While visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ll want to put Kuwohi at the top of your itinerary! This amazing mountaintop destination is the highest peak in the national park and features an observation tower with stunning 360-degree views! It is also easily accessible, as Kuwohi Road turns off from Newfound Gap Road and travels for 7 miles to a parking lot. From there, just walk up the paved half-mile trail that leads to the observation tower! Here are the top 5 reasons to experience Kuwohi during your visit to the National Park:
1. Breathtaking Panoramic Views
As you might expect from the third-highest peak east of the Mississippi River, Kuwohi offers breathtaking views that can extend up to 100 miles on exceptionally clear days! In fact, the vista spans 7 states, including Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Alabama, and Georgia! The peak stands at an elevation of 6,643 feet, and it is typically 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the surrounding lowlands, so be sure to bring a jacket along for your visit!
2. Beautiful Sunrises and Sunsets
Kuwohi is the ultimate destination in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for those hoping to catch the sunrise or sunset! This is one of the most popular spots in the park for photographers and nature lovers to witness the dramatic lighting over layered mountain ridges. If you want to see the sunset at Kuwohi, you should aim to arrive at the parking lot at least 45 to 60 minutes before the official sunset time to secure a parking spot and hike the trail to the summit.
3. Sacred Cherokee Heritage
Another one of the top reasons to experience Kuwohi during your visit to the National Park is because of the historical significance! The peak is the highest point in the traditional Cherokee homeland and was historically a place for prayer and spiritual guidance. Kuwohi means "mulberry place" in the Cherokee language, as the Cherokee people identified the mountain with the red mulberry tree, which was significant for food and medicine.
4. Excellent Hiking Options Nearby
Hikers will find several excellent trail options near Kuwohi, including segments of the Appalachian Trail that cross near the summit! The Forney Ridge Trail starts from the Kuwohi parking lot and travels for 1.7 miles one way to Andrews Bald, a high-elevation grassy bald with gorgeous views! You’ll also find the Spruce-Fir Nature Trail near Kuwohi, which is an easy half-mile loop known for its aromatic coniferous forest.
5. Year-Round Access
While the Kuwohi Road is closed annually from December 1st through March 31st due to snow and ice, the observation tower is actually open all year round! This makes the tower a popular winter destination for those who enjoy winter hiking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. While you can hike or ski along the closed road, just keep in mind that you’ll need to park at Newfound Gap!
Kuwohi is an amazing destination in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is well worth the effort to get there! While traveling to this spectacular mountain peak, check out these secret stops you should make on the way to Kuwohi!
