For the outdoor recreation enthusiast, the Appalachian Mountains provide a treasure trove of ways to enjoy nature. Whether by foot or by car, the experiences are astounding. The Appalachian bucket list highlights the must-dos to enjoy these mountains.
Appalachian Trail
Number one on any hiker’s bucket list is the Appalachian Trail, one of the three long-distance hikes in the hiking Triple Crown of the United States. The AT stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia, to Mount Katahdin in Maine; a distance totaling 2,181 miles. It takes about half a year to make the entire journey, so many hikers choose hike the entire Appalachian Trail in chunks. Only a quarter of the hikers intending to thru-hike the trail will make it from start to finish.
Blue Ridge Parkway
If thru-hiking the AT is too daunting a challenge, a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway still allows for ample opportunity to stretch your legs. Rather than using the highway to navigate, the Parkway connects Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia via a more scenic route. The Parkway is 469 miles long with campgrounds, hiking trails, and recreation areas along the way.
Tail of the Dragon
Driving through the mountains on a motorcycle is surely not a site to be missed. There may be no greater thrill than driving an 11-mile stretch of road, called Tail of the Dragon, on the southern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. Over 300 curves are crammed into the 11-mile route, and it requires extreme caution to navigate. Besides taking in the sites from a vehicle, there are a few scenic overlooks to enjoy as well.
Mount Mitchell
Mount Mitchell is the highest point in the Appalachian Mountains at over 6,600 feet. Located in North Carolina, is also the highest point east of the Mississippi. The area is operated by Mount Mitchell State Park, where visitors have access to camping and hiking. It is named for Dr. Elisha Mitchell, a scientist who measured the mountain. His tomb lies near the observation tower at the peak of the mountain, where a clear day allows views of over 60 miles.
Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Starting at Clingman’s Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail sprawls across the state of North Carolina to the Outer Banks, a distance of 1,000 miles. Like the Appalachian Trail, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is often hiked in sections, rather than one long trek. The trail is still being built, so parts of it use back roads and bike paths. Appalachian highlights include Clingman’s Dome, Mount Mitchell, and a section of the Appalachian Trail.
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