Gatlinburg Attractions
4 Gatlinburg Attractions Where You Can Walk Above the Smokies
Although the Smoky Mountains are spectacular from any perspective, there are several awesome attractions in Gatlinburg where you can actually walk above the Smokies! These attractions provide a unique bird’s eye view of the mountains, so be sure to bring your camera along to capture some of the best photos of your vacation. Here are 4 Gatlinburg attractions where you can walk above the forest floor of the Smoky Mountains:
1. Gatlinburg SkyBridge
The Gatlinburg SkyBridge is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America and literally crosses the sky as it stretches 680 feet across the valley! You can walk across the bridge at your own pace to enjoy the panoramic views and the incredible setting. The bridge rises to a height of 150 feet at its midpoint, and there are glass floor panels in the middle of the span to look directly down to the ground! To access the Gatlinburg SkyBridge, simply take the Gatlinburg SkyLift from downtown Gatlinburg to the top of the mountain. Your pay-one-price admission to Gatlinburg SkyLift Park includes the SkyLift, SkyBridge, and the SkyDeck.
2. Gatlinburg SkyTrail
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While this way to walk above the Smokies is still located at Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, the Gatlinburg SkyTrail is another great way to take in the gorgeous mountain views and get your steps in! This scenic walkway takes you along the ridge of the mountain so you can walk from one end of the SkyBridge to the other! The first half of the walk is known as the Elevated Boardwalk, and along your journey, you’ll see all kinds of interactive signage. These signs detail information and history of the park, the wildfires of 2016, and more. When you reach the midway point along the SkyTrail, you’ll come up on Tulip Tower, the 70-foot-tall observation tower that is accessible with rope bridges. This tower gives visitors a unique vantage point of the mountain views! The second half of the SkyTrail is called The Path, which is the a trail cut into the natural hillside of the ridge. People of all ages will have fun walking above the Smokies at this Gatlinburg attraction!
3. Dueling Ziplines
For those feeling truly adventurous, make plans to experience the Dueling Ziplines at Anakeesta! This thrilling canopy tour has two ziplines that run parallel to each other so you can race a friend or family member down the mountainside! As you soar from tree to tree and cross the aerial bridges, you will love the stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains! You’ll also add to the adventure with several rappels that are over 50 feet tall! The Dueling Zipline takes about 1.5 hours to complete, and the tour is fully guided with a professional guide who will take care of you from start to finish! This attraction is an extra cost on top of the admission to Anakeesta.
4. Treetop Skywalk
Another one of the Gatlinburg attractions where you can walk above the Smokies is the Treetop Skywalk at Anakeesta. This impressive attraction is the longest tree based bridge in North America and offers you the opportunity to walk over 800 feet while being suspended 50 to 60 feet in the air! Altogether, you can walk over 800 feet as you stroll through the canopy and immerse yourself into the beauty of nature! During your journey, you can imagine what it must be like to be a bird living in the treetops. The Treetop Skywalk is included with your paid admission into Anakeesa, which also includes the scenic Chondola ride and other select attractions.
We know you’ll enjoy all of these Gatlinburg attractions where you can walk above the Smokies! But have you not had enough of the thrills and gorgeous views? Check out these observation tower attractions in Gatlinburg you don’t want to miss!
