When planning to hike trails in the park, we recommend you get to the trail head early. Many of the trails are very popular and parking can be difficult. Some of the most popular trails are Abrams Falls, Grotto Falls, Laurel Falls, Chimney Tops, and Alum Cave Bluff. When viewing waterfalls, the best time is spring and winter due to the larger amounts of precipitation. Summer and fall are typically drier months and may cause waterfalls to be less impressive. View waterfalls after a recent rain during these times for best viewing. Safety on trails and around waterfalls is imperative. Many trails are very narrow with steep drop offs. So, take your time. Rocks and ledges around waterfalls and streams can be very slippery. Be careful when walking in these areas. We recommend a walking stick to help with safety and comfort. A good walking stick helps with footing along trails and helps to relieve stress and strain on your hips and back. 3786 Grotto Falls Abrams Falls trail head is located halfway around the Cades Cove loop. This is a 5-mile round trip hike. This is a moderate hike with a couple of strenuous uphill climbs. Good trail most of the way. There are several footbridges to cross. There are areas along the trail that become rocky and root laced. At the beginning of the trail, you will travel through a tunnel of Rhododendron. Abrams Creek will accompany you for most of your journey. Abrams Falls is a 25 ft. high and about 20 ft. wide powerful waterfall. This is the largest water volume falls in the park. It pours over a rock ledge into a deep pool that extends about 100 ft. out from the base. 3768 Grotto Falls Grotto Falls is located on Roaring Fork Motor Trail. It is about a 3 mile round trip hike. This is a easy to moderate trail. There are several rocky and root laced areas along the trail. This is a very popular trail so get there early to photograph or it will be almost impossible. Grotto Falls descends about 20 ft. into a pool of blue-green water. The fascinating feature of this fall is the ability to walk behind the falls. This trail also takes you to the Mt Leconte Lodge which is a 6.4 mile hike one way. It is also fun to watch the Llamas as they walk behind Grotto Falls as they make their 3 times a week delivery to the Mt Leconte Lodge. Laurel falls 0006 Laurel Falls is another very popular trail so arrive early in order to photograph. This is a paved trail that is about 2 ½ mile round trip. This is an easy to moderate trail. Beginning of the trail is a gradual ascend up Cove Mountain. There are several window type views of the distant mountains. As you near the falls, there is an unprotected exposure with a 100 ft. drop off so keep close tabs on children! Laurel Falls is a double waterfall. This is one of the top 3 most visited trails in the park. Spruce Flats Falls is located in the Tremont area. Turn left onto the access road for the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont off Little River Road (road to Cades Cove). The trail head is difficult to locate so ask at the office and they will direct you. This is about a 2 mile round trip moderate to difficult hike. This trail has steep ascends/descends, steep drop offs, and a rocky/root laced/narrow trail. But, the falls are beautiful.