Cades Cove Loop Road – Maloney Point Viewpoint loop from Abrams Creek

Cades Cove Loop Road – Maloney Point Viewpoint loop from Abrams Creek

Hard

4.7

(8206)

17,650

riders

Cades Cove Loop Road – Maloney Point Viewpoint loop from Abrams Creek

05:46

107km

2,040m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Tips

The surface for a segment of your route may not be suitable

Some segments of your route comprise a surface that may not be suitable for your chosen sport.

After 206 m for 138 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

100 m

Cades Cove Loop Road

Highlight • Trail

Cades Cove is considered by some to be the heart of the Smoky Mountains. The Cove offers access to hiking and backpacking trails, horseback riding tours, camping options, wildlife viewing, historical landmarks, and so on. The road itself is paved with two different gravel roads cutting across the loop (and thus offering shorter loop options). It's pretty much impossible to do the loop without seeing deer, and there are usually turkey and black bear sightings on a daily basis.

On Wednesdays from May-September, the Cades Cove Loop is closed to motor vehicles; this is the most popular time for walking, running, and biking the loops in the park. On days when motor vehicles can use the loop, it takes drivers an average of 2–4 hours to complete the drive.

Tip by

12.9 km

Little River (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

Highlight (Segment) • River

Coming down from top of the Smoky's, I took the side road Fighting Creek Gap Rd to avoid crowds.
It was highlight of the day. After a bit of climbing you will meet Little River at the fork with Elkmont Rd.
After that is all downhill, following river all the way. Don't rush, savour the moment, stop to cool down in the river. Water is pristine and refreshing. My first thought was how would be so much fun to go down those rapids with tube or kayak. Can you imagine over 20km of uninterrupted, class 1 or 2 rapids and you in the tube/kayak.
I have to come back.
At the point where I stopped is campground with the dam that created calm area for swimming.
Perfect location to finish the day. Close by BBQ restaurant offers river side patio dining with good food at reasonable prices.
Enjoy and respect.
Thanks

Tip by

35.3 km

Maloney Point Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

Maloney Point is a popular pull-off and viewpoint along Fighting Creek Gap Road in the Smoky Mountains. There are lots of overlooks along this paved highway, and this is one of the ones that is worth stopping for. You get a great view of the mountains and the ridge on the other side of the valley.

Tip by

44.8 km

Downtown Gatlinburg Attractions

Highlight • Settlement

On the one hand, Gatlinburg is a great destination with many attractions such as the SkyLift Park, Ober mountain (including ski area), hundreds of shops and restaurants, hiking trails and best access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ole Smoky Distillery is said to be the most visited distillery in America with multiple shops in the city. The downside of all this is heavy traffic on the roads and footpaths. The small city is packed with cars and people and you need to allow for sufficient time to get through the city.

Tip by