The best way to experience the beauty of the Smokies is from a chair lift ride that takes you to a mountain peak! These slow, scenic rides provide an amazing opportunity to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Smoky Mountains, and you’ll find several of these fun attractions just minutes away from our cabin rentals! Here are 4 scenic chair lifts in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains that you need to ride:
1. Gatlinburg SkyLift
The Gatlinburg SkyLift is Gatlinburg’s original chair lift attraction and was the first four-season scenic chair lift ride in the South when it opened in 1954! This iconic ride transports you from the heart of downtown Gatlinburg to the top of Crockett Mountain, where you can enjoy stunning views 1,800 feet above sea level! You’ll also want to get off at the peak to experience several additional attractions, including a jaw dropping pedestrian suspension bridge that stretches nearly 700 feet across a deep valley in a single span!
2. Chondola at Anakeesta
Another one of the scenic chair lifts in Gatlinburg that you need to ride is the Chondola at Anakeesta, which is the only ride of its type in the world! The Chondola offers guests the chance to choose between an enclosed gondola cabin and a traditional chair lift for their journey to the mountaintop theme park! Since your admission to Anakeesta includes all day access to the Chondola, try riding up in the gondola and back down on the chair lift… then do it in reverse when you head back to the top of the mountain!
3. Scenic Chairlift at Ober Gatlinburg
The Scenic Chairlift at Ober Gatlinburg is the longest chair lift of its kind in North America and takes you to the peak of Mt. Harrison at 3,455 feet above sea level, which is over 1,650 feet higher than any other chair lift in Tennessee! While enjoying the relaxing journey, you’ll experience a 779 foot rise in elevation and have the chance to take some incredible photos! Once at the top, you can see as far as Douglas Lake on a clear day and the perfect view of Mount LeConte is breathtaking!
4. Hawk SkyLift
If you’re planning to explore some of the region outside of Gatlinburg during your vacation, be sure to visit Wears Valley for a ride on the Hawk SkyLift! This chair lift offers a pleasant 30 minute round trip ride where you can soak in the peaceful atmosphere of this beautiful area of the Smokies! When you reach the top of the mountain, get off to stretch your legs and kick back in one of the rocking chairs and enjoy a complimentary bottle of water! There are no restrictions to ride the Hawk SkyLift, so bring the whole family along for this fun adventure!
Check out all of our cabins in the Smokies today to stay close to these scenic chair lifts in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains! We look forward to seeing you soon!
