From the parking area, wander up the hill on a gravel road and follow the signs for the Buckeye Trail. Follow the signs to the Tremont Institute and park here. On the way to or from Cades Cove, turn off at the Tremont Road. Spruce Flats Falls is a local favorite for getting a quick walk in the woods. This “secret waterfall” is a must for any hike around Cades Cove. According to the National Park Service, all wildflowers in Cades Cove are protected by law, so no picking or digging, but admire and photograph! You will know you have come to Ace Gap when you come to an old railroad bed.”ĭuring May, parts of the Ace Gap trail are strewn with pink Lady’s Slippers a large, showy wildflower that belongs to the orchid family. “Ace Gap was so named for card playing loggers that once congregated there. Once beyond the cave, the trail meanders five miles along the ridges of Rich Mountain to the place known as Ace Gap. The bottom of the cave is 500 feet from the surface. Near the trailhead, hikers pass Bull Cave, the largest cave in Cades Cove. The trailhead is down Cades Cove Loop and up Rich Mountain Road. The 5 ½ miles has little altitude gain or loss. Ace GapĪce Gap is located 3.5 miles from Townsend, Tennessee, and is considered one of the most peaceful trails in Cades Cove. This hike requires about 9 hours to enjoy the hike and take breaks throughout the day. The trail opens from footpath to wide wagon road before again winding its way down the Crooked Arm Ridge Trail overlooking beautiful views of Cades Cove. Climb for nearly three miles to reach the junction to the old Rich Mountain fire tower – it’s a gain of almost 1,800 feet in elevation. Low elevations are first and then the real climb begins just after the historic Oliver Cabin. The trailhead is to the right just before the loop begins. Many people choose to hike this loop clockwise – so they park at the interpretive pavilion in the large lot on the left BEFORE driving into the loop. At the top, hikers will see the remains of the old Rich Mountain Fire Tower. Walk by the historic John Oliver cabin from the 1820s, pass the 25-foot Crooked Arm Falls, and climb up Cerulean Knob for a view from the highest point on Rich Mountain. It starts at the entrance of Cades Cove Loop Road. Rich Mountain Loop is an 8.5-mile hike for more experienced hikers. And if you go on a Wednesday, you’ll walk 5 miles along the loop road as well.Īn inexpensive self-guiding tour booklet available at the entrance to the road provides a map and information about the cove. 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 too 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. Longer hikes to Thunderhead Mountain and Rocky Top on the famous Appalachian Trail also begin in the cove.Īt approximately 2.6 miles, hikers will turn left to the footbridge and come out to a beach area where they can observe the 20-foot waterfall named for Cherokee Chief, Abram. Appalachian TrailĪbrams Falls Trail is a five-mile roundtrip challenging hike to Abrams Falls. Today the large trees growing along the Cades Cove Nature Trail are primarily oak, dogwood, sourwood, and pine trees. Almost one third of the forest surrounding Cades Cove’s was made up of Chestnut trees at that time. On this trail, visitors can see what remains of what was once a thick chestnut grove in the 1800’s. “The Cades Cove Nature Trail is particularly beautiful in the spring when the dogwoods bloom and also in the fall when the sourwoods and maples turn a beautiful red” NPS.gov. 28,2022 to provide for pedestrian and bicycle use – so it’s a GREAT day to plan a hike in this incredible place uninterrupted by cars traversing the loop. As of May 4, the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road will be closed to all vehicles on Wednesdays through Sept. Located 27 miles from Gatlinburg and 9 miles from the lovely Townsend, TN., Cades Cove has plenty of trails – from short and gentle to more challenging. But there are several terrific hiking trails around Cades Cove as well!Īlong the trails are waterfalls, caverns, monuments, a grist mill and incredible natural life – hikers might see white-tailed deer, black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk and other animals. Many choose to drive, walk or bike the 11-mile, one-way loop road that circles the cove. More than 11 million people coming through the Smokies each year, and nearly 4 million of them choose a trip to Cades Cove for its beauty, history and wildlife. 2022 Top Cades Cove Hiking Trails – Great Smoky MountainsĬades Cove is a favorite destination for many people visiting the Smokies with its broad, lush, green valley surround by mountains.
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