3 Cove Hardwoods Nature Trail

If you like wildflowers and scenic cove forests, it doesn’t get much better than this. From early April until early May, wildflowers literally carpet the ground. You don’t even have to hike the trail—the picnic area itself is a good viewing spot. During the peak bloom of fringed phacelia, the flowers literally cover the ground. Indeed, more than one visitor has driven quickly by and thought he or she was seeing a late snow. This is a self-guiding nature trail, so you might want to pick up a trail guide from the box at the trailhead. Return the guide after the hike, or drop 50 cents in the slot if you want to keep it.

Start: Chimneys Picnic Area

Distance: 1.0-mile lollipop

Hiking time: About 45 minutes—day hike

Difficulty: Moderate

Trail surface: Forest floor with some asphalt sections

Best season: Early spring for the wildflowers

Other trail users: Hikers and wildflower gawkers only

Maps: Mount LeConte USGS quad; Trails Illustrated #229 Great Smoky Mountains; Trails Illustrated #317 Clingmans Dome Cataloochee; Trails Illustrated #316 Cades Cove Elkmont

Other: The parking area has room for several vehicles. A restroom building sits down the bank on the opposite side of the road.

Finding the trailhead: Drive 4.5 miles south on Newfound Gap Road from Sugarlands Visitor Center and turn right (east) into Chimneys Picnic Area. If coming from Newfound Gap, drive north (toward Gatlinburg) 12.8 miles and turn left into the picnic area. Park in the first parking area on the right (GPS: N35 38.175' / W83 29.508'). The picnic area is closed and gated from sunset to sunrise. If you want to take some early-morning photographs, you have to park at the gate and walk the extra distance. Do not block the gate.

The Hike

Start by climbing the steps up the bank on the west end of the parking area and passing by the old amphitheater. The trail soon forks. You can go either way, as it’s a loop, but if you’re following the trail guide, you need to go to the right. It’s mostly an easy hike over packed ground and through a few small streams, but there are a few steep grades, some covered in asphalt to prevent erosion. Resist the urge to leave the trail, especially while the wildflowers are blooming. Trampling is a concern here, and it’s unnecessary since you can see every species of wildflower from the trail.

Miles and Directions

0.0Start from the west end of the parking area.

0.1Trail forks. Turn right to follow the interpretive markers in the trail guide.

0.9Return to fork and follow the trail back the way you came.

1.0Arrive back at trailhead.