The Great Smoky Mountain National Park boasts over 70 hiking trails, one of the most popular and beautiful trips is the Abrams Falls trail. While making the trek to the falls on the Abrams Falls trail you will enjoy flower lined footpaths, the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, wildlife and of course the gorgeous 20 foot falls. This hike takes you out of the mainstream tourist areas of the Smokies and puts you in touch with the beauty and nature of the mountains and even lets you enjoy the experience of an old fashioned swimming hole.
Only a 5 mile round trip hike the trail to Abrams Falls is an easy day trip that has an ascent of about 340 feet into the mountains in Cades Cove. Due to the slight climb involved the Abrams Falls trail isn’t exactly a “walk in the park” but worth the effort. The Abrams Falls trail begins with a marvelous wooden bridge with plenty of parking and getting organized space. Considering that area gets an average of 1000 visitors per day during the peak season you probably won’t be alone. With the beautiful foliage and blooms through the spring and summer, and the colorful leaves in the fall, it’s worth braving a crowd to hike to Abrams Falls.
The park service advises that all hikers in the Cades Cove area plan ahead and bring sufficient supplies. Some of the things you will need when hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains include, comfortable sturdy shoes, high energy food or snacks, extra clothing, first aid kit, water, rain gear, matches, whistle, knife, and of course a trail map and compass. These are all important supplies for hikers.
Some of the wildlife you may encounter in the Smokies include bears, foxes, squirrels, deer, and snakes and of course forest insects. As you wend your way along Abrams Creek you will find trout fishermen, and some really gorgeous views. At the falls the natural pool at the bottom often attracts sunbathers and swimmers, as well as the mist from the falls creating a great cool area to rest up before heading back.
When you visit the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and hike to Abrams Falls, you will be experiencing the best that the back country of the mountains has to offer; beautiful, wild, and all natural attractions that the whole family will enjoy and remember for a lifetime.
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