If you're an avid hiker who wants a great Cades Cove hiking trail recommendation, let us tell you about one of our favorites. You’ll love hiking Rich Mountain Loop because it has everything Cades Cove has to offer, including stunning scenery and rich history. Plus, it’s on the more peaceful side of the most popular area of the national park! Here is your guide to hiking the Rich Mountain Loop Trail:
Where to Find the Trailhead
You can reach the trailhead for Rich Mountain Loop from the Townsend “Y” intersection. Drive 7.7 miles west on Laurel Creek Road until you find the parking lot just before Cades Cove Loop Road. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has many entrances, and the Townsend entrance is closest to Cades Cove Loop Road. Look for the trailhead on the right side of the road. Make sure you get a Smoky Mountain parking tag for your vehicle before hitting the trail.
Trail Description
The Rich Mountain Loop Trail is a short loop within a longer hike and has a roundtrip distance of 8.5 miles. You don't have to hike long to see beautiful sights because the first part of Rich Mountain Loop has a large meadow with all kinds of wildflowers that bloom in the warmer months. While they are beautiful to look at, keep in mind that picking the flowers is prohibited. They only grow once a year, and we want every visitor to enjoy their beauty! After the meadow, go left at the junction with the Crooked Arm Rich Trail. After another two miles, you’ll reach the Indian Gap Trail. The turnoff for the short Rich Mountain Loop Trail will be about 4.2 miles into the hike. You can then turn back for a shorter hike or continue on for the full 8.5-mile hike. It will take you along the Crooked Arm Ridge Trail, and then back to the Rich Mountain Loop. Plan to spend at least 4 hours exploring this Cades Cove hiking trail. We suggest starting your hike early in the morning. You won’t run out of daylight, and you may be able to beat some of the crowds along the loop road.
Trail Highlights
One of the things you’ll see on the Rich Mountain Loop Trail is the John Oliver Cabin. The namesake and builder lived in the house with his wife. It is the oldest human structure in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The couple was among the first settlers to Cades Cove in the 1820s. They had a son named Elijah who fought in the Civil War and later built his own homestead nearby.
Additionally, you may also have the chance to see popular animals during your hike, such as black bears, deer, and even wild turkey. Maintain a distance of at least 150 feet away from all wildlife. Finally, towards the end of the trail, you’ll see Crooked Arm Falls, a small 25-foot waterfall! Read more about trails in Cades Cove with waterfalls!
Now you know all about hiking the Rich Mountain Loop Trail! Want to know about another great hiking trail in Cades Cove? Here is everything you need to know about hiking to Gregory Bald!
