Blog for Zipline Attraction in the Smoky Mountains
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
Fit And Fun, Part Two
By Ross Bodhi Ogle
Posted on May 10, 2022
Last week, we introduced you to a couple of ideas for how to combine vacation time with fitness time. And no, the two concepts don't have to be strangers. If you take our recommendations to heart, and perhaps even use a little creativity, you can discover a number of ways to get in some exercise while you're living it up in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. In fact, check out last week's post for more information on how to incorporate hiking and swimming specifically into your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains.
This week, we've got three more ideas on deck for how to enjoy the Smokies and do your body some good at the same time. A couple of them might be considered more niche or specialty interests, but one in particular is something that all ages can take part in and look back on as a highlight of a Smoky Mountain vacation.
Running
If you're already an avid runner, this will be right up your alley. You'll find several road race events scheduled in the Smokies area each year, including the Pigeon Forge Midnight 8k Road Race (August), the Santa Hustle Smokies 5k and Half Marathon (December at Wilderness in the Smokies Resort) and the Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon & 5k, which takes place every September in Townsend, TN. That event is put on by Vacation Races, an organization that stages running events in vacation destinations all over the country.
In addition to these popular events, you can also look out for any number of smaller races that specifically benefit local charities and other organizations. One example is the Ober Uphill 5k benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Smoky Mountains. It takes place at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort in late September. That makes the experience a triple win: You get to challenge yourself on the course, enjoy the beauty of the Smokies and help raise funds for a worthy cause, all in one fell swoop.
And remember that you don't have to compete in a sanctioned race to get your miles in. If you've got your running shoes with you, seek out some of the less traveled roads or neighborhood streets in the area and take off. One option is the pedestrian greenway in Townsend, which covers a total of nine miles. It runs from one end of town to the other and back again. We'll also refer you to one of last week's bicycling destinations: the Cades Cove Loop in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you run the full one-way loop, you'll get in about 10.5 miles, but there are also shortcut roads that will allow you to tailor shorter runs of 3 or 7 miles. Try to do the cove on a Wednesday, which is when auto traffic to the loop road is closed.
Working Out
If you're into pumping iron - or maybe just getting in your daily time on an elliptical machine - one workout solution is to book accommodations that have a fitness center located on site. This is something you're more likely to find at the larger national chain properties, but some of the locally based lodgings have workout rooms as well. There's no extra charge to use the facilities, and even in smaller hotel fitness centers, you'll have access to equipment like treadmills, ellipticals, weight machines and sometimes even free weights.
Ride A Bike
Here's a form of exercise that almost anyone can get behind, mainly because it's fun. And chances are you already know how to ride a bike, so consider taking the family out for an excursion. Of course, you can always travel with your own bikes, in which case, you might want to check out the Townsend greenway mentioned in the running section above. But if you want to rent bikes, we'll once again refer you to the Cades Cove Loop in the national park. You can rent bikes for the day at the Cades Cove Campground and enjoy stunningly beautiful scenery as you pedal your way around the loop road.
We'll also remind you that zip lining in Smoky Mountains involves some walking, and it's an interactive experience that combines adrenaline-surging excitement with the innate beauty of the region. Give us a call to book a canopy tour today.
