Tennessee Whisky Trail

It's all about history, tradition and ingenuity.

Tennessee is know the world over for our music and hospitality.  And our whiskey.  Tennessee has been a leader in spirits distillation throughout our nation's history.  That includes the time before, during and after Prohibition.  Our pride in craftsmanship and our spirit of independence led Tennesseans to make some of the world's finest whiskey and some of the nation's most sought after moonshine.  And it drives us to this day.  Today Tennessee distillers are crafting distilled spirits as diverse as the music born in this State.  From Blues to Bluegrass and from vodka to Tennessee Whiskey, Tennessee distillers are bringing our innovative and legendary spirits to our communities and the world. 

The Tennessee Whiskey Trail is made up of approximately 30 distilleries across the state.  These distilleries range from small, boutique-style operations to well-known distilleries that have been making legendary Tennessee Whiskey for generations.  

On the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, you will experience the history and tradition of Tennessee Whiskey as well as the innovation Tennessee distillers are bringing to whiskey, rum, gin, vodka and even moonshine.  Along the Trail, you'll get to know the rich landscapes, must-see landmarks, and genuine Southern hospitality that has influenced our spirits for generations and that embody the great state of Tennessee.  From The Great Smokey Mountains to the rolling hills and honky-tonks of Middle Tennessee to the jazz-filled streets of Memphis beside the mighty Mississippi River, The Tennessee Whisky Trail is an adventure across our land and our culture.  So come be a part of our story and let your adventures run on Tennessee Whiskey. 

Distilleries of East Tennessee

Home to the mountain folk of legend, East Tennessee is a nature-lover's mecca.  From the Appalachian Trail to Cades Cove, the area is full of beautiful flora, fauna, lively streams and waterfalls.  And don't forget the ever-popular sights and sounds of towns like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.  East Tennessee is also home to over 13 distilleries that range from Bootleggers Distillery, the smallest batch distillery in the nation (located right down the road in Hartford!), to Sugarlands Distilling Company, which offers not only tours and tastings, but also live music, Appalachian storytelling and outdoor adventure tours of "moonshiner's paradise" in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Join us for a spirited mountain adventure!

Download your Passport to the world of Tennessee Whiskey!  Come be a part of the legend!

Click here for more information about the Passport.

Click here for more information about the Tennessee Whiskey Trail.

Recommendation: Foothills Parkway with Lunch

If you are looking for something to do but want to sleep in, are short on time, or you don't want to deal with the heat, check this out...

The entrance to the Foothills Parkway (see the post on the Foothills Parkway under "Drives") is only about 6 miles from the Garage Mahal, the whole loop is about 20 miles.  The views from the Parkway are amazing with lots of turn offs for photo ops. 

 At the end of the Parkway take the I-40 ramp towards Asheville, and get off at the next exit which is Hartford.  Not a lot to the cute little town, mostly rafting companies, but there is the Goodwater Winery Tasting Room and The Bean Trees Cafe.  I recommend having lunch at the Cafe, sit outside, have a drink in the shade next to the Pigeon River and relax...

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

The narrow, winding, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail invites you to slow down and enjoy the forest and historic buildings of the area.  the 5.5-mile-long, one-way, loop road is a favorite side trip for many people who frequently visit the Smokies.  It offers rushing mountain streams, glimpses of old-growth forest, and a number of well-preserved log cabins, grist mills, and other historic buildings.  Please note the road is closed in the winter. 

An exuberant mountain stream gave this area its unusual name.  Roaring Fork is one of the larger and faster flowing mountain streams in the park.  Drive this road after a hard rain and the inspiration behind the name will be apparent. 

Before entering the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, a stop at the Noah "Bud" Ogle self-guiding nature trail offers a walking tour of an authentic mountain farmstead and surrounding hardwood forest.  Highlights include a stream side tubmill and the Ogle's handcrafted wooden flume plumbing system.

Just beyond the Ogle farmstead is the trail head for Rainbow Falls, one of the park's most popular waterfalls. The hike to the falls is 5.4 miles round trip and is considered moderately strenuous. Your reward is the 80-foot high waterfall, the tallest single-drop waterfall in the National Park. If you plan to attempt this hike, be sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots and carry plenty of water and snacks. 

The entrance to the motor nature trail is located a short distance past the parking areas for Rainbow Falls.  Several homes and other building have been preserved in this area.  The trail head for Grotto Falls, another of the park's most popular waterfalls, is located along the route. Grotto Falls is the only place in the Smoky Mountains where you can stand behind the falls as the water cascades to the pool.  And a "wet weather" waterfall called Place of a Thousand Drips can be reached by car, find it at stop 15, it provides a splendid finale to your journey. An inexpensive booklet available at the beginning of the motor nature trail details landmarks along the route.

Directions

To access Roaring Fork, turn off the main parkway in Gatlinburg, TN at traffic light #8 and follow Historic Nature Trail Road to the Cherokee Orchard entrance to the National Park.  Just beyond the Rainbow Falls trail head you have the option of taking the one-way Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.  

**Insider Tip**

Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the scenic turnouts or to eat it at the waterfall after hiking.  There are no Visitor Centers along the motor trail and no-turning back once you start, so packing a cooler with water and snacks is advisable.

Cades Cove

Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies.  It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park.  Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, and sightings of black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animals are also possible.

Touring the Cove

An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sight see at a leisurely pace.  Allow at least two to four hours to tour Cades Cove, longer if you walk some of the area's trails.  Traffic is heavy during the tourist season in the summer and fall and on weekends year-round.  While driving the loop road, please be courteous to other visitors and use pullouts when stopping to enjoy the scenery or view wildlife.

An inexpensive self-guiding tour booklet available at the entrance to the road provides a map and information about the cove.  

Only bicycle and foot traffic are allowed on the loop road until 10:00 am every Saturday and Wednesday morning from early May until late September.  Otherwise the road is open to motor vehicles from sunrise until sunset daily, weather permitting. 

History

The valley has a rich history.  For hundreds of years Cherokee Indians hunted in Cades Cove but archaeologists have found no evidence of major settlements.  The first Europeans settled in the cove sometime between 1818 and 1821.  By 1830 the population of the area had already swelled to 271.  Cades cove offers the widest variety of historic buildings of any area in the national park.

Scattered along the loop road are three churches, a working grist mill, barns, log houses, and many other faithfully restored eighteenth and nineteenth century structures.  Pick up the self-guiding tour booklet for information about the buildings you'll see in the cove and the people who lived here.

Wildlife Viewing

White-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, turkeys and other wildlife are frequently spotted in the open valley of Cades Cove. 

Biking

Experience the cove by bike! You can rent a bike at the Cades Cove Campground Store.  The State of Tennessee requires that children age 16 and under wear a helmet.  We strongly recommend that all riders wear helmets, use rear view mirrors, and ride properly fitted and well-maintained bicycles.  Please obey all traffic  regulations. 

Hiking

Numerous trails originate in the cove, including the five-mile round trip trail to Abrams Falls and the short Cades Cove Nature trail.  Longer hikes to Thunderhead Mountain and Rocky Top (made famous by the popular song) also begin in the cove.  

Visitor Center

Located half-way around the loop road in the Cable Mill historic area

Open daily except Christmas

Restrooms

Bookstore/Gift Shop

The Tail of the Dragon

Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap with 318 curves in 11 miles, is America's number one motorcycle and sports car road.

Designated US 129, the road is bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest, with no intersecting roads or driveways to hamper your travel.  It is considered "the destination" for thousands of motorcycle and sports car fans throughout the spring, summer, and fall. 

Can you brave it? It's best to be cautious as the turns are tight, but the Tail of the Dragon is guaranteed to be the ride of your life!

The nearby Cherohala Skyway is quickly becoming a destination too, with its remote 60 miles of breathtaking scenic mountain highway. The area also has other incredible roads like the Moonshiner 28, Devils Triangle, Diamondback 226, Six Gap North Georgia, The Snake and Great Forest Service Dual Sport and Jeep Roads.

The Foothills Parkway East

(30 October) This 5.5 mile section of the Parkway is in Cocke County cradled just below the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  You can pick up the Foothills Parkway East right here in Cosby.  The Parkway will take you along the ridge over a lower section of Stone Mountain.  Views of the Smoky Mountains National Parks northeastern end are beautiful with the Greenbrier Pinnacle, Mount Guyot and Mount Cammerer towering above.