I was wondering if anyone has used Gatlinburg,TN as a zero day/resupply stop recently. I know that it is about 15 miles off the trail on U.S. 441 and a tourist town for the Smokes. Was just wondering if it was an easy hitch into town and worth my while. If it is a tough hitch, do the 2 local outfitters offer shuttle service? Thanks.
Rooster
Gatlinburg is a great trail town. Some hikers have disparaged it because it is touristy and glitzy. But so what: it has everything a hiker needs. The Grand Prix is costing us $44n for two of us. Lots of places to eat. Two very helpful outfitters. Food stores. 50 cent rides on the local buses. Don’t know about the shutle services as we will hitch out tomorrow. Our motel is one block from the route to the Gap. As for hitching in. The Gap is loaded with tourists. We walked up to the first one we saw and got a ride. The Happy Hiker is located closed to the entrance to town. Stop there for information on anything you need to know.
swamp fox
I second staying at Grand Prix
You can usually catch ride with locals at Newfound Gap or take taxi from town
Unk Hiker
Hitching a ride into Gatlinburg should not be a problem. Not sure about the shuttle from the outfitters. Gatlinburg is a tourist town. But after being on the trail for awhile you might find it fun. There may be hundreds of tourist hanging around New Found Gap, depending on when you get there. When I (we)went through, people wanted to take our pictures, give us food, show their children what a real hiker looks like and one of the hikers was given money. I often thought about returning their on some weekend to collect food and money. :lol
Bilko
Biggest problem is that the biggest grocery store, post office, and laundromat are too far to walk and require a trolley ride. The outfitter nearest the Park Entrance and Gran Prix (Happy Hiker, I think) has a list of available shuttlers. Also a great place to yogi.
Mango
The only potential problem, depending on when you get to Newfound Gap, is the Park Service closes the highway during snow storms. They do their best to reopen it quickly, but it can be the next day before they do.
Mr. Persistent
It was an easy hitch both ways, had a great time in 2000, lots of good food, hot tub, lots of cold beer at the brewery.
mojito
Getting in was easy. It took us 3 hours to get back to newfound gap. Since everyone is a tourist there, don’t expect them to pick up a nasty hiker.
Jesse