In addition to the fun of watching novice and skilled paddlers navigate the rapids by raft and kayak, the venue offers access to the Tanasi Trail System, a series of 40 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails in the Cherokee National Forest.  From the interpretive center (if there’s much more here than a gift shop, it missed our interest – we breezed through the center in less than a minute… though it’d be handy for a cold, post-hike drink), two trails lead into the trail system – the 1.7 mile Bear Paw Loop (moderately strenuous – green blazes) that begins across the Olympic observation bridge and the Old Copper Road Trail (4.6 miles out and back – rated easy – purple blazes) that follows the Ocoee River upstream from the interpretive center.

Traveling downstream from interpretive center is the yellow-blazed Rhododendron Trail, a flat, 2.5 mile roundrip hike alongside the river’s edge that ends at the Ocoee Powerhouse #3.  Both the Rhododendron and Bear Paw trails offer access to the other trails in the system, including the 6 mile, brown-blazed, difficult Chestnut Mountain Loop (accessible directly from the Bear Paw Loop, or by using the adjoining 1.5 mile green-blazed Thunder Rock Express Trail from the Rhododendron).

We rate the hiking trails highly for beauty and interest – and the bonus of the Olympic venue site makes this trip well worthwhile.

While there, take a splashy ride in the Ocoee with any of the numerous rafting outfitters – reservations suggested but not always required.  The Ocoee ranges from mild to wild, depending on which journey you choose and the recent weather – many trips offering a chance to navigate through the Olympic course.  Or, if you’ve got your own paddling equipment, drop in at your choice of launches for a bit of fun in the whitewater.

GPS Coordinates: 35.05698,-84.212952

A 5.2 mile roundtrip hike to the falls from the trailhead is moderately steep and travels through a wide variety of terrain, crossing a stream several times along the way.  1 to 1.5 hours is required for each way of the journey – or keep traveling as we did through to Mt. LeConte, a 4 hour hike in each direction, gaining nearly 4,00o feet in a little over 6.5 miles.

The hike from the trailhead starts out relatively flat before commencing a series of switchbacks as the climb to the falls begins – and several log bridges provide a dry crossing of the stream that winds to cross the trail several times during the hike.

The roaring sounds of the stream accompany hikers throughout most of the hike. A third crossing of the stream brings Rainbow Falls into view – the highest single-drop waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The trail continues behind the falls, providing a chance to dip into the falls on a hot summer day as a cool off before beginning the ascent to Mt. LaConte – or if your journey ends at the falls – before your hike back down to the trailhead.

Following the trail past Rainbow Falls, the trail begins to ascend quickly as the journey to Mt. LeConte, the sixth highest mountain east of the Mississippi –  continues.  Hike through forests of balsam, spruce, ash and rhododendron as the air begins to thin in the ascent – and feel the  temperatures cool quickly (even in the summer) as the altitude climbs through sandstone outcrops to the lodge at Mt. LaConte.

Getting there: take Airport Road/Cherokee Orchard Road south out of Gatlinburg to the well-marked Rainbow Falls Trail parking area.  The trailhead is located at the edge of the parking area.