Jan 2, 2026

New Year Reset: 5 Gentle Ways to Get Outside

Written by: Emily Huffstetler

Feeling cooped up after the holidays? Kick off the New Year with fresh air and a fresh start. Here are five gentle ways to get outside on the Peaceful Side.

See Sculptures on the Maryville-Alcoa Greenway

*^{Photo: Dogwood Arts & Jared Worsham Photography}*

Dogwood Arts’ Art in Public Places brings outdoor sculptures to spots around Maryville and Alcoa, and several are easy to pair with a walk on the Maryville-Alcoa Greenway.

The greenway is a paved route that stretches nine miles, connecting Springbrook Park in Alcoa with Maryville’s Bicentennial Greenbelt and Sandy Springs Park. You can park, walk a short section and admire public art.

Look for these installations on or near the greenway:

“Archaeopteryx” (John Parker) near the Blount County Courthouse greenbelt
“Airstream” (David Sheldon) at Jack Green Park
“Lil Blue” (Nathan Pierce) near Vienna Coffee House
“Cathedral” (Ann Melanie) across from the Alcoa Municipal Building

Sit Outside and Sip a Hot Coffee

A hot drink outside is a cozy reset. Find a porch or patio seat and slow down for a bit. Research shows that time in a natural setting can lower stress hormone levels, with strong results reported around the 20 to 30 minute mark.

Vienna Coffee House in Maryville is nestled beside Pistol Creek, and Southern Grace Coffee Co. is great for porch-sitting. In Townsend, The Dancing Bean has outdoor deck seating with a Smokies backdrop.

Stroll Along the Little River

For a peaceful river walk, head to the Townsend River Walk and Arboretum. The path runs along the Little River and stays close to town.

Keep an eye out for the fairy villages tucked along the trail and the Children’s Discovery Garden. If you want to add a short side trail, the Bluebell Trail features a footbridge and a Little River viewing platform with benches.

Go for a Leisurely Hike

You don’t have to go far to make your hike count. For a slow start, pick a shorter trail and turn around when you’re ready.

Here are a few low-elevation trails on the Peaceful Side:

Avent Cabin (Elkmont) – 2 miles roundtrip, ~500 ft gain
Abrams Falls (Cades Cove/Townsend) – 5.2 miles roundtrip, ~675 ft gain
Schoolhouse Gap (Townsend) – 3.8 miles roundtrip, ~513 ft gain
Spruce Flats Falls (Tremont) – 1.4 miles roundtrip, ~460 ft gain
Middle Prong Trail (Tremont) – choose your distance; ~200–300 ft gain for the first 1–2 miles
Little River Trail (Elkmont) – 4.9 miles roundtrip, ~412 ft gain
Little Brier Gap / Walker Sisters Place (Metcalf Bottoms) – 2.6 miles roundtrip, ~285 ft gain
Meigs Mountain Trail (Elkmont) – 4.6 miles roundtrip (out-and-back section), ~661 ft gain

Before heading out, check the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s official alerts page for closures and updates.

Take a Scenic Drive in the Mountains

Scenic drives are a calm way to feel the Smokies in winter. You get the views and fresh air, without needing a big plan.

Cades Cove is a classic near Townsend. The 11-mile, one-way loop circles the valley and gives you access to historic sites, trailheads and wildlife viewing.

For panoramic mountain views, the Foothills Parkway is the best option. The Walland to Wears Valley section is 14.75 miles one-way. This is the newer section, completed in 2018, with 10 designated waysides and overlooks along the route.

Alternatively, the Chilhowee to Walland section is 16.6 miles one-way. It has more pull-offs overall, with 16 parking areas and 14 scenic overlooks.

Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.