Oconaluftee River Trail

Hike #59 : March 20, 2016

1.5 miles

1.5 new miles
715.8 total overall miles

451.6 total miles of 800.8

The beginning of the Oconaluftee River Trail from the Cherokee side.

The Oconaluftee River Trail runs behind the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, through the Mountain Farm Museum and along the river. Its an easy walk and a good way for me, my wife Denise (who, by the way, joins me for the first time on a mile marker hike!) and good friend Randy Hullinger to begin our spring break hiking getaway into the Deep Creek area of the Smokies.

We began our walk as the trail begins just past the Blue Ridge Parkway at the park boundary to Cherokee and works its way back to the visitor center. Its a nice flat walk that soon passes under the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Passing under the Blue Ridge Parkway.

As we began to pass the open fields of the Mountain Farm Museum, we spotted an elk prancing around.

The museum is very nice with loads of history to take in, including the Davis cabin and many other outbuildings from various places in the park.

TRAIL REVIEW

Oconaluftee River Trail - 1.5 miles


Mountain Museum Farm

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Wanna hike the 900 without getting lost? Start by checking out the book Day Hiker's Guide To All The Trails In The Smoky Mountains by Elizabeth L. Etnier.

Hiking Trails of the Smokies or "The Little Brown Book" from the GSMA

Hiking Trails of The Great Smoky Mountains by Ken Wise

There is loads of information in the pages of GoSmokies.com.