Parka

Great Smoky Mountains National Park hiking guide

Cades Cove Loop Road

A 10.5-mile trail with 1,630 ft of climbing in Cades Cove, rated easy.

Cades Cove Loop Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Photo: jared422_80

Key facts

Length
10.5 mi (16.9 km)
Elevation gain
1,630 ft (496 m)
Difficulty
Easy
Area
Cades Cove

About Cades Cove Loop Road

Surrounded by majestic mountains, this scenic drive winds through a valley filled with historic structures, including log cabins, churches, and a working grist mill. The area is renowned for its diverse wildlife, offering frequent sightings of white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and black bears. Scenic overlooks provide stunning views of the surrounding landscape, while historic sites offer a glimpse into the lives of early settlers. Visitors can explore these sites, enjoy wildlife viewing, and take in the natural beauty of the area.

Route map

Route map of Cades Cove Loop Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park1 miN
Start and finishNorth is up. Drawn from the route in the Parka app.

Nearby in Cades Cove

Why Park Lovers Choose Parka

Trip Planner

All the tools for epic adventures

Works Offline

Fully functional without cell service

Updated Weekly

Trail conditions, alerts, and closures

Try Risk-Free

7-day free trial, cancel anytime

Start Your 7-Day Free Trial

Unlock everything you need for your next national park trip. Your first week is on us!

National Park vista

Start your adventure today

Download Parka and plan your perfect national park trip in minutes.

Explore All 63 National Parks

Browse parks by region and discover your next adventure