Rides and Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park Area

I've had a number of people request information on rides and hikes in GSMNP. I've been going to that area for over 30 years and try to get down there once a month. Here are some options: rides: Gatlinburg to Cades Cove, ride the loop, and back: 75 miles---amazing ride along the Little River with 4000' of climbing or so, and usually bear sightings in the cove Gatlinburg to Clingmans Dome: 52-55 miles, 5000' of climbing; one of the top 100 climbs in the USA Gatlinburg to Newfound Gap to Cherokee, NC and back: 60-66 miles, probably 7000-8000' of climbing; two of the topp 100 climbs, all in one ride Gatlinburg to Newfound Gap to Cherokee to Newfound with the ride to Clingmans Dome and add in a ride to Elkmont Campground when you come back down: 100 miles, 10,000'+ of climbing; just did this today---6.5 hours in the saddle----brutal ride but also epic Blue Ridge Parkway: start at Cherokee and go as far as you can towards Asheville; throw in Waterrock Knob (another top 100 climb)---the Blue Ridge is stunning!! We did all 470 miles and 50,000' a few years ago--4.5 days of riding splendor Foothills Parkway West to the Dragons Tail and Deals Gap: about 80 miles and you get to ride the 308 turns in 11 miles on the Dragons Tail, and get your picture taken dozens of times by the many photographers taking pictures of the cars and motorcycles; also drop down past Deals Gap to see the dam that Harrison Ford jumped off in The Fugitive If you're willing to drive, ride the Cherohala Skyway--about 35 miles each way and considered the greatest ride in the Blue Ridge; we did it with the ride above for a 100 mile day Ready for some hikes ;-) Mt. LeConte: Alum Cave Trail, Trillium Gap/Rainbow Falls; all about 10-12 miles roundtrip (RT) Ramsey Cascade: 90' waterfall, 9 miles RT Gregory Bald: if the azaleas are flowering, and there are 1,000's, it is unreal; 12 miles RT Andrews Bald with the By-pass to the Appalachian Trail and back down the Clingmans Dome trail: maybe 6 miles of all high country hiking Porters Creek: wonderful hike along a stream, lots of wildflowers, old barns, etc Elkmont Campground: stop by to see the old homes and hike along the Little River