Top Scenic Hiking Trails in Wears Valley, Tennessee

Wears Valley, Tennessee houses one of the most diverse areas in the Great Smoky Mountains. The mountain town sits at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park between Townsend and Pigeon Forge, and provides its own charm and scenic beauty. One way to experience all the area offers is to hike one of its many trails. Get ready to find a favorite retreat and find the top hiking trails in Wears Valley.

3 Scenic Hiking Trails in Wears Valley

Beard Cane

The Beard Cane trail offers a moderate hike on a mostly flat surface. Walk through the hollow between Beard Cane and Hatcher Mountains for a 4-mile trip, mostly in a straight line. While hiking, see beautiful wild flowers and flowering shrubs, including polygala, trillium, dog-hobble and rhododendron. Trees such as oak, tulip and maple form beautiful canopies along the hiking trail as well. Visitor should note that the trail has some thick areas, so a hiking stick is a must.

Ace Gap

Ace Gap ranks as one of Wears Valley’s most peaceful trails near Cades Cove. The 4.4-mile trail changes somewhat in altitude, so it’s a moderate hike. On the way to Ace Gap, see Bull Cave, one of the largest and deepest caves in Tennessee. The bottom of the cave sits approximately 500 feet below the surface.

Rich Mountain Loop

Rich Mountain Loop trail provides fantastic views of Cades Cove and the Great Smoky Mountains. While hiking, see numerous cleared fields on this end of Cades Cove. Most fields cleared by early pioneers have been reclaimed by forests, but the Great Smoky Mountain National Park service keeps some of the fields clear to show visitors how the cove looked in the 1800s. Perfect for a full-day hike, Rocky Mountain Loop measures 8.5 miles and includes historic sites and a diverse collection of wildflowers.

Enjoy learning about these hiking trails in Wears Valley? Check out the full Wears Valley outdoor scene.