Enchanted forests draped in thick green moss, waterfalls hidden in a foggy mist, a majestic castle built for American royalty, and a bewitching secret fairy hideaway. The Great Smoky Mountains are filled with scenes straight out of a fairy tale. Or maybe the fairy tales were inspired by the ancient and mystical Smokies themselves.
The glory and splendor of these mountains hold a fascination that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Join the wayfarers on a journey into the mysteries of the Smoky Mountains and explore these five beguiling spots along the way.
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Voorheis Estate & Fairy House – Gatlinburg, TN
About a mile outside of Gatlinburg in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, look for the Twin Creeks Trail. It’s an easy 4.5-mile round trip hike that leads to the Voorheis Estate, a mountain retreat built by Louis E. Voorheis from 1928 to 1944, then deeded to the park in 1933. Created from natural materials and built near two burbling creeks, the property’s rustic appearance and incorporation of the surrounding landscape makes it seem as if it was part of the mountains from the beginning.
While there are several buildings to admire along your hike, you’ll want to venture off the trail for a real treat. Hike until you get to the Resource Center, then look for a slightly hidden but worn path. Down that trail, you’ll come across an old stone springhouse built right into the hillside and covered in moss and lichen. It looks like a secret spot where mountain pixies and house fairies gather, which is where it gets the name House of the Fairies. Sit quietly and listen hard. Is that the wind rushing across the mountains or the whispers of fairies? You decide.
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Mingo Falls Cherokee, NC
There is something truly magical and awe-inspiring about a waterfall, and Mingo Falls – located in Cherokee, North Carolina – is a wondrous spot. It’s easy to see why the Cherokee tribe held this space so sacred. Reaching heights up to 120 feet, Mingo Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Spectacular to view any time of year, it is especially powerful after a heavy rain or snow melt. And if you arrive early in the morning, the fog that the Smokies are so famous for gathers around the falls, creating a mysterious mist that spurs the imagination. The hike to the falls is short – only 0.4 miles – but its 161 steps are steep and should be navigated with caution.
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Clingmans Dome & the Thomas Divide Tunnel – Sevier County, TN
Clingmans Dome is the highest spot in the entire Smoky Mountains and delivers unparalleled views from its observation tower. On a clear day, visitors can see over 100 miles of 360-degree panoramic mountain sights, making it one of the most well-known vistas in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But there’s a secret that lies beneath these majestic views.
A short hike less than a mile west of the junction between Clingmans Dome Road and Newfound Gap Road is a former hiker’s underpass. Pre-dating the tower itself, this tunnel runs beneath Clingmans Dome Road and features ornate archways on either side that are constructed from locally sourced stone. It’s no longer a part of any regular hiking trail, so you won’t find it unless you’re looking for it. But your search will be rewarded with magical cliffside views.
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Castle Ladyhawke – Tuckasegee, NC
Wedding venues with breathtaking views
Discover a Scottish castle worthy of a Highlander clansman in Tuckasegee, North Carolina. This wedding and event venue could be lifted straight off the pages of a fairy tale storybook. Originally built as a private residence on 62 gorgeous acres in the Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina, Castle Ladyhawke now partners with Bear Lake Reserve for special events.
Constructed over a period of two years, it utilized local stonemasons and tradesmen. While using as many locally sourced materials as possible, this masterpiece also includes imported authentic Scottish details like stained glass and furniture. Step back in time when you enter the Great Hall with its vaulted ceiling, stone floors and 14th century mantle above the fireplace. It’s like visiting another world without ever leaving the country.
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Biltmore Estate Asheville, NC
Known as America’s castle, the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina will have you feeling like royalty for the day. Built by George W. Vanderbilt between 1889 and 1895, this French Renaissance castle includes 250 rooms and 75 acres of immaculately designed gardens where it’s easy to imagine a king or queen or even a house fairy wandering about. The entire estate sits on 8,000 acres of rolling hills and stunning mountain views.
Channel your inner nobility as you walk with your head held high through the gorgeously decorated halls. Sip a glass of wine at the nation’s most visited winery or savor delicious cuisine in one of the on-site dining establishments. Stand on one of the balconies and imagine that the panoramic views laid out before you are all part of your very own kingdom.
