Gatlinburg may be known as a quintessential tourist town, but we have reason to believe that a small facet of the busy east state city may represent the last mountain town in Tennessee. Take a hike to LeConte Lodge, tucked high up in the Great Smoky Mountains and only accessible by hike. It's a perfect representation of the way things used to be. How Tennessee used to function as a state, the way folks once lived. We have ten reasons you NEED to visit this summer - if you're daring enough, that is.
10. You'll see the prettiest views in the mountains.
The LeConte Lodge is only accessible by foot, and it stands as the absolutely HIGHEST hiking lodge on the east side of the US, coming in at 6,390 feet total. How crazy is that...?
9. It's the last *true* experience you can have in the secluded mountains of East Tennessee.
Tucked away from the rest of the world, the hikes are long but the payout is high. There are showers (though you can use a washbasin!), you'll be staying in a hand-built cabin with lanterns and wool blankets. Oh yeah - and there's no electricity. Welcome to the wilderness!
8. You'll have the chance to experience multiple trails on the way up and back.
There are five-hour options available if you take Trillium Gap or the highly popular Rainbow Falls, over you can take the eight-mile Boulevard Trail. No worries about your car, though - there is free parking at each of the trailheads.
7. There's nothing like time away from the craziness of it all.
Such a simple stay keeps you far away from cell phones and work responsibilities. We'd recommend this space highly if you need some fresh air in your lungs and bit of time to yourself. There's simply no better place for it.
6. You'll have the chance to fall in love with your state.
Sometimes it's hard to stay happy about where you live - there's always a push to visit somewhere else, to plan a vacation or maybe make a cross-country move. Instead of spending loads of cash to go somewhere else, take some time to fall in love with your home. Truly, there's no better place to do it.
5. You'll get to meet hikers just as exuberant about the wilderness as you.
The lodge offers family-style meals for you and other hikers staying overnight. It's quite the experience to chat with other outdoorsy folks in their dining hall.
4. The hike is known as one of the best summertime weekend activities for the adventurous.
The lodge gets booked out pretty quickly, so you'll want to make reservations as soon as possible. This year the season runs from March 20 – November 21, 2017. Space is limited!
3. There's no other way to stay on one of the highest peaks in the mountain range.
LeConte has made a name for itself as the third highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park - and there's no other way to the top. That's a once in a lifetime opportunity!
2. You can stay for the cost of a night in a motel.
At only $145 a night that INCLUDES dinner and breakfast, there's no reason to put off a trek any longer. Children are a little less expensive, at $85 a night. Keep in mind, however - the price is for each person that makes the trip, not per cabin.
1. You can prove your hiking chops by making the trek.
Alum Cave Bluff is the shortest trail to the lodge at five and a half miles, but it is also the steepest. You're looking at close to four hours of hiking amongst the east Tennessee wilderness before making it to the stop. And after a good nights sleep? You head on back!
Continue the fun with The Incredible Spring-Fed Pool In Tennessee You Absolutely Need To Visit. It's well worth your summertime Saturdays!
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