Gatlinburg, TN – The Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses over 800 square miles of Tennessee and North Carolina and is the most visited national park in the United States logging over 11.3 million visitors in 2017. The region offers many hiking trails with a wide range of skill levels. Popular trail parking lots can be crazy busy, but by arriving before 8 AM we had no problems parking and thus avoided crowded trails. We spent several days visiting the Smoky Mountains in March 2010 and knew we had to come back. This time we blocked 3 weeks in the region. We spent the first two weeks in Sevierville, Tennessee and the third week in Asheville, North Carolina. We used Johnny Molloy’s “Top Trails Great Smoky Mountains National Parks: 50 Must-Do Hikes for Everyone” to guide our trail selection. I’ve written about six other hikes in our Great Smoky Mountains Hiking Part 2 post including: Clingmans Dome Trail, Andrews Bald, Goldmine Loop, Grapeyard Ridge, Ramsey Cascades, and Mount Sterling via Mount Sterling Gap.
Parking at a popular trail spills out along the road. Arrive early to beat the crowds
We spotted turkeys on our early morning drive to the Cucumber Gap Loop trailhead
Cucumber Gap Loop
This medium difficulty loop hike combines Little River, Cucumber Gap, and Jake’s Gap trails for a total distance of about 5.6 miles and 880 feet elevation gain. The loop starts near the Elkmont Campground and old townsite from Elkmont Road off of Fighting Creek Gap Road, which leaves from the Sugarland Visitor Center. From the trailhead parking, we hiked the loop in a counter clockwise loop heading out the Little River Trail which meanders along Little River. We spotted two deer next to the parking area. The wide and easy to follow trail slowly climbs in elevation. Along the way enjoy tulip trees, sycamore, black birch and yellow birch towering over doghobble, rhododendron, and moss covered boulders.
We spotted two deer next to the parking area
Little River Trail begins as a wide path and meanders along Little River
Another view of the Little River
Moss along the Little River Trail
Along the Little River Trail
In about 2.4 miles you reach the junction with the Cucumber Gap Trail which joins from the right. Turn onto Cucumber Gap Trail which climbs more noticeably for approximately 1 mile to Cucumber Gap (3,000 feet elevation) before descending and reaching Jake’s Gap Trail after 2.3 miles. There are two rock-hopping stream crossings along the Cucumber Gap Trail, the first is about 0.4 miles from the junction with Little River and the second is about another 0.4 miles along the trail. According to Molloy, Cucumber Gap is named for the cucumber tree which is part of the magnolia family and bears small green fruit which resembles mini-cucumber in September. Beech and the regal tulip trees also abound in the gap.
Along Cucumber Gap Trail
Cucumber Gap Trail has a a couple of water crossings including this stream
View from Cucumber Gap
At the next junction, turn right onto the wide Jake’s Gap Trail, which used to be a road for a former summer home community. Along the route you will see remnants of old homes including lonely chimneys. At the Elkmont townsite follow the right branch in the trail to return to the parking area.
Trail junctions are clearly marked
A lone chimney along the loop from a former summer home
Appalachian Trail at Newfound Gap
We arrived at Newfound Gap’s parking area early to avoid the crowd. Newfound Gap sits at 5,046 feet elevation and is the location where the Appalachian Trail crosses Newfound Gap Road (Route 441). On our drive to the trailhead we encountered misting fog which grew denser as we gained elevation. At the parking lot conditions were chilly (35°F), wet, and windy. After donning our rain jackets, hats, and gloves, we headed north on the Appalachian trail.
Newfound Gap sits on the state line boundary
We arrived at the trailhead to soupy conditions
We headed north on the Appalachian Trail
From Newfound Gap heading north, the Appalachian Trail climbs about 1,500 feet in the first four miles. The route is rocky, has steps and would provide scenic vistas in clearer weather. We enjoy hiking in foggy conditions as it presents an “other worldly” quality. There were still some sections with snow along the route (including across the entire trail) and a lot of muddy sections.
The trail climbs over 1,500 feet in the first four miles
Snow along the route
Another view of the trail
White slash marks on trees mark the Appalachian Trail for its entire length
We enjoyed meeting some Appalachian trail thru-hikers and wishing them well on their journey. They were about 230 miles into their trek and most quickly outpaced us despite their heavier packs. We enjoyed this hike despite missing out on the scenic vistas.There is a bathroom at the Newfound Gap parking area.
The fog provides an “other worldly quality”
Trail junctions are well marked though this one was leaning against a tree
A final view of this trail with a rocky stretch
Abrams Falls via Cades Cove
We opted to hike to Abrams Falls from the Cades Cove Loop Road trailhead, which is a 5 mile easy-to-moderate out and back route. The trail is listed in Molloy’s book as gaining 300 feet, but both of our fitbits registered about 600 feet elevation hiked, with more than half being on the return trip. From the parking area, which has vault toilets, the trail starts by crossing Abrams Creek via a bridge. Abrams Creek will be your companion along this route. The trail travels through a forest of evergreen and pine, beech, birch, oak, mountain laurel, and rhododendron.
We enjoyed deer, turkeys and scenic vistas along Cades Cove Loop Road on our drive to the trailhead
Abrams Falls Trail starts by crossing Abrams Creek via a bridge
Along Abrams Falls Trail
Another view of the Abrams Falls Trail
There are many wet sections of trail and several log bridge crossings. The trail climbs to the rocky Arbutus Ridge at 1.1 miles, crosses through a gap and opens to a stunning view of an oxbow section of Abrams Creek. From the ridge, the trail descends, climbs, and descends again before reaching Abrams Falls at 2.5 miles. The volume of the falls was impressive. While we encountered 3 other pairs of hikers by the time we reached the falls, on our return trip we started meeting throngs of hikers and the parking area was overflowing by the time we returned to our car.
Mike crosses Arbutus Ridge
Abrams Creek oxbow
One of the log crossings along the route
Abrams Falls
There are historic cabins and outbuildings to visit along the rest of Cades Cove Loop Road after your hike
Take time to enjoy the scenic vistas from the Cades Cove Loop Road
Alum Cave Bluff Trail
Alum Cave Bluff Trail is a very popular trail on Mount Le Conte located off of Newfound Gap Road, about 8.9 miles past the Sugarland Visitor Center. This 4.6 mile moderate out and back gains about 1,100 feet over the 2.3 miles to Cave Bluff turnaround. For those wishing to hike further, the trail continues past the Cave Bluff to junctions with other trails. Alum Cave Bluff trail climbs along Alum Creek and then a smaller creek before reaching its first wonder, a natural bridge at 1.1 miles.
Alum Creek
Karla stands under the natural arch
Rock steps climbing after the natural bridge
From the Natural Bridge the trail climbs steeply with a rock staircase and then switchbacks before reaching its second wonder, Inspiration Point. Molloy describes it as a “heath bald where a rock promontory lives up to its name.” With nearly 360° views, Inspiration point is a great place to stand and marvel while catching your breath for the final climb to the third wonder, the Cave Bluff. The final climb includes sections which were icy from water running onto parts of the trails and steps. Much care should be taken on the icy sections.
Trail at Inspiration Point
Another view from Inspiration Point
Mike climbs to the Alum Cave Bluff
View from the Cave Bluff
Alum Cave Bluff
Laurel Falls Trail
This easy-to-moderate 2.6 mile out and back trail is one of the most popular in the park. The trailhead is located on Fighting Gap Road about 3.8 miles from the Sugarland Visitor Center. The parking lots were always full and cars were parked along both shoulders of the road for almost a half mile in either direction by 9:30 AM. This trail is a paved surface for its entire length, but is in need of repair. From the trailhead the trail climbs about 300 feet in the 1.3 mile trip to Laurel Falls. Along the route are scenic views of the region and a close-up look at the forest. We combined Laurel Falls trail with a nearby quiet walk (0.7 miles) and the Elkmont Nature Trail (0.7 miles). You could also continue past Laurel Falls to the Cove Mountain Trail for a longer hike.
Laurel Falls Trail
View from the Laurel Falls Trail
Another section of Laurel Falls Trail
Laurel Falls
Along the Elkmont Nature Trail
We spent two weeks staying in our RV at the River Plantation RV Resort in Sevierville, Tennessee and an additional week near Asheville, North Carolina at Mama Gertie’s Hideaway Campground. There are RV parks inside of the national park, but the longest RV they will accommodate is a 40′ RV. There are numerous private RV parks located in almost every access town of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
