Townsend Area Offers Hiking to Visitors

Monday March 01, 2004

TOWNSEND, Tenn. -- Kick up your heels and put on your hiking boots to enjoy the peaceful outdoors of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. More than 130 trail segments make up 800 miles of hiking trails throughout the park. The trails are classified as easy, moderate or strenuous. "The Townsend area has hiking trails for every hiker, from beginner to serious," said Herb Handly, executive vice president of tourism at the Smoky Mountain Convention & Visitors Bureau. "All of the trails provide excellent views of nature including fall colors and wildlife." National Park officials urge hikers to follow several rules of the trails. Hikers should be very conservative when it comes to estimating how long they are going to hike. "Hikers might look at the map, see that a trail is only five miles and think that since they can walk four miles in an hour, they only need two or three hours to hike the trail. They need to realize that the mountain terrain takes its toll on speed," said Dan Lawson, avid hiker. Hikers should anticipate hiking two miles in an hour on the average with eight to ten miles making up a maximum day trip. Hiker should set up an itinerary before they go and make sure to tell someone what their plans are, especially if the person is hiking alone, said Bob Miller, information officer with the national park. They should also make sure they have shoes with good tread. "While hiking boots are preferred, a good pair of sneakers is fine for most trails," said Miller. Hikers should expect a change in temperature. Even if its warm in Townsend, chances are that the temperature will change at a higher elevation. They should also take a good plastic poncho along. That will protect against a chill if it starts raining. One of the main dangers with hiking is hypothermia. All hikers should be aware of the hazards in the park, such as slick or loose rocks along the trail edges and wildlife. If they see a bear, they should walk away and not bother it. If it comes near them, they should wave their arms and make a lot of noise with feet, hands and mouths. The park also reminds hikers of the Cardinal Rule: stay on the trail. A hiking map is available at the Townsend Visitors Center for a cost of $1. Approximately 10 million people visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year. For more information on travel and tourism or a brochure on hiking, please call the Smoky Mountain Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 525-6834 or (865) 448-6134, or visit the web site at http://www.smokymountains.org. A list of popular trails is attached. -END- Trail Classifications Easy Cucumber Gap Loop, 2.5 miles Laurel Falls Trail, 2.5 miles West Prong Trail, 5.5 miles Schoolhouse Gap Trail, 4 miles Abrams Falls Trail, 5 miles Moderate Gregory Bald Trail, 9 miles Ace Gap Trail, 11 miles Rich Mountain Trail, 4.5 miles Chestnut Top Trail, 9 miles Middle Prong Trail, open-ended Strenuous Spence Field Trail, 11 miles Thunderhead Trail, 14 miles Gregory Bald Trail via Gregory Bald Ridge Trail, 11 miles

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