Settlers Mountain Hiking Adventures

Some of the fondest memories I have is hiking with my Grandfather. Every year we could not wait to get to Settlers Mountain and climb to the top of the mountain. My grandfather loved to hike and as he got older every year he would say, “Well, this is my last year to climb to the top”, and he said it for so many years that after a while us boys refused to believe him. On the steeper parts of the mountain we would push and pull him until we made it to the top. That is what hiking is all about, making memories by helping each other and enjoying an activity while nature surrounds you with your loved ones.

 

Settler Mountain adventure trails

On Settlers Mountain you can walk from your house on that we have marked for you to follow. Our forest has natural old growth trees of many varieties including oak, maple, poplar, walnut, beech, birch, white pine, and many more. If you are quiet you will find many friendly animals along the way such as turkey, deer, turtles, salamanders, squirrels, and many species of birds. You will also see large out-croppings of boulders, and abandon Mica mines. It will only take a couple hours to make the round trip to the top and it is well worth the 360-degree view from the top. Settlers Mountain hiking trails are great for the family to learn to hike together.

 

Hiking for everyone

One of the true pleasures in life is enjoying the great outdoors. A simple, cost-effective way to do that is simply take a walk. We call it hiking. No matter if you are a novice to this sport or an experienced hiker; there are miles of trails within Bryson city to meet your needs as well as over 800 miles of hiking trails within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

 

National Parks

Deep Creek Area

Just fifteen minutes from Settlers Mountain is the Deep Creek Area. Deep Creek is one of our favorite spots to visit. The hiking trails are easy. In just over a few miles of hiking you will visit three waterfalls, Juney Whank Falls (0.6 mile), Three Waterfalls Loop (2.4 miles), and Deep Creek-Indian Creek Loop (4.4 miles); longer loop hikes are also possible. You can also tube down deep creek and can rent tubes for the day at the entrance.There are picnic tables and grills available at Deep Creek as well. For maps and more information see our Settlers Mountain associate for further information.

 

Road to No Where

Another place worth considering is the Road to Nowhere. The Noland Creek trail is easy to moderate in difficulty. It winds back and forth across the stream for approximately 1 mile and then ends up at the edge of Fontana Lake. At the end of the Road to Nowhere are the Gold Mine Loop trail and the Tunnel Bypass trail. The two trails cris-cross each other so the hiker can customize their hike to meet their personal agenda and time constraints. Ask our SMA associates for directions and tips.

 

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

For the more experienced hiker the many trails located within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park are within short driving distances from Settlers Mountain. Our guests take great pride in their personal achievements and often can’t wait to retrace their steps. For more information on hiking in the GSMNP visit the following website http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

 

Guided Hiking

Tours Settlers Mountain Adventures can arrange a private guide for your hiking adventure. These tours can be as small as two people or as many as you like. Here are some reasons this may be to your liking:

  • MORE THAN A WALK IN THE WOODS: Think of a guided tour as an all-access, behind-the-scenes pass to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You'll learn to see life in the park in ways you never imagined. Old rocky paths become roads into the past. Leafy trails connect you to the canopy above, and streams take you high into the peaks where storm clouds bring sustenance to over 100,000 creatures living all around you. What was once a simple walk in the park is now an enlightening, awe-inspiring experience for the whole family.
  • LEAVE YOUR STRESS BEHIND: Guided trips offer a no-hassle, no-stress, alternative to exploring the park. Our guides know where to go, how long it will take to get there and back, and what to do if something goes wrong. All you have to do is show up, and let your guide take care of the rest.
  • SAFETY FIRST: You're three miles into the wilderness and your daughter trips and hurts her leg. What would you do? Our guides are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.
  • MAP? WHAT MAP?: Every year unsuspecting visitors to the Park get distracted while on the trail and end up lost. It happens. There are more than 800 miles of trails in the park, and many trails look the same. Our private guides spend everyday out there in the wilderness. They know the trails backwards and forwards. So, go ahead, it’s okay. When you're on a guided tour, focus on the things around you. They'll take care of reaching the destination and returning you safely to the trail head.
  • YOUR INTERACTIVE GUIDEBOOK: Leave those dusty guide books at home or, even better, on the shelf. You'd need a library full of books to rival the knowledge our guides carry with them on every trip. Our guides know the history, culture, wildlife, plants, and park history inside and out. Want to know who once prepared dinner over that crumbling fireplace? Just ask. What about that bird? Or, how were all these trails were built and how they are maintained today? Just ask. The person hiking with you knows every fact you could imagine. So, don't be shy. If you have a question, all you have to do is ask.

There are many different guided hikes to choose from. Hikes are generally 2½ to 3 hours long but half-day hikes and full-day hikes as well as different difficulty levels are available.

Take a guided tour from Oconaluftee. Located at the visitors’ center at GSMNP, the Oconaluftee Valley once sheltered the Cherokee Indians, General Rutherford's army in 1776, several settlements in the early 1800s, and eventually the National Park. Explore an operational grist mill, the remnants of the CCC camps that were responsible for building much of the Park during the Great Depression, and uncover a few ghosts and legends during your visit.

If you are the adventurous type with a sense of humor, take a Ghost and Legends tour on the Road to Nowhere or Oconaluftee. Since these tours begin at twilight you will have the opportunity to see and hear nocturnal animals, insects and reptiles as well as hear local history and maybe some tall tales as well. This is definitely where you could get a story to take home with you. Take a seasonal tour such as Spring Flowers or Fall Colors.

Ask our SMA associate for more information and reservations.

 

Hiking tips

  1. Wear a well fitting pair of sneakers or hiking shoes/boots for the more uneven terrain. A long hike is not the time to break in a new pair of shoes. Don’t forget your sunglasses and a hat.
  2. Bring a first-aid kit with Band-Aids, antiseptic wipes, insect repellant, and sunscreen. Don’t forget any medications you might need.
  3. Bring water, snacks like trail mix, peanut butter crackers, granola bars, dried fruit, etc. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a favorite. They don’t spoil.
  4. Bring your binoculars and camera.
  5. Be sure you have a sweater and raincoat. Weather can change very rapidly in the Smokies so you want to be prepared.
  6. For longer, unguided hikes, bring a trail map, compass, whistle, flashlight and matches.

When are you coming?? Let us arrange a hike just for you!