T H E G O O D WA L K An Intro Walk for the Smokies This short hike provides tastes of history, forest and creatures. Text by LEONARD ADKINS | Photos by LEONARD AND LAURIE ADKINS G, GATLINBUR E TENNESSE ABOVE: The footbridge spans the West Fork of the Little Pigeon River. RIGHT: There are many reminders of the past along the hike route. FAR RIGHT: Cataract Falls, down a short side trail, tumbles 25 feet. ANGELA BECK T WE HAD BREAKFAST AT... housands of people come to However, this past year I was able the Great Smoky Mountains to talk two nephews into an earlyregion every year and never set morning walk before meeting up with foot inside the national park. the rest of the family back in town for Timbers Log Cabin in Gatlinburg. It was nice to find A segment of my family fits breakfast. The pathway is certainly not a non-chain restaurant and the that description. They vacaa wilderness route. It goes under the portions were so large that we tion here almost annually, but Gatlinburg Bypass and runs close to the split some of the entrées in half they are not hikers (nor even walkers). Newfound Gap Road for much of the to share. They come to ride the attractions of way, but it was my chance to get the the area's amusement parks, shop at boys into the woods. the stores, imbibe in meals and sweets that are not availThe Gatlinburg Trail starts at the national park's Sugable near home and luxuriate in the amenities offered in arlands Visitor Center and within a few hundred yards a fashionable resorts. short side trail (less than .4 mile roundtrip) leads to Cata- 10 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COMhttp://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM