Abrams Falls is one of my favorite day hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is about 4.9 miles round trip, out and back.

Backpacker magazine once named this as one of their top 10 most dangerous hikes in America. It is only because people have been injured or killed from falling while climbing on the slippery rocks, or from drowning after being caught in a current. If you stay on the trail and don’t swim or climb rocks or the waterfall, there is zero danger here.

Just getting to the trailhead is beautiful, as you must drive about halfway around the Cades Cove loop rood.  While driving this road, you may see deer, turkeys, black bears, and coyotes. You will pass old homesteads and churches.

Cades Cove

Once at the trailhead (there is a sign visible from the loop road), the trail is mostly in the shade except for a few spots where it goes up on a ridge. The trail runs parallel to the creek for much of the hike, with beautiful rhododendron blooming in May and June.

Hiking beside running water is very relaxing and therapeutic

Beautiful rhododendron border the path in Spring and early Summer

After about 2.4 miles, you will reach the waterfall. It’s a great spot to enjoy a picnic lunch, put your feet in the water, and just spend some time.

Abrams Falls

You can Hike back the same way you hiked in, and enjoy the rest of the Cades Cove loop road on the way out.

I will be sharing more favorite day hikes in GSMNP soon.

Thank you for following my blog!

Andy