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Bike Cade's Cove Loop

Townsend, Tennessee

4.7/5
based on 10 reviews

Details

Distance

10.5 miles

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Mason Boring

Bike the ~11 mile historic Cade's Cove Loop (under full moon). This is a great activity and base camp for hiking and backpacking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Cade's Cove is a valley located smack in the middle of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Feel free to drive the 11 mile loop in the day, but if you're really cool, you'll schedule your trip around a full moon so you can bike under the light of night! Allow yourself a few hours to explore around off the loop!

There is camping nearby. Just make reservations! 159 sites are open year round in Cades Cove. If camping, return inside the loop before sunrise to make a memory that's sure to stick.

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Features

Cycling
Camping
Photography
Bathrooms
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Forest
Picnic Area
Scenic
Wildlife
ADA Accessible

Bike Cade's Cove Loop Reviews

I've only biked around Cades Cove in the mornings, and it is well worth it! Lots of wildlife out and about the earlier you go. Most of the year, the Cades Cove loops is closed to cars on Wednesday and Saturday mornings so that visitors can bike and walk around the loop without traffic. It's a great time to go! The campground store also has bike rentals if you don't want to bring your own bike. There are quite a few hills, but nothing too strenuous.

Cade's Cove was my favorite spot in the park and seeing it on a crisp July morning was truly amazing. Not only do you get amazing views out of it, but you get to see and explore some awesome historic structures!

Just did this last weekend with a few friends during the full moon and WOW. We got there around midnight and the entire valley was lit by the moon. Heard some coyotes but that was it in terms of wildlife. Completely surreal experience, thanks so much for the suggestion.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Abrams Falls Trail

Gregory Bald via Gregory Ridge Trail

Hike to Rocky Top

Backpack to Spence Field

Hike to Look Rock Tower

Gregory Bald via Twentymile