Took this hike by myself, 72 y/o, and made it fine. I would definitely recommend decent shoes, no... read more
Took this hike by myself, 72 y/o, and made it fine. I would definitely recommend decent shoes, no... read more
Some friends of ours invited us on the hike and told us it was ranked “easy”. They made it about... read more
Had a great time hiking to this falls with 10 & 12 year old daughters. We saw some people come out muddy as it had just rained and some parts of the trail were slippery. We took our time and were rewarded with a waterfall to ourselves. Don't miss this one!
This is a short (approx 2 mile roundtrip) hike with a beautiful waterfall at the end. Perfect spot for a rest or picnic. The path has many tree roots and is steep in some areas, so watch your footing. We've done this hike twice and it wasn't crowded either time, probably because it doesn't appear on any map, nor is it in a tourist -heavy area. To find the trail, follow the signs to the Tremont Institute (on road leading up to Cades Cove), park in the lot for the gift shop/office. As you head toward the lodge area you'll see a service road to the left and a sign marked "falls." There is another trail (Lumber Ridge) in the area, so don't get confused. Just follow the signs for the Falls. There is a bathroom in the same building as the office/gift shop.
We had a great hike up to Spruce Flats Falls in Tremont. The hike was moderate, but had a few places that would be challenging for very young or old hikers, perhaps. Some of the terrain was rather steep. The falls were absolutely beautiful and it is a great place to get away from the big crowds you will normally find in the park in peak times.
A very nice waterfalls at the end of the trail that is both narrow and muddy. Don't forget your camera as it is worth the memories.
We hiked this in early April with our two sons, 8 and 10 years old. Like others have said, there are lots of roots and it gets rocky. There's also a stream crossing and some pretty wet spots. We had waterproof hiking boots and trekking poles, which while probably not necessary, sure did make life easier.
The trip there and back took just over an hour. We probably would have lingered longer at the falls, but we wanted to ensure that we were back before dark. We only saw one other couple on the trail.
We noticed a bandana with a map on a glass covered info board at the Tremont Institute. It was very helpful in assessing how close we were to the falls.
Found Spruce Flatts Falls accidentally while looking for a place to take pictures without crowds of people. It was our lucky day. Not only were there almost no other people around but the waterfall was outstanding! The hike there was a little more difficult than they made it sound. Uphill, with tree roots and slippery muddy areas, made the mile there, seem longer. Of course, it didn't help that we were carrying all of our camera equipment! If you go, be sure to wear the right shoes and watch your step, being enough water and don't forget your camera.