Hillbilly Golf

The incline railway used to belong to a Coca-Cola bottling plant, and riding it is a slow, unusual way to start a mini golf round. The founder opened with a single course and added a second 18-hole course later. The family has continued to operate the attraction since the founder passed away in 2015.

• Course A: classic barnyard obstacles and tricky inclines.
• Course B: forest tram-style holes and deeper mountain hazards. The site pitches this one at the adventurous putter.

Because the courses are cut into the hillside, the slope is a hazard in itself, and putts that look straight will roll away from you. A round of 18 holes takes about 45 to 60 minutes, depending on your group size and pace. Most visitors play both.

• Address: 340 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, at the north end of Gatlinburg. Look for the mountain-top lift near the entrance to the national park.
• Phone: (865) 436-7470. The site asks groups to call for rates.
• Parking: free for golfers.
• Hours and prices: the site publishes seasonal hours on its plan-your-visit page but not a price list, so check or call.
• Best timing: a weekday morning keeps the wait low; evenings in summer bring cooler air than the Parkway.

Wear sneakers, because the paths are sloped. If anyone in your group is uneasy with heights or steep rides, ask staff how the lift feels before you pay. Rain closes mini golf, so check the weather and the website on unsettled days. Because Hillbilly Golf is right at the park entrance end of the Parkway, it pairs well with a walk to the Gatlinburg Welcome Center or a pre-dinner stroll into downtown.

Pair it with the free trolley if you do not want to take the car into the Parkway traffic; the north end of town has parking, but it fills on October weekends.