Home › Routes › TN › Townsend › Cades Cove Loop
Routes

Cades Cove Loop

Townsend, TN

11-mile paved loop through historic valley with preserved cabins and churches inside Great Smoky Mountains.

11Miles
1-1.5 hoursRide time
Cades Cove Loop is an 11-mile paved loop route beginning and ending in Townsend, Tennessee, within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The route circles a pastoral mountain valley featuring preserved structures from the 1800s including historic cabins and churches from the former settlement of Cades Cove (population 271 at its height in early 1800s). Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, turkey, and other Smokies fauna. The loop is open sunrise to sunset, weather permitting, with restricted access Wednesday and Saturday mornings May-September (foot and bicycle only until 10 AM). This is the most visited destination in GSMNP, attracting over two million annual visitors. No fuel stations are available inside the park.

The Route

Open in Google Maps →
  1. Townsend, TNStart
  2. Townsend
  3. historic structures throughout loop

The Ride

Gentle curves through pastoral valley; paved road suitable for all skill levels

Rider Stops Near This Route

Dealers, bars and campgrounds from our atlas near this route's home base — real distances, not ads.

Bars & Saloons

The Townsend Abbey

Townsend, TN0.6 mi
Campgrounds

Big Meadow Family Campground

Townsend, TN0.9 mi
Campgrounds

Smoky Waters Campground

Townsend, TN1.1 mi
Campgrounds

Cades Cove Campground

Townsend, TN1.4 mi
Campgrounds

Mountaineer Campground

Townsend, TN1.4 mi
Campgrounds

Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday

Townsend, TN1.5 mi
Campgrounds

Pioneer Cabins And Farm

Townsend, TN1.6 mi
Campgrounds

Tremont Campground & Log Cabins

Townsend, TN1.6 mi
Campgrounds

Tuckaleechee Campground

Townsend, TN1.6 mi

More Routes in TN

All TN routes →

Cherohala Skyway

43 miles of ridgeline curves connecting Tellico Plains, TN and Robbinsville, NC with 15 scenic overlooks.

43 mi

Devil's Triangle

44-mile loop north of Oak Ridge, TN with tight hairpins and steep drop-offs demanding full rider attention.

44 mi

Foothills Parkway

33 miles of scenic ridgeline riding along the edge of Great Smoky Mountains with no commercial traffic.

33 mi

Newfound Gap Road

36 miles climbing to 5,046 feet with full corkscrew switchbacks inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

36 mi
tennessee