Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Red flower along the Roaring Fork Nature Motor Trail
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a 8 mile one-way loop road. The loop is loop is reached off of Cherokee Orchard Road in Gatlinburg, Tennesse. The Roaring Fork loop is not suitable for bicycles, RVs, trailers, or busses. The Roaring Fork loop is 8 miles.
This is one of our favorite drives in when we visit Smoky Mountain National Park. The drive wonders through a pretty second growth forest. It follows Roaring Fork Creek for much of the way.
There are plenty of things to stop and see. Old cabins, rock walls, and the creek. It's always good to park the car and walk down to Roaring Fork Creek.
Plus there are a few short hikes. So if you take your time, and stop and see all the sights, you can pretty much spend most of a day here.
Turbine Grist Mill
An old grist mill is one of the interesting sights along the loop. One of the things that makes this mill interesting is that is uses a turbine instead of the more usual water wheel. Mingus Mill in the Oconaluftee area of the park also uses a turbine.
Grotto Falls
A must do hike is the hike to Grotto Falls. This is a 1.2 mile one way (2.4 round trip the park guide says 3 miles round trip) hike to a small waterfall. The falls is about 25 feet high. The trail runs behind the falls. On a hot day, the cool mist from the falls a great way to cool off.
Although the waterfall is small, it is pretty and the hike is a nice way to stretch your legs after riding in the car. When we were there in September 2007 the water levels were quite low. Spring would be a really great time to visit here--especially if the Rhododendron were in bloom.
