
Distance (One Way)
Elevation Gain
Trailhead
Location
Trail Description
Abrams Falls Trail is an easy to moderate hike near Townsend, TN. The entire trail is 4.2 miles long, but only 2.5 miles to the waterfall (one way). 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.
The trail to Abrams Falls waterfall is fairly worn and wide. The way to the falls feels more downhill than uphill, so it's a big more challenging on the way back. From start to finish the complete 4.2 miles has an elevation difference of 400 feet.
The trail to the falls traverses pine-oak forest on the ridges and hemlock and rhododendron forest along the creek. At the 1.0 mile marker, Abrams Falls trail crosses over Arbutus Ridge, one of the highest points on the trail at about 1850 feet. Beyond the ridge you will catch glimpses of the horseshoe, a popular spot for fly fishing, to the west.
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.
Since the 1970s, nearly 30 people have suffered water-related deaths at Abrams Falls. Swimming near Abrams Falls is not recommended. Please use caution when viewing the waterfall; rocks near the water can be very slippery. Never climb on rocks around the waterfalls in the Smokies.
[+ Read More]Abrams Falls Trail Elevation Profile

Trail Difficulty Scales Explained
Elevation Grade
2%
Fairly Flat
Paul Petzoldt Scale
5.3
Moderate
5
10
15
Shenandoah Scale
68
Moderate
50
100
150
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. It has been rated as one of the most dangerous hikes in America for this reason.
Photo Gallery (9)









Trail Map
More Hikes
- Abrams Falls Trail (4.2 mi)
- Albright Grove Loop Trail (0.7 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 (71.7 mi)
- Baskins Creek Trail (2.7 mi)
- Baxter Creek Trail (Mt. Sterling) (6.2 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) (4.9 mi)
- Bullhead Trail (Mt. LeConte) (5.9 mi)
- Cataract Falls (Fighting Creek, Cove Mountain Trail) (0.5 mi)
- Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail (4.2 mi)
- Charlies Bunion via Kephart Prong Loop (14.2 mi)
- Chestnut Top Trail (4.3 mi)
- Chimney Tops Trail (2 mi)
- Clingmans Dome Trail (0.6 mi)
- Cooper Road Trail (10.5 mi)
- Cove Mountain Trail (8.5 mi)
- Cucumber Gap Trail (2.4 mi)
- Dry Sluice Gap Trail (4.2 mi)
- Eagle Creek Trail (8.9 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)
- Grapeyard Ridge Trail (7.6 mi)
- Gregory Bald Trail (Gregory Bald) (7.3 mi)
- Gregory Ridge Trail (Gregory Bald) (5 mi)
- Grotto Falls (Trillium Gap Trail) (1.4 mi)
- Hannah Mountain Trail (9.5 mi)
- Hatcher Mountain Trail (2.6 mi)
- Huskey Gap Trail (4.1 mi)
- Jakes Creek Trail (3.3 mi)
- Kephart Prong Trail (2 mi)
- Laurel Falls Trail (4 mi)
- Lead Cove Trail (1.8 mi)
- Little Bottoms Trail (2.3 mi)
- Little Brier Gap Trail (Walker Sisters Cabin) (1.4 mi)
- Little Greenbrier Trail (4.3 mi)
- Little River Trail (6.1 mi)
- Low Gap Trail (5.4 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)
- Metcalf Bottoms Trail (0.7 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)
- Mt. Sterling Ridge Trail (5.3 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)
- Rabbit Creek Trail (7.8 mi)
- Rainbow Falls Trail (Mt. LeConte) (6.6 mi)
- Ramsey Cascades Trail (4 mi)
- Rich Mountain Loop (8.7 mi)
- Russell Field Trail (3.5 mi)
- Schoolhouse Gap Trail (Whiteoak Sink) (2.1 mi)
- Spence/Russell Field Loop (13.2 mi)
- Spruce Flats Falls Trail (Buckeye) (1 mi)
- Swallow Fork Trail (4 mi)
- Sweat Heifer Creek Trail (3.7 mi)
- Thunderhead Mountain (Rocky Top) (6.1 mi)
- Trillium Gap Trail (Grotto Falls, Mt. LeConte) (8.9 mi)
- Turkeypen Ridge Trail (3.6 mi)
- Whiteoak Sink via Schoolhouse Gap Trail (2.3 mi)
The above list of hiking trails in the Smokies is incomplete and constantly being updated. If you have information or photos you would like to contribute, please contact [email protected]