Are you taking the kids to Cades Cove Tennessee and wondering about short hikes in the area? This list of the top 4 short and easy Cades Cove hiking trails is perfect for families, but also if you can’t walk very far or if you don’t have a lot of time to hike!
1. Cades Cove Nature Trail
The Cades Cove Nature Trail is 2 miles round trip with flat terrain. The trailhead is easily accessible, as it is located 7 miles into the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road. One of the highlights of the trail is the creek. Hikers will cross it using a bridge that has a handrail for balance. This keeps you safe from walking on the slippery rocks. There is no best time to do this short Cades Cove trail because this area of the national park is stunning in every season. See wildflowers in the spring and summer, bright leaves in the fall, and snowfall in the winter.
2. Wet Bottom Trail
Another one of the short and easy Cades Cove hikes is the Wet Bottom Trail. The trailhead is located near the Missionary Baptist Church on Cades Cove Loop Road. Start at the Cooper Road Trailhead or use the Elijah Oliver Place access trail. The route is just 1 mile long with little elevation gain. Look out for the Elijah Oliver cabin and the springhouse on the property. They are both remnants of a once-thriving settlement.
3. Crooked Arm Cascades Trail
The route to Crooked Arm Cascades is short at just over 1 mile long; however, it is the most strenuous on this list due to the steep areas of the trail. Hikers will park on the Cades Cove Information Kiosk lot, which is near the entrance to Cades Cove Loop Road. The trailhead for the Rich Mountain Loop Trail is located here, and that’s where you’ll start your hike. After a half mile, you’ll reach the junction with the Crooked Arm Ridge Trail. From here, you will reach the namesake in less than half a mile. It is 25 feet tall! The best time to do this hike is in early spring or late fall. There is less foliage, so the waterfall is easier to see.
4. Ace Gap Trail
The Ace Gap Trail is the longest “short” Cades Cove hike on this list, at a little over 5 miles one-way. Even so, the terrain is relatively flat with hardly any elevation gain, so it’s still considered an easy option. The trailhead is where Rich Mountain Road meets Old Cades Cove Road. The parking lot is small, so arrive early to ensure a spot. Some of the highlights include Bull Cave. This is the deepest cave in Tennessee at 924 feet. While you can’t go inside, hikers can explore the outside. You will also see the trail’s namesake. Ace Gap is an old railroad bed used by the Little River Lumber Company. Fun fact: it was a popular card-playing spot for loggers!
Now you know of some short and easy Cades Cove hiking trails. Curious about other lesser-known hikes in the Smokies? Read about 4 more underrated Smoky Mountain trails!
