By Todd West

Morning comes slowly to the Nantahala Gorge. The sun first greets the Great Smoky Mountains, then labors to burn off the “blue smoke” that cradles the peaks and ridges of one of the world’s oldest mountains. The Cherokee, custodians of the land for generations, long witnessed this phenomenon and called this area of western North Carolina the “land of the noon day sun.”

The Smokies, homeland of the Cherokee Nation, were a trading zone for explorers and pioneers, and a land of opportunity for persecuted Europeans fleeing tyranny and famine.

Entrepreneurs would build their fortunes from the rich forests and ecologists would take them back, preserving the natural treasures for generations to come. It is also a place where cultures collide—where music, art and dance are woven together to reveal the distinctive fabric of the mountain heritage.

Mountain building began about a billion years ago when extreme heat and pressure thrust rock shelves thousands of feet into the air. Near the end of the ice age, massive glaciers, some as thick as 10,000 feet, slowly moved southward, collecting plants and animals along the way. As the ice receded, streams and rivers flowed, allowing the flora and fauna to prosper while the razor-edged ridges were rounded to reveal the ecologically rich environment and characteristically smooth look of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Today, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most biologically diverse environment on Earth, an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site. In addition, Western North Carolina was formally designated as the nation’s 24th National Heritage Area. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in America, containing 700 miles of rivers and streams, 800 miles of trails, and 20,000 acres of virgin forest.

Efforts to preserve the natural beauty of the North Carolina Mountains have been rewarded. There are rivers to raft, trails to conquer, wilderness areas to explore and a vast array of vacation opportunities. You’ll find examples of mountain heritage on winding trails and raging rivers, across endless vistas and along the streets of quiet mountain towns. There are museums, dramas, historic sites, train excursions, parks, parkways and skyways, folk art, fine art and performance arts. Experience festivals, celebrations and unique cultures waiting to be discovered.

Here, history goes beyond words. You can touch it, live it and experience the past preserved for generations to come.

A heritage journey in the Smokies takes you off the beaten path. Scenic highways and country roads offer magnificent views, but for a full helping of mountain tradition you can travel along trails, rivers and rails.

In this mountain region, how you get from one place to another is often more important than where you are going or how long it takes to get there.

No matter where you are in western North Carolina, there’s a nearby trail that plunges deep into the forest. Whether you prefer a well-marked trail or exploring unfamiliar territory, mountain trails hold the promise of new vistas and a chance to follow in the footsteps of the Indians and pioneers who first blazed them.

There are riding trails, hiking & biking trails, and wheelchair accessible trails. And there is the mother of all trails, the Appalachian Trail, which runs the length of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Rafting a whitewater river like the Nantahala is another great way to gain a unique historical perspective. Outfitters along the Nantahala rent rafts, kayaks, duckys and canoes and provide guided raft trips.

There are small mountain lakes and massive power lakes, like Fontana and Hiawassee, that are perfect for fishing, water skiing and boating.

Once you’ve hiked the trails and rafted the rapids, you can be carried through the Smokies by a steam locomotive. Scenic train rides depart from Bryson City and Dillsboro and follow the routes that carried big-city visitors to their summer retreats.

Pause in Bryson City to check out some unusual activities, such as paper-making classes at the studio of Elizabeth Ellison, or take part in a scrapbook seminars held at the Charleston Inn. In Dillsboro, time will elapse a hundred years. The small, old-fashioned stores are filled with quality crafts, art and other choice selections of Appalachia culture. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is here and you can make reservations at the depot in the heart of town.

As you ride the historic short line railroad, born at the turn of the 20th century, you will learn the customs of the area known as “Back of Beyond.” The train takes you through unique tunnels, past beautiful wildflowers, and even the train wreck scene from the Harrison Ford movie The Fugitive.

Afterwards, head west toward the Qualla Boundary to visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, with its engaging interactive displays. The Visitor’s Center will help you find other Cherokee attractions open at the time of your visit, such as the Oconaluftee Village, the outdoor drama Unto These Hills, or find your way to the Native American Qualia Arts and Crafts Center.

Another popular way of traversing the Smokies is over scenic highways like Cherohala Skyway and the Blue Ridge Parkway, which snakes along mountain ridges up to 6,000 feet high.

Another place of interest and a revered tourist destination is Asheville. Asheville boasts a rich legacy worthy of exploration by any visitor to the Land of the Sky. The curious are drawn to consider the city’s Art Deco abundance, E.W. Grove’s Grove Park Inn Resort, indigenous arts and crafts, and the opulent splendor of Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate. Vanderbilt’s dream to replicate the great estates of Europe through Biltmore brought romance and a distinctive elegance to Asheville, achieving a celebrity status never experienced before in Western North Carolina.

Family members and friends invited from all over the United States and beyond came to experience the extravagant estate with the grandeur of Olmsted’s sweet-smelling gardens, rich foods at the 64-seat banquet table, and the utter magnificence of Vanderbilt’s glorious retreat.

Recharge your spirit at America’s largest home with its stunning architecture, priceless antiques and works of art. Sample award-winning wines at the winery, and savor delectable cuisine.

The city also sports a thriving downtown area filled with museums, bistros, clubs and shops and two shopping malls.

Whether you prefer trails, rails, rivers or roads, the Great Smoky Mountains offer limitless experiences for every traveler.

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