The Abrams Creek Trail joins the Hannah Mountain Trail and Rabbit Creek Trail to form a challenging backcountry loop. The route follows Abrams Creek to a wide unaided crossing (4.2 miles), where the Hannah Mountain Trail climbs in a hardwood-pine forest to the Rabbit Creek Trail (1.85 miles). The Rabbit Creek Trail undulates steeply (5.15 miles) back to Abrams Creek to complete the 11.2 mile loop.

The trail begins in Cades Cove, a large meadow system with abundant wildlife

Mountain Laurel lines much of the loop, reaching peak bloom by mid-May

Though millipedes cannot bite, many can emit poisonous or foul-smelling compounds through their skin

Travel moderates past Abrams Falls through an area struck by an F4 tornado in May 2011

Wildflowers and orchids line damp sections of the Abrams Falls Trail

You must cross a wide, swift section of Abrams Creek to access the Hannah Mountain Trail

While most hikers' attention is focused on larger wildlife, the forest is teeming with activity

A rainy spring gives rise to spores, which are consumed by insects and regenerated into the forest

The Hannah Mountain Trail

Some wildflowers have edible bulbs that added carbohydrates to the Cherokee's diet

Abrams Falls were named after Cherokee Chief Abram, whose village thrived several miles downstream

The trail crosses Rabbit Creek to backcountry campsite #15

The Cherokee hunted Cades Cove for centuries, but little evidence remains of their activity

The Rabbit Creek Trail