto 28N. Climb, climb, climb and then there's the great downhill. At the bottom you'll pass Brush Creek on right. Go another 1/4 mile and there will be a dirt road on left and a sign that says Brush Creek Baptist Church with a little building and a house nearby. Take that left. Go two miles on the dirt road and look for the suspension bridge on your right. Walk your bike over the river back to your car. You could start this ride from the cabins if you dare to climb back up Deer Ridge!
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Hike Along a Tennessee River Creek
From the cabins, make a left on Highway 28 and head across the county line to Macon County. Make a RIGHT on to Tellico Road, cross the Little Tennessee River and bear right, staying on Tellico. When you see a dirt road toward the right, make a RIGHT on that dirt road, which is Needmore Road. Park along the road at the orange gate on the left side of the road and walk through for a nice hike along the creek – or just walk along the Little Tennessee.
Road to Nowhere to Lake Fontana (Noland Creek) – Easy, Scenic 2-mile hike.
Head toward Bryson City, exit 67 of Highway 74. As you come into town, make a RIGHT on Main Street, LEFT on Everette Street. Stay straight past the high school and up the winding “Road to Nowhere”. Near the top, look for parking on the left, and a sign at the end of the parking lot that says “Noland Divide Trail”. Take the trail left down to Noland Creek. Make a left at the creek and follow the trail to one of Fontana Lake’s fingers. This trail is an “out and back.”
WATER FUN
Tuckaseegee Paddling – Dillsboro
Take a RIGHT on 74 towards Dillsboro. You will pass the first outfitter on the right before you reach 441. This is the take-out. There is another outfitter at the put-in in downtown Dillsboro on 441. You can guide your family in a raft, or go down in duckies easily. A beginner kayaker can navigate the 5-mile river with no worries. Its fun and offers great views and wildlife sightings. Plus this river is much warmer than the Nantahala. No wetsuits are necessary. Click HERE for more info.
Deep Creek Tubing
For the very little ones, Deep Creek is a great tubing spot. You can hear them laughing and screeching with joy as you approach the creek from the parking lot. Plus tube rentals are only $5 for the day! Follow Everett Street North through Bryson City. Turn right on Depot Street, which is just across the railroad tracks, with the Train Depot on your right. At the stop sign, turn left then take the immediate curve to the right putting you on West Deep Creek Road. Follow that road (stay left in the big curve at the bridge) until it dead ends in the National Park after about 2 miles. You will pass the tubing companies along the way. (Download a printable PDF of the Deep Creek trails and waterfalls.) Click HERE for more info.
Tsali Right Loop – Take a LEFT on 74 and make a RIGHT on 28N right before Nantahala Gorge. Right after you cross the county line into Graham County, make a RIGHT into the Tsali Recreation Area. The Right Loop is open to mountain bikers on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It is 11 miles long with a gorgeous overlook option. You can make the ride shorter with 4 and 8 mile loops. The ride is rigorous but tons of fun. Click HERE for more info.
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