Distance: 0.7 mile one way
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Change: gain = 0 ft; loss = 7 ft
My Hike: 1.6 miles (round trip) Out-and-Back
source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail
The Oconaluftee trail is a short day hike (Hike #2 of the 40 Hike Challenge), only 0.6 miles one way. The trail follows the Oconaluftee river to the South terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The trail begins at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is the Great Smoky Mountain’s main welcome and information center for the North Carolina side of the park.
The highlight of this trail was being able to observe up close many of the elk that were reintroduced to the area in 2001 and 2002. The Visitor’s center is a very popular place for families and tourists eager to get a glimpse of the elk.
