Tag: Abrams Falls

Townsend Spring Itinerary

Cades Cove church

Spring in Townsend, Tn might just be the perfect time to be in the Smokies for some, though you’re sure to hear the exact opposite from those fall foliage lovers, but that’s neither here nor there. In actuality, both seasons offer ample opportunities geared at getting visitors back to nature – something Townsend excels at, no matter the season. From popular festivals to numerous hikes and bicycle tours around the Smokies and Cades Cove, we’ve compiled a list of Spring “to-do’s” in Townsend. Be prepared to spend a few days if you plan on getting to everything, or just use it as a daily reminder if you plan on coming back a few time this spring.

Strap on your hiking boots and pack something warm just in case as the first jaunt on the Townsend Spring Itinerary gets you off the beaten path and onto the trails of the Smoky Mountains –

  • Take one of the numerous wildflower walks and hikes offfered in the Smoky Mountains; rent a bike from the Cades Cove Campground store and bike the Cades Cove Loop Road or rent from one of the many locales in town and ride the Townsend bike path. One of the most popular day hikes in the area is the Abrams Falls hike by way of Cades Cove – an easy 5-miler that will cool you off halfway through with a quick dip in the pool below Abrams Falls. Definitely worth the hike.

Our next itinerary suggestion lets the traveler enjoy the best of what Townsend and the Smokies has to offer – Cades Cove –

  • Beat the crowds and tour the Cades Cove loop in morning. Take in an evening tour if you’re interested in the Cove’s wildlife and history. Guided tours are now available through Cades Cove Heritage Tours. Be sure to stop by the Cades Cove Campground Store for some of their fabulous ice cream.

So, you’re ready to get back and sample some of Townsend’s offerings, etc? Not only does Townsend offer a handful of great locally-themed stores, there are also a number of historical stops around town to introduce visitors to the history of Townsend and the Smoky Mountains.

  • Check out the arts and crafts of Townsend at some of its many galleries and craft boutiques. From Apple Valley Farms to Nawger Nob to Southern Fried Gallery, Townsend is ripe with local artistic flavor. During the spring there are numerous festivals including the Townsend Spring Festival and Old Timers Day, as well as the Smoky Mountain Pottery Festival. For you history buffs, check out the Little River Railroad Company. It was there that the region got its start as loggers roamed the area before it was designated part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Did you miss anything while you were exploring? Use your final day to just mill around town, or ask the locals what some of their favorite haunts are –

  • Many people come to Townsend to fish. If so, stop by an Little River Outfitters and find out where the fishing is best to be had and pick up some of the latest gear too, eat a great meal at a distinctive local Townsend restaurant, or tour a Tennessee farm. Whatever it is, you’re sure to be back in town in no time. Townsend sort of has that effect on people – they drive through just looking for a way to get to the national park and end up staying for a few days. There’s sure to be even more to add to your list next time you’re in town, hopefully this is a good start.
Cars parked along Cades Cove loop road

Hiking Townsend – Abrams Falls Trail

Hiking to Abrams Falls by way of Cades Cove and Townsend, TN.

As far as Smoky Mountain hikes go, the Abrams Falls Trail is one of the most conducive to beginners and weekend hikers. It’s an easy 5-miler (round-trip) that families can plan a weekend or day-trip around. Set aside 3 hours to fully enjoy the hike however, longer if you plan on enjoying the waterfall. Starting in Cades Cove, just outside Townsend, TN, the trek to Abrams Falls is a great way to get to know the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

So lets talk about the trail itself, which ascends to 1,800 feet at one point. Once you reach Abrams Falls you are actually 300 feet lower than when you began. To get there, take Little River Road from Gatlinburg or Townsend (refer to map below), take the one-way Cades Cove Loop Road 4.9 miles and turn right onto a gravel road that leads to a parking area. If you reach the Cades Cove Visitors Center you’ve gone too far. The Abrams Falls Trail begins at the end of the parking area. You’ll cross the wooden bridge at Abrams Creek to start out. At the 0.5 mile mark, the Elijah Oliver Place is present and the trail goes left to begin the hike to Abrams Falls. For the most part Abrams Creeks will run right with the trail, with one exception when it veers to a highly fished horseshoe bend. Wilson Branch appears at mile 2.5 and the short side trail leads to the falls.

You’ll notice that Abrams Creek resembles a narrow chute before transforming into a beautiful, yet violent 20-foot plunge over a ledge. This natural pool is a haven for swimmers and sunbathers during the hot summer months. In June, laurel and rhododendron frame the falls on its banks. The mist from the falls is a welcome break for hikers as an easy way to cool off and enjoy the park’s natural beauty.

For those looking for an even bigger challenge, the remaining two miles of the trail are much more isolated and unkempt. Ending at Abram’s Creek Ford, get on the Hannah Mountain Trail (left for 1.9 miles to the Rabbit Creek Trail at Scott Gap) and the Hatcher Mountain Trail (right 2.8 miles to the Cooper Road Trail and the Beard Cane Creek Trail). Or just retrace your steps to the Abrams Creek Trail and return to Cades Cove. You’ve completed the 5-mile round trip.

hiking.jpgA quick word of advice, wear hiking boots or shoes comfortable enough for a good walk. For day-hikers, running shoes should suffice, but the National Park’s uneven trails require hiking boots. Please stay on the trail. Hikers can easily lose their way when they leave the trail. If you get temporarily lost, try to retrace your steps until you cross the trail again.

Consider packing yourself some rain gear and a wool sweater as well. Both could be the difference between a terrible hike or a memorable one, especially  if it rains. During the spring and summer you never know when one of those afternoon showers are going to pop up. Even during the summer rain can lead to hypothermia. Having said that, don’t let a fear of hypothermia, getting lost, or bears prevent you from enjoying the Abrams Fall Trails, or any other trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for that matter.

Thinking about bears now? Most park rangers will tell you that more likely to see a bear’s behind as he runs off than meet one face to face. “Incidents” occur when people try to feed or bother the bears or bear cubs.

Directions: To get to the Smokies area from where you are, see directions to get to Gatlinburg or Townsend, Tennessee. From Townsend take TN 321 to the park entrance, turn right on Little River Road to Cades Cove. From Gatlinburg, turn right at the Sugarlands Visitor Center onto Little River Road and on to Cades Cove, where you will travel nearly halfway around the 11-mile loop road to the parking area for the 5-mile round-trip hike to Abrams Falls.