Waterrock
Knob provides a panorama of the Great Smokies, visitor
center, trail, comfort station,
exhibits.(1)
Waterrock
Knob is one of my very favorite places. The view from
the parking lot is stunning - both sides drop away and
leave you with breathtaking views of mountain after
mountain after mountain in every direction. On either
side, a guide sign labels each peak with a name and an
elevation, and the distance from Waterrock Knob. On a
clear day, the Unicoi Mountains in Tennessee are
visible, at 52 miles distant!
Feeling
energetic? A hike to the top of the Knob affords a
view of the surrounding area from the highest point
around. The story has it that one of the first
settlers of Maggie Valley hiked to the top of the
highest peak around (Waterrock Knob) where he could
see 360 degrees. He looked all around, and chose the
greenest valley for his home. Now, I thought this was
just a pretty story... until I hiked the Knob. The
climb spirals around the peak, and every vista is more
beautiful than the last, just one breathtaking sight
after another. And then, l came around a bend in the
trail. Now, I was hiking in early spring, when the
trees are just barely beginning to leaf out. And
Maggie Valley is in a protected mountain cove, totally
ringed in by mountains, so spring comes a bit earlier
to us here. But still, I was totally unprepared for
this magical sight: like Brigadoon from the mists,
there appeared this verdant valley, filled with green
trees and lush pastures. It was Maggie Valley. And
there I stood like a little kid, bouncing around and
pointing out the valley, telling any hiker who'd
listen, "Look! Look! I live there!"
You
don't have to hike to the top to enjoy Waterrock Knob.
The scenes from the parking area are astounding. But
if you're of a mind, it's a half-mile climb, and the
sights are worth the
effort.(2)
(3)
View
toward Tennessee, from Waterrock Knob, parking area:
(just as stunning in the opposite
direction)
