quiet walkways

We took one of these trails and my husband was even able to bring his wheelchair. It was quiet and we saw friendly people along the way. There was water on one side and the road on the other, but you could not hear the cars. It is a great place to relax.

My title says it all. It was so incredibly peaceful, and we felt miles away from civilization when we hiked a quiet walkway.We took the second Quiet Walkway on 441 if you are headed away from Sugarlands Visitor Center toward Newfound Gap Overlook. We were the only people on the trail and it was probably a short 1/2 mile out to a babbling brook with no one else around. My husband and I just sat by the brook for awhile, listening to it and the birds and enjoying being totally alone in nature. This is how I pictured the Great Smoky Mountains when we planned this trip, and I wish we had time for more Quiet Walkways.

While most tourist will be on the NC/TN line, there is a spot that truly reflects its meaning. Quiet Walkways does not have large signs and a small parking lot, but if you stumble upon this area (like we did), you'll be grateful! Following the streams through mountains, you will be able to comfortably walk off the beaten path and meander through the forests!I don't know how long the trail is. We didn't make it very far, as the call of the rushing water beckoned us. One of the most picturesque spots in the mountains, and a good get away from the tourist.

Stop at a "Quiet Walkway" and make your way down to the river. Sit on a rock, let the forest and sounds of the water envelop you. You will quickly learn why this is the most visited National Park, and a place I dream about when I'm not lucky enough to be there.

Stopped at one of these quiet walkways on the way home from clingmans dome. It was just what the sign said " QUIET" . Nothing great just a wooded area leading to the river but no crowds of people, no traffic, just relaxing. Think ill check out some more tomorrow .

These stops are marked with little "quiet walkway" signs with pull off parking along the Smoky Mountain National Park roadway. There are several and they are worth the stops. They offer nice quick trails down to streams and overlooks and it is a great way to stretch your legs from driving for a few minutes and see some views.

great walk on one of these "quiet walkways." I'm so glad I found that trail with the help of a visitors center. It was a great way to escape for a few hours. If I lived closer, I would try to go often. Such a beautiful walk through the woods and by rivers and streams.

There are two classes of "Quiet Walkways" found in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - the "guided " and the "unguided". They can be found along any of the park's major and minor roads and provide short and easy hikes into the fields and forests of this International Biosphere Reserve.Guided: These are the developed trails set up by the NPS to teach the visitors about the flora and fauna of that particular section of park. They are clearly marked and have a designated parking area. The trails have markers explaining about whatever it is you're viewing at that sign's location. They range in length from short to long and a walking time commensurate with their length and your depth of interest. The Sugarland Nature Trail, the trail in the picnic area off US441, and the trail on the Clingman's Dome road are examples of this kind of trailUnguided: These are the true "quiet walkways" of the park and you find them by watching for small wood signs saying "Quiet Walkway" at one or two car sized pulloffs along the roadway. Here is where you leave the traffic jams of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg behind, where you move at your own pace and seek out that which peaks your interest. Here is where time stands still and cares no longer exist. Pack in a sandwich and a drink for a quiet lunch, then, as a steward of the earth, pack out the leftovers so that only your footprint survive. If there's a car at the trailhead consider that an "occupied" sign and find another path. These paths range in length from 100 to several hundred yards and in elevation from flat to difficult, the majority being no greater slope than that which a train could travel uphill because, in fact, many of these paths are on the old railroad roadbeds created at the turn of the 20th century when private logging companies clear cut these hills removing trees which we'd give a right arm to have in existence today, trees that exceeded the 1000 year mark.Do remember as you walk these trails that you have left the relative safety of the urban area and are now in a wild area, full of wild animals and potential harm - act accordingly.