Rich Mountain Trail is near Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Rich Mountain Trail in the Smoky Mountains

Photo Courtesy of Bill Priest, Photographer

This view of Cades Cove was taken from Rich Mountain. If you enjoy hiking and also discovering interesting and different things, this trail is one you'll want to hike. You'll see large locust trees. Their bark is yellow. Then you'll come across Devil's Walking Stick. This tree has the largest leaves in North America but be careful it has thorns.

About a mile along your hike, you'll come across the large sassafras tree - another unusual tree. Stop for awhile and notice the tree's leaves. It has 3 distinct shapes -- all on the same tree.

Keep traveling and you'll reach Hesse Creek which is about 1 3/4 miles along the trail. You may find it difficult to get a view of this creek but take the time to try. It has a small cascade of about 10 feet and is quite lovely.

Photo Courtesy of Bill Priest, Photographer

You can almost imagine you're standing on Rich Mountain looking down at the picturesque Cades Cove Methodist Church. The Rich Mountain Trail gives you a little of everything -- breathtaking views, interesting and unusual trees, cascades, and solitude.

To Get There: Take the Cades Cove Loop Road to Rich Mountain Road to the park boundary.