Abrams Falls Trail - Cades Cove Loop - Great Smoky Mountains NP

Abrams Falls is a popular destination in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trailhead can be accessed by driving the Cades Cove Loop Road. There is a gravel road leading to the parking area approximately halfway around the loop (just before the visitor center). This is a family friendly hike, but please do not bring your dog - dogs are not allowed on hiking trails in GSMNP except for Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail. Distance: 5 miles round trip Difficulty: Easy to Moderate, depending on fitness level Duration: 3-4 hours Hike Style: out and back Elevation Gain: 400' Max Elevation: 1700' at the Horseshoe Details: This is a fun, family friendly hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in the Cades Cove area. The trail begins by crossing over Abrams Creek on a foot bridge. There are multiple foot bridges along the trail, as well as several places to view and access Abrams Creek. The first half mile is relatively flat, but the trail will start to gradually ascend at around the half mile point, reaching a max elevation at the Horseshoe at around mile 1.2. At this point the trail will rapidly descend back to creek level over the next half mile, before leveling back out the last stretch leading to the falls. Abrams Falls always has a great flow, but is best visited during early spring and early summer when water levels are up. The rocks around the falls are slick, and multiple drowning deaths have occurred here from swimming in the pool under the falls - please use caution in this area. The trail is usually in great condition, but can be muddy after heavy rains or during times of high water. This channel is dedicated to videos of hiking adventures in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the Appalachian mountains of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. Each video will provide a highlight reel of what you can expect to see along the hike, as well as some detailed trail information provided in the video description. I have hiked all trails in GSMNP, joining the 900 mile club in fall of 2024. In addition to day hiking, I enjoy camping, backpacking, and off trail hiking in and around GSMNP.