Did you know Abrams Falls, located in the Cades Cove area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, has been deemed one of the most dangerous hikes in all of America? If you’ve hiked to Abrams Falls you might think that’s a bit crazy. The hike itself to Abrams Falls is not dangerous by any means. However, most of the deaths that have occurred there have been water-related incidences, such as drowning by the waterfall or falling from the waterfall due to climbing the slippery rocks.
Located in Cades Cove within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Abrams Falls is a 20-foot waterfall with a large volume of water rushing over and a deep pool at the base. Hike 2.5 miles one-way to Abrams Falls and enjoy the picturesque scenery. It’s the perfect little day hike for everyone of all ages!
Sitting at 5,920 feet, Andrews Bald is the highest grassy bald in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This trail used to be quite treacherous until major improvements were made by Friends of the Smokies. Thanks to them, this hike is now accessible for adventurous people of all ages!
Escape the crowds of Clingmans Dome and find peace at one of the most beautiful grassy balds in the Smoky Mountains. Take the short hike to Andrews Bald and enjoy the amazing views of the southern Smokies and Fontana Lake. Set up a nice picnic on a warm, sunny day, capture the picturesque scenery, or simply breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy being in nature.
Clingmans Dome is a very popular touristy spot. But why? Well, sitting at 6,643 feet, it is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park AND in Tennessee! A short yet steep paved path leads to a 54-foot observation tower which offers beautiful 360-degree views.
Get there early, watch a stunning sunrise (if you’re lucky), and capture a few awesome shots. Make sure you are prepared for the steep incline (almost a 13% grade) and check the weather conditions prior to your trip. If you are in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Clingmans Dome is an adventure you don’t want to miss!
If you know us, you know we love a good sunrise hike! To be more exact, we love watching sunrise from the top of a mountain. We don’t necessarily enjoy waking up at the crack of dawn and hiking in the dark. But it’s (almost) always worth it!
My husband and I had already hiked to McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs which are a part of Virginia’s Triple Crown. Dragon’s Tooth was the missing piece! To make things more interesting, we decided to watch sunrise from the top.
Dragon’s Tooth is a very unique 35-foot rock spire sitting on top of Cove Mountain in Catawba, Virginia. Tackle this challenging yet short hike to Dragon’s Tooth for amazing panoramic views! Go early in the morning for sunrise or later in the evening for sunset. Either way, the experience will be one to remember. Always know your limits and be careful! This route involves some rock scrambling which makes this hike along the Appalachian Trail even more interesting.
I had this crazy idea to hike McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs… out-and-back. Not one-way but out-and-back! The total would come out to be about 18 miles. That’s a pretty far distance to cover in one day unless you’re some ultra-marathon runner… which we are not.
Experience breathtaking 270-degree views from McAfee Knob and take a picture at the famous ledge. The hike to McAfee Knob is the perfect little adventure for you and your family/friends/pets. Read my Complete Guide to Hiking McAfee Knob in 2024 to learn about the best time to go, day hike gear, trailhead location (plus all about the current trailhead closure), trail directions, and more!
Want to take on the “Peaks of Otter One Day Challenge”??? I actually just made up… it’s not an “official” challenge. Either way, it’s something really fun to do if you like physically challenging yourself. Basically, we hiked all three Peaks of Otter in one day. The total mileage came out to be about 12 miles and elevation gain was about 4,000 feet. For the average hiker, I would consider this a tough challenge.
The B25 Bomber crash site is truly a hidden gem on Sharp Top Mountain. Add an extra 0.5 miles to your hike to Sharp Top (and Buzzard’s Roost) to see this historical spot. Please be respectful if you go and follow the leave no trace principles. This is an incredible yet unfortunate sight to see.