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Abrams Falls Trail

Intermediate Intermediate
 3.9 (16)
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. …Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  5. Cades Cove
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“A scenic hike that follows Abrams Creek to a 20-foot tall high-volume waterfall. ”

Max Willner
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Map Key

4.3

Miles

7.0

KM

Point to Point

1,746' 532 m

High

1,271' 387 m

Low

310' 95 m

Up

747' 228 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

All campsites must be registered with the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. ( nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/…).

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park also closes secondary roads on a seasonal schedule due to snow. Schedules can be found here:
( nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/…)

Backcountry rules and regulations can be found here:
( nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/…)

Description

Just northwest of the Cades Cove Visitor Center, the trailhead for the Abrams Falls Trail is off the side of Cades Cove Loop Road, between exits 10 and 11. A gravel road leads to a large parking area near the trailhead.

This is one of many popular day trips in the Smokies. Shortly into the trail, hikers will cross a footbridge over Abrams Creek. The hike to the Abrams Falls is fairly level the entire time. Along the way, the forest and rhododendron surround the trail as it follows the creek.

The falls are a great place to sit down and relax for a picnic. While the falls are only 20' feet high, it pours a huge volume of water per second into a pool roughly 100' wide.

It's important to exercise caution near the falls and not to get too close. Don't climb on the slippery rocks or swim in the water. Backpacker Magazine listed this trail amongst the "10 most dangerous hikes in America" in 2008 (due to accidents near the falls).

Hikers can choose to hike along past the falls towards Hannah Mountain Trail and Little Bottoms Trail, allowing the option to hike some excellent loops and head back to the parking area.

Flora & Fauna

The Smokies are home to more than 1,600 species of plants, most of which produce an abundance of flowers in the spring. These species include mountain laurel, rhododendron, azalea, and many others. Spring wildflowers peak from early April through late May. To learn more about the plants of the Smokies and even get a trees and shrubs checklist, visit ( nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/p…).

As for local fauna, black bears are common in the area, along with white-tailed deer and 31 species of salamanders.

Birdwatchers can spot a variety of species, notably the northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) and red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus).

For more information on black bears, refer to this webpage:
www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/black-bears.htm

Contacts

Local Club: Smoky Mountains Hiking Club

Land Manager: NPS - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Shared By:

Max Willner
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 16 votes

#4

in Cades Cove

#8123

Overall
  3.9 from 16 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
19%
2 Star
6%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#4

in Cades Cove

#141

in North Carolina

#8,123

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Photos

Abrams Falls.
Feb 3, 2016 near Wildwood, TN
Abrams Falls in the summer.
Jan 23, 2016 near Wildwood, TN
Cades Cove. with permission from Justin P
Aug 4, 2016 near Wildwood, TN
Rhododendron blooms as you hike the trail in June.
Jan 23, 2016 near Wildwood, TN
Abrams Falls. with permission from RAllen
Aug 4, 2016 near Wildwood, TN
Abrams Falls.
Apr 15, 2016 near Wildwood, TN

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 75 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 23, 2024
Jill Newsome
Mark, Jill, Ethan and McKenna
Jul 23, 2023
Zach Koontz
Great hikes loads of bears — 5h 00m
Jul 4, 2023
Walker Jester
Apr 16, 2023
Rebecca Gibbon
Great trail to the falls! So peaceful and scenic. Saw lots of insects and a snake. 5.2mi — 2h 50m
Jan 15, 2023
Peter Rojek
i loved crossing the bridges 4.3mi
Sep 7, 2022
Keith Gordon
Jun 5, 2021
Frank Pollara
15h 52m
Apr 1, 2021
Jane Ting
Beautiful fall

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