You will want to wear comfortable shoes (no flip flops or sandals) and take bottled water and maybe a snack with you. Smoky Mountains-Rich Mountain Loop, located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee is a 8.5 mile hiking trail with a top elevation of 3686 feet. The Rich Mountain Loop trail in Cades Cove is one of the few loop hikes in the park and, while it starts off with a rather laborious climb, it offers a fantastic view of Cades Cove, a chance to explore an early settler cabin and a small, but very pretty, waterfall. The trail will finish downhill, and for a few trail blazers, with a 25-foot waterfall just 50 yards off the trail toward the end of Crooked Arm Ridge. River Loop mountain bike trail. The Rich Mountain Loop Trail begins at the parking area at the start of the Cades Cove Loop Road and terminates in 3.3 miles at a junction with Indian Grave Gap Trail.

Explore the quiet area of busy Cades Cove on the Rich Mountain Loop.
Loop. The Rich Mountain Trail connects Earthquake Ridge to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail - IMBA Epic located on the top of Rich Mountain via Skyline Drive (HY88).

The trail has 2 distinct parts.

At 1.4 miles, there is a pleasant surprise if you’re not expecting it.

You will also experience many views of Cades Coveand the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains. The Rich Mountain Loop in the Great Smoky Mountains begins in Cades Cove. Rich Mountain Trail puts you near three 4,000 foot mountains, all of which are included in the Georgia 4000 Challenge sponsored by the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. The first mile or so is pretty level, then it gets STEEP for a few miles, then there's a nice ridge line with views (through the trees) both north and south, then a pretty steep descent on a rutted trail full of sharp switchbacks. To utilize them, one person needs to leave their car at the parking area for the Rich Mountain Loop Trail.

A great loop from Cades Cove up Rich Mountain. Hiking Little Bottoms Trail – Crazy Tornado Damage! Trek through meadows spattered with wildflowers and vibrant woods, see a historic cabin, wildlife, and a waterfall.

It is near the beginning of the Cades Cove Loop.

Hiking the Rich Mountain Loop – In Snow! I have yet to ride the entire trail and what is shown here is from Round Top. The trailhead starts at the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Road. It’s 8.5 miles and offers views of wildflowers, meadows, historic structures and more.

These trails make a loop. This hike is a loop from Three Forks to Springer Mountain via both the Benton MacKaye Trail and the Appalachian Trail. Park at the Cades Cover Information Kiosk. On this hike you will pass Rich Mountain, Big Stamp Gap, Ball Mountain, and the Stover Creek Appalachian Trail shelter. Meadow along Rich Mountain Loop Trail The trailhead leaves the Cades Cove Loop Road.

The Rich Mountain Loop Trail is located on the Cades Cove topo map. Hikers on the Rich Mountain Loop trail will see violets, flame azeleas, purple phacelias, and much more depending on the time of year. It offers terrific views of Cades Cove along the way. Skipping it would create an orphan hike but since today was a fairly low mileage day, I decided to grab it.

Ran the Rich Mtn. These mountains are Big Bald, Rich, and Tickanetley Bald. There is plenty of parking on the left as you approach the Cove entrance. Rich Mountain Loop shows a more peaceful side of Cades Cove. The single track is tight in spots, a few rocky descents challenge even the bravest riders to walk, a sand trap swallows your tires near the river, and an occasional windblown tree clutters the trail. Explore more in our professional, high quality trail guides and outdoor reviews. Be bear aware, I saw 5!!

It runs through parts of Henderson, Boulder City and the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada, U.S.A.

And it’ll continue to go up.

The trail is flat in the beginning as it follows an old roadbed which tracks near the Oliver cabin. Rich Mountain Trail Alternatives: If you are hiking with a friend and you come in two cars, you have a couple of alternatives when hiking up the Rich Mountain Trail. The River Mountains Loop Trail is a 34-mile paved destination trail around Nevada's scenic River Mountains. Beautiful wildflowers are also abundant on the trail. The Rich Mountain Loop Trail is an 8.5-mile trail in the Great Smoky Mountains.

The River Loop is a 3.4-mile, intermediate/advanced trail just below the Red & White that follows the Cartecay River in sections. Rich Mountain Loop Trail is a peaceful hike. If you’re looking for a longer hike, this one’s for you.
Remember to bring empty bottles and wrappers back with you. 8.5 Miles Total - 1736 ft gain - Loop Trail Save Review Upload. Originally added by The Outbound Collective.

Trail Ratings 3.7 from 3 votes #7 in Cades Cove #17846 Overall. Overview. near the main parking area at the gate. Rich Mountain Loop Trail Add to Favorites.