Today we're riding from Gatlinburg back to Nashville, a journey of about 240 miles (390 kilometers). But before we start our return trip, we can quickly shop at Hill Billy Harley-Davidson in Gatlinburg and fill up the gas tanks.

We continue the drive to the Sugarland Visitors Center, where you can stop if you're interested in additional information about the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Then it's time for the last beautiful scenic byway in the Great Smoky Mountains. For the next 28 kilometers (18 miles), we'll drive along the Little River Gorge Road, one of the most beautiful drives in eastern Tennessee, located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The road follows the contours of the Little River to the town of Townsend, which marks the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here we leave this beautiful area where we've enjoyed beautiful roads and stunning scenery for the past four days.

The Little River Gorge Road is paved and in good condition, and is one of the most popular drives in the Smokies. The road was built where the Little River Railroad once ran, which was used for logging before the park was established. The drive is a beautiful experience in stunning surroundings.

Along Little River Road, there are seven signposts, each numbered to indicate a point of interest. Several spots are marked with a waypoint and are definitely worth stopping for a photo.
This beautiful, winding mountain drive with sharp, blind curves and hairpin bends takes you through the mountains and includes views, hiking trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds. Be sure to stop at the Sinks Bridge. This stop along the scenic Little River Road offers fantastic views of a waterfall and the bridge.

In the town of Townsend, you can stop to visit the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. This museum's mission is to preserve, interpret, and share the history and culture of the diverse peoples and Native Americans who have inhabited the Southern Appalachians, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It offers exhibits and programs for educational and cultural enrichment.

In Townsend, you can also visit the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum. It's a non-profit organization founded in 1982 to preserve the heritage of the Little River Lumber Company and the Little River Railroad. Discover how Native Americans and pioneers relied on the Little River and the surrounding forests for survival.

Then it's time to enjoy the Foothills Parkway, a scenic parkway offering stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Of the seven Congressionally Mandated Parkways, the Foothills Parkway is the only remaining parkway yet to be completed.

When completed, the parkway will be a 72-mile road traversing the western and northern perimeters of the park, extending from Interstate 40 east of Cosby, TN, to its western terminus in Chilhowee. Several rest areas (marked with a point of interest) are located along the parkway, and it's recommended to stop occasionally to enjoy the view of the Great Smoky Mountains and take a photo.

At the end of the scenic parkway, on the left, lies the beautiful Chilhowee Lake; it looks more like a river because it's quite narrow. You can stop here at the parking lot if you want to take a photo. We drive via Kingston to Crossville, where we stop for lunch. There are several restaurants and fast-food joints here.

The last 110 miles to Nashville are on US-70, a two-lane highway (sometimes four lanes) through the green and rolling landscape of Tennessee. Along the way, you'll pass several small towns, such as Pleasant Hill, Sparta, and Smithville. If you're feeling up to it, you can always stop for a quick break and a drink. You'll also see many small wooden houses and churches so typical of this state.

In the evening, we arrive at the motel and can enjoy the vibrant city of Nashville for a few more days. Known as the capital of country music, it's a must-see during your visit. One of the most famous music spots is Music Row, a historic district in downtown Nashville.