Another “secret” little Smoky Mountain adventure to try is the Upper Tremont Road near Cade’s Cove.
Get away from the crowds and drive this peaceful gravel road that offers a pleasant and peaceful mountain experience. There’s places to hike, and picnic, and the road runs beside a stream. There’s a waterfall that can be seen from the road if you know where to look. There are several pull offs, and if you have children, it’s great fun to stop enjoy the views and wade around in the creek.
Here’s how to get there. To reach the road from Gatlinburg, take the road leaving town into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Turn right at the visitor center toward Cades Cove to the split that takes you to Cade’s Cove and Townsend. Continue straight toward the Cove. In a short while, you’ll see a small sign on the left for the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Turn left at the sign and continue on the paved road, it will eventually turn into a gravel road just past the Tremont Institute.
From Townsend drive into the Park, turn right toward Cades Cove, then, a few hundred yards later, turn left at the sign for Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.
You will be on “Lower” Tremont Road. a 2-mile paved road which will lead you to the Institute at Tremont. Upper Tremont Road is the gravel road just past this, starting where the pavement ends.
Driving to the end of the 3-mile gravel portion of Tremont Road takes you to a loop parking area. You’ll find a walking bridge to the Middle Prong Trail trail head where you can connect to the Appalachaian Trail. Take a picnic. stop at a spot to sit and have lunch, or take some time enjoying the wildflowers, the streams, the trees, the wilderness, and the quiet solitude of The Great Smokies.