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Follow U.S. 321 to
the "Y". Turn onto Laurel Creek Road
and continue straight until you reach Cades Cove
Loop Rd. Travel 4.9 miles on Cades Cove Loop
Rd., cross Abrams Creek and turn right. The
parking area is another 1/2 mile away. This is stop #10 on the Cades Cove
loop tour.
At
the junction of Mill Creek and Abrams Creek
cross the first of 3 foot bridges. After crossing the foot bridge, the trail leads
to the Elijah Oliver Place, the house of the
grandson of John Oliver who was the first
white settler in Cades Cove in 1818.
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The
trail climbs to the top of Arbutus Ridge before
turning back to the right and descending down to Wilson Creek.
After
crossing the foot bridge over Wilson Creek,
you'll see another foot bridge on the left. Take
the short side trail on the left up to the top
of Abrams Falls.
The
rocks at the falls can be very dangerous due to
the moss and water. Proceed carefully! |
| Abrams
Falls Trail parallels Abrams Creek most of the
hike, however you will hike along 3 ridges with
an elevation gain of 1750 feet to the falls.
During
June and May, mountain laurel, rhododendron,
hemlocks, pine trees and wildflowers line the
trail, the waterfall and the pool below.
Abrams
Falls Trail continues another strenuous 1.8
miles to the trail's ends at Abrams Creek Ford.
From there it connects with the Hannah Mountain
Trail on the left, the Hatcher Mountain Trail on
the right and the Little Bottoms Trail.
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If
you choose to return to Cades Cove, retrace your
steps on the Abrams Falls Trail, completing the
4.2 mile hike.
The
Hannah Mountain trail winds 1.9 miles to Rabbit
Creek Trail. The Hatcher Mountain Trail is 2.8
miles to Cooper Road Trail and Beard Cane Creek
Trail. The Little Bottoms Trail continues 2.3
miles to the Abrams Creek Campground.
For
this moderate day hike, it is recommended to
carry a camera, bottled water and a light
snack.
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