![]() ![]() While at first you’ll be hiking at low elevations, the real climb begins just after the historic Oliver Cabin. You’ll see the trailhead to your right just before the loop begins. Park at the interpretive pavilion in the large lot on the left BEFORE driving into the loop. Many people choose to hike this loop clockwise. If a more challenging hike is what you crave, the 8.5-mile Rich Mountain Loop is a great way to spend the day. Abrams Falls is approximately 5.2 miles round trip, so give yourself at least 6 hours to enjoy the walk. Splash close to the beach or head downstream to enjoy deeper pools. The unique geologic structure of this waterfall makes the pool incredibly dangerous for swimming. Make sure to stay close to the beach and avoid the falls if you are tempted to cool off in the water. The forest surrounding is mostly oaks and evergreens on the ridge and makes for a serene setting.Īt approximately 2.6 miles, hikers will turn left to the footbridge and come out to a beach area where they can observe the falls. This popular hike gets busy, so make sure to arrive early! You’ll follow this wide, well-traveled trail out to a 20-foot high waterfall. Follow the brown sign pointing you to the right down the gravel road to park. If something a little longer is on your list, drive approximately 5 miles on the loop road to the Abrams Falls Trail. Pass over creeks through the dense forest and get a new appreciation for the valley. This 0.8 mile walk is a loop hike gaining only 210’ in elevation. If you need to stretch your legs a bit more though, there’s no shortage of hiking trails! If you’re looking for something short and gentle for all ages in the family, check out the Cades Cove Nature Trail. The 11 mile, one-way road through Cades Cove makes a scenic drive through an amazing valley. CADES COVE HIKING TRAILS Cades Cove Nature Trail Here are six reasons YOU should visit Cades Cove on your next Smoky Mountain vacation. In fact, if Cades Cove was its own National Park, it would be the third most visited national park in the country! With more than 11 million people coming through the Smokies each year, and nearly 4 million of them choose a trip to Cades Cove. It’s no secret that Cades Cove is a favorite destination for many people visiting the Smokies. To learn more about Cades Cove hiking trails and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, click here. There are trails for every skill level in the Cades Cove area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can also hike Spence Field and to Lynn Camp Prong along the Middle Prong Trail. These are just some of the many great Cades Cove trails you should try while you’re in town. The chestnuts may be gone, but you can still see the beautiful sight of the oaks, dogwoods, sourwood and pine trees. Along the trail, you’ll find remains of a chestnut grove. If you’re looking for an easy hike, try the Cades Cove Nature Trail! It’s a great trail if you’re driving around the loop and want to get out to stretch your legs. Keep in mind that this trail is considered strenuous in difficulty, so it’s not recommended for beginner hikers or families with small children. The trail is absolutely stunning and has beautiful mountainside views with plenty of wildflowers to see in the spring. The Rocky Top hiking trailhead is located at the Cades Cove picnic area. It’s approximately an 8.5 mile roundtrip hike. You can see all of the history of Cades Cove from the Rich Mountain Loop Trail. This is a popular trail for anyone who doesn’t want to drive the 11 mile Cades Cove Loop Road because the trail follows a similar path. ![]() Once you enter the gate, the trailhead is approximately 25 feet ahead on the right side of the road. This hiking trailhead is located right at Cades Cove. It is a relatively short, but challenging hike, to the Cades Cove waterfall from the number 10 stop. Visitors can access the trail from the Cades Cove Loop Road stop number 10. The trail to this Cades Cove waterfall is fairly rocky and dirt-packed, so you’ll want to make sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes for your visit. Abrams Falls is only a 20 foot waterfall, but it’s one of the most powerful in the national park. It’s a 5 mile roundtrip hike that leads to a waterfall. This is one of the moderate trail hikes in the Smoky Mountains. When you finish this trail, if you travel another 4 miles, you’ll be headed toward the Abram’s Creek area. This trail runs for nearly 6 miles to Ace Gap. The trailhead is located on Rich Mountain Road. This is a 5.5 mile Cades Cove hiking trail that shows little gain or loss of altitude, so it is relatively flat. The roundtrip length of this trail is approximately 9 miles. It can be accessed via Parson Branch Road in the Cades Cove area. The Gregory Bald Trail is known for its panoramic views of the Smokies and the flame azaleas that bloom each year. ![]()
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