Take a Hike Near Historic Cades Cove

August 16, 2013

Cades Cove is an expansive valley surrounded by sky-climbing mountains on all sides; the effect is that of standing in an immense bowl. Visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park love Cades Cove for its incredible views, the best for hiking in the Smokies. Cades Cove offers numerous options for hikers of every experience level. The following is a list of some of the most popular hikes in the Cades Cove area.

Abrams Falls

Abrams Falls consists of a set of short, powerful waterfalls that attract thousands of hikers every year. Though the falls are only twenty feet in height, they carry a massive volume of water, leading to a visually impressive burst of water over the rocks. The falls can be reached in a five mile round trip hike, which takes approximately three to four hours for most hikers to accomplish; the hike is considered moderately difficult.

Rich Mountain Loop

The Rich Mountain Loop passes directly through one of the beautiful meadows that pull tourists to the Cades Cove area in the Great Smoky Mountains . Stunning wildflowers coat the meadow every summer, leaving it a sea of purple phacelia. Botanists can expect an exciting trip; all may be lucky enough to find wild turkeys wandering the trail. The hike is approximately eight miles long, and should take between five and seven hours for most hikers.

Gregory Bald

This trail is best known for the incredible flame azaleas that appear every summer. The hike is just as wild as the fauna, but well worth the trip for the experienced hiker. A ten acre grassy meadow near the summit will delight visitors and makes for a great picnic.

Planning on visiting with your family? Here are the top family friendly things to do in Cades Cove.

After a day of hiking in the Smokies, stay the night and relax in one of our Gatlinburg cabins. Equipped with everything needed to make your Smoky Mountain vacation memorable, our cabins are sure to be the best place for your getaway. Contact us at (800) 436-6618 to begin planning your trip to Gatlinburg!