About Rich Mountain Loop Trail (Cades Cove)
Rich Mountain Loop is a long day above Cades Cove for hikers who want to get away from the car traffic below. It is a strenuous loop of about 8.5 miles with roughly 1,600 feet of climbing, starting at the John Oliver Place on the Cades Cove Loop Road. Most people drive past the cabin; you start from it.
The hike
The trail climbs out of the cove through forest to the ridgeline above, with a long stretch along the ridge before it drops back toward the cove. The route links several trails on the north side of the cove, so use a trail map and check junctions carefully. Allow 5 to 6 hours.
When to go
Spring brings wildflowers and fall brings color; summer is hot and buggy lower down.
Getting there
The John Oliver Place is on the one-way Cades Cove Loop Road. It is open sunrise to sunset, and from early May through September the Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to cars on Wednesdays (May 6 to Sept. 30 in 2026), so pick another day unless you plan to bike in. The park charges for parking rather than entry: a parking tag is $5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year, required for any vehicle parked more than 15 minutes. America the Beautiful and other federal passes are not accepted.
Know before you go
Pets are not allowed. Bring plenty of water, a map and rain gear. Black bears are common. See the John Oliver Cabin page for the cabin walk.
Pair it with
Other hikes in the same part of the park:
- Abrams Falls: a 5-mile round trip to a 25-foot waterfall
- Cades Cove Nature Trail: an easy loop of about 0.8 miles
- Cooper Road Trail: a long, gentle 10.9-mile old road
Planning and safety
Treat this as a full-day commitment. Steep mountain trail often takes closer to one mile per hour on the climbs, so build in extra time. Start early, set a firm turnaround time, carry a headlamp, and tell someone your plan before you lose cell service.
Check conditions the morning you go. The park posts trail and road closures and cautions, and storms, ice and Hurricane Helene repairs can change access with little notice. Carry water, a rain layer and a map, keep a safe distance from bears and elk, and pack out everything you bring in.
Good to know
- How long is Rich Mountain Loop Trail (Cades Cove)?
- Rich Mountain Loop Trail (Cades Cove) is 8.5 miles one way, with about 1,600 feet of climbing. It is rated strenuous.
- Are dogs allowed on this trail?
- No. Inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, dogs are allowed only on the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail.
- Do I need a parking tag to hike here?
- A Park It Forward parking tag ($5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year) is required for any vehicle parked more than 15 minutes inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Entry is free, and federal passes such as America the Beautiful do not replace the tag.
