b'EXPLORE THE MOUNTAINS ON FOOT7 Recommended Hikes1 Abrams Falls Trail Abrams Falls is arguably the most scenic waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trailhead is located DISTANCE: 5.01 mi approximately five miles into the scenic Cades Cove Loop. Once CHANGE IN ELEVATION: 250 ft you reach the waterfall, pick a spot to picnic and take in the DIFFICULTY: Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitnessscenery. To avoid crowds, consider starting early in the morning required. Easily accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. on a weekday or during the off-season.2 Spruce Flats Falls Spruce Flats Falls is an easy-to-moderate hike that will lead you to a beautiful four-tiered waterfall. In Americas most DISTANCE: 1.88 mi visited national park, this hike is not on most trail maps and is a CHANGE IN ELEVATION: 350 ft lesser-known quieter trail. To reach the trail, drive about 2 miles DIFFICULTY: Easy hike for most any fitness and skilldown the scenic Tremont Road to the Great Smoky Mountains levels. Easily accessible paths. Institute and park in the visitor center parking area. It can be a bit challenging especially if wet and muddy, but if you take it slow and use the stairs built out of a tree, you will be just fine.3 Indian Flats Falls For those wanting a longer trail with beautiful waterfalls and cascades, youll love the Middle Prong Trail to Indian Flat Falls DISTANCE: 7.96 mi in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! It is a great trail CHANGE IN ELEVATION: 1,225 ft for beginners wanting to get their feet wet in some harder hikes DIFFICULTY: Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitnesswithout it being too much of a challenge.required. Easily accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.4 Rich Mountain Loop Trail Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes about four and a half hours to complete this loop trail near DISTANCE: 8.60 mi Townsend. This trail is known for its wildflowers, views, and some CHANGE IN ELEVATION: 1,850 ft historical landmarks and is a very popular area for backpacking, DIFFICULTY: Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitnesscamping, and hiking, so youll likely encounter other people while required. Easily accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. exploring. The best times to visit this trail are March through October.Cades Cove Loop RoadThis short loop allows you to experience the rich history of Cades 5 Cove on foot or through your windshield as you pass through openDrive and Hike fields, dense forests, and over creeks. Spot White-tailed deer, black DISTANCE: 10.8 mi bears, coyotes, turkeys and other wildlife. Enjoy this short loop or CHANGE IN ELEVATION: 475 ft pair it with other nearby trails including the five-mile roundtrip DIFFICULTY: Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitnesstrail to Abrams Falls and longer hikes to Thunderheadrequired. Easily accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Mountain and Rocky Top. The loop is often closed onExpert level? Hike to Rocky Top from the Cades Cove picnicWednesdays to car traffic, so check out their website: area. Its almost 12 miles and has a 3,500 ft altitude change! www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm6 Look Rock Tower Look Rock tower has spectacular views and is a great hike to enjoy year-round. The tower is an old fire tower used for spotting DISTANCE: 1 mile smoke in the valley. The only way to get to the tower is along the CHANGE IN ELEVATION: 300 ft Foothills Parkway from parking lot #6.DIFFICULTY: Easy Hiking Tour. Although the pathway is mostly paved it can be a little rough at times, so you need to be careful not to step off the trail in the wrong place.7 Schoolhouse Gap Trail Located about 9 miles west of the Townsend Y on the road to Cades Cove, this trail travels from Laurel Creek Road to School DISTANCE: 3.8 Miles House Gap. The Schoolhouse Gap Trail is an excellent hike for CHANGE IN ELEVATION: 513 Feet spring wildflowers and is known to have bear activity.DIFFICULTY: Easy, forest trail. This hike is great for families and has minimal climbing.As always, practice Leave No Trace and remove all your trash.20|smokymountains.org'