Smoky Mountain Recommendations (NC side)

Post date: 2021-04-20 12:03:17

Taking a trip to North Carolina near Smoky Mountain National Park + Nantahala National Forest in late May. Those going include a range of physical abilities, so I'm looking for recommendations for all skill-levels, and not necessarily only hiking.

The trip will be me and my partner (30s, in moderate shape), and our parents (60s/70s, more interested in easy trails and non-hiking options). We'll all be fully vaccinated, but would still like to avoid indoor crowds.

We'll all be driving there, so it's possible for people to do different activities (though ideas for a good spot to relax one day where people could either just rest, go on short hikes, etc. would be good). My preference is minimal driving to trailheads, so I'd rather stay more on the NC side of the park (a little into the TN side is fine though). A few questions:

1. Most rewarding trails for the least effort?

2. My partner has a moderate fear of heights- anything that resembles a ledge where one wrong move = death is not in the cards. Is Mt Le Conte possible? Charlies Bunion?

3. If anyone has been recently, which trail heads fill up early?

4. Any non-hiking suggestions?

Thanks!

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