Abrams Falls TrailModerate

Distance (One Way)
Elevation Gain
Trailhead
Trail Description
Abrams Falls Trail is an easy to moderate hike near Townsend, TN and is a 4.2 mile trip one way with an average elevation gain of 260 feet per mile. The trailhead is located off of the 11-mile loop in Cades Cove. One of the most popular Smoky Mountains hiking trails in the park, the hike follows Abrams Creek and passes by Abrams Falls.
It takes about 3-4 hours to hike to the waterfall and back. The trail to the falls traverses pine-oak forest on the ridges and hemlock and rhododendron forest along the creek.
Due to the length and terrain of Abrams Falls Trail, some visitors may rate the hike as more difficult than moderate. Definitely do not attempt the hike in sandals or flip flops; there are many rocky areas and at least 3 narrow log bridges to cross. It is also worth noting that if you begin your hike late in the afternoon, you may have to return in the dark.
[+ Read More]Hiker Tips & Trivia
- Make the trip early and be aware that both the trail and the waterfall area can get very crowded due to the hike's popularity.
- The waterfall's pool has a strong current and undertow that is not suitable for swimming.
Photo Gallery



Trail Map
- Abrams Falls Trail (4.2 mi)
- Alum Cave Trail (Mt. LeConte) (5 mi)
- Andrews Bald via Forney Ridge Trail (1.8 mi)
- Anthony Creek Trail (3.5 mi)
- Appalachian Trail Smoky Mountains Segment (71.4 mi)
- Baskins Creek Trail (2.7 mi)
- Big Creek Trail (Mouse Creek Falls, Midnight Hole) (5.8 mi)
- Bote Mountain Trail (6.6 mi)
- Boulevard Trail (Mt. LeConte) (5.4 mi)
- Bradley Fork Trail (7.3 mi)
- Brushy Mountain Trail (Mt. LeConte) (5.9 mi)
- Bullhead Trail (Mt. LeConte) (5.9 mi)
- Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail (4.2 mi)
- Charlies Bunion via Kephart Prong Loop (14.2 mi)
- Chimney Tops Trail (0.8 mi)
- Clingmans Dome Trail (0.6 mi)
- Dry Sluice Gap Trail (4.2 mi)
- Elkmont Nature Trail (0.8 mi)
- Forney Ridge Trail (5.4 mi)
- Gabes Mountain Trail (Hen Wallow Falls) (6.6 mi)
- Gatlinburg Trail (1.9 mi)
- Gregory Bald Trail (Gregory Bald) (7.3 mi)
- Gregory Ridge Trail (Gregory Bald) (5 mi)
- Grotto Falls (Trillium Gap Trail) (1.4 mi)
- Jakes Creek Trail (3.3 mi)
- Kephart Prong Trail (2 mi)
- Laurel Falls Trail (4 mi)
- Little Greenbrier Trail (4.3 mi)
- Little River Trail (6.1 mi)
- Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail (7.4 mi)
- Lumber Ridge Trail (4.1 mi)
- Lynn Camp Prong Trail (3.7 mi)
- Maddron Bald Trail (Albright Grove) (7.3 mi)
- Meigs Creek Trail (3.5 mi)
- Meigs Mountain Trail (6 mi)
- Middle Prong Trail (Indian Flat Falls) (4.1 mi)
- Miry Ridge Trail (5 mi)
- Mt. Cammerer Trail via Low Gap + AT (5.6 mi)
- Newfound Gap to Clingmans Dome (7.7 mi)
- Noland Creek Trail (9.2 mi)
- Old Settlers Trail (15.8 mi)
- Old Sugarlands Trail (3.9 mi)
- Panther Creek Trail (2.3 mi)
- Porters Creek Trail (Fern Branch Falls) (3.7 mi)
- Rainbow Falls Trail (Mt. LeConte) (6.5 mi)
- Ramsey Cascades Trail (4 mi)
- Rich Mountain Loop (8.3 mi)
- Russell Field Trail (3.5 mi)
- Spence/Russell Field Loop (13.2 mi)
- Spruce Flats Falls Trail (Buckeye) (1.8 mi)
- Sweat Heifer Creek Trail (3.7 mi)
- Trillium Gap Trail (Grotto Falls, Mt. LeConte) (8.8 mi)