Gatlinburg Hiking and Wine Trip
Last month, Tyler and I took a four-day Gatlinburg hiking and wine trip—our first real adventure together in the Smoky Mountains—and let the trails pull us into something quieter, slower, and deeper than either of us expected. We went in search of nature, fresh air, and a break from routine. What we found was something that looked a lot like clarity.
Elkmont Campground
We stayed at Elkmont Campground, and if you’re planning to go: book months in advance. We grabbed the last spot two months out. There are no showers, but that ended up being part of the adventure. The stillness, the trees, and the gentle hum of the creek made it feel like a world apart from the overstimulated pace of our everyday lives.
After a long, sweaty hike at Alum Cave, we did what anyone brave and unshowered would do: we took a bath in the creek. Just a little soap, freezing water, and a lot of laughter. The cold plunge became one of the most memorable moments of the trip. It felt like shedding everything that wasn’t essential.
Alum Cave & Clingmans Dome (aka Kuwohi): The High Points
Alum Cave Trail was stunning. Not just visually—although the views were incredible—but viscerally. It was our first time hiking together, and being out there, climbing through archways and ridgelines, reminded me how energizing it is to move your body through silence.
We later drove to Clingmans Dome (also known as Kuwohi), the highest point in the Smoky Mountains. Cold wind, massive views, ridgelines for miles. It was beautiful. But the best part? The stillness. The feeling of being in so much space that you can actually hear your own thoughts.
I kept scanning the trees for bears—half curious, half nervous—but no such luck.
Downtown Gatlinburg: A Bit of a Culture Clash
We spent an afternoon in downtown Gatlinburg, and to be honest, it wasn’t my favorite. It’s heavily touristy—souvenir shops, commercial attractions, novelty stores everywhere. Tyler had been there as a kid and said it hadn’t changed much, but for me it felt overwhelming after the quiet of the mountains.
Still, we made the most of it—and then some—with a surprise we didn’t expect to love as much as we did.
The Wine & Cider Crawl
For just $10 total, we did a five-stop wine and cider tasting tour:
- Tennessee Cider Co.
- Old Mountain Wine Company
- Smokin’ Banjo
- Another Tennessee Cider Co. location
- And our favorite: Tennessee Homemade Wines
We were on a blackberry wine mission, but what totally won us over was a limited edition red blend from Tennessee Homemade Wines. It was rich, smooth, and tasted like something you’d want to drink under string lights on a screened-in porch in late summer. We took six bottles home—and zero regrets.
Have you ever taken a trip that shifted something in you? A moment where nature helped you slow down, hear your own thoughts, or let go of something heavy? I’d love to know what places bring you peace—or what kind of stillness you’re craving right now. Feel free to share your thoughts or stories below.