Hen Wallow Falls via Gabes Mountain Trail Hiking Guide
Hen Wallow Falls is the park's own answer to crowded waterfall trails. When Laurel Falls closed and holiday weekends packed the Gatlinburg trailheads, NPS kept pointing people to this hike in the Cosby area, on the quieter northeastern edge of the Smokies. The falls start as a creek only two feet wide and spread to 30 feet as they drop 90 feet down the rock.
Permit: Hikers park in the designated lot at Cosby Picnic Area, which requires a displayed Great Smoky Mountains parking tag after 15 minutes: $5 per day, $15 per week, $40 per year. A tag machine is at the picnic area. No entrance fee or trail permit.
Distance and Grade
NPS lists the hike at 4.3 miles round trip; AllTrails measures 4.6 miles with about 997 feet of gain and estimates two and a half to three hours. The Gabes Mountain Trail climbs through hardwood forest with hemlock and rhododendron, with some steep sections and switchbacks and tree roots across much of the path. Nothing is technical, but it is a real uphill walk.
At the Falls
Hen Wallow Creek splits into two streams near the top and fans out over the rock face. Look closely in the pool at the bottom and you can often spot salamanders; leave them and the rocks where they are. Hikers who keep going on the Gabes Mountain Trail beyond the falls reach an impressive stand of old-growth forest.
Finding the Trailhead
Park in the designated hiker area at Cosby Picnic Area near the entrance to Cosby Campground, then walk back about 100 yards along the entrance road to the signed start of the Gabes Mountain Trail. The restroom is at the picnic area. A tag machine is at the picnic area too, which is unusual: the park says most trailheads have none.
Bears and Water
The park is home to roughly 1,900 black bears, and the law requires you to stay at least 50 yards away from them. Keep food packed and stay together on the trail. Don't climb on the wet rock at the falls; the park ties many of its injuries to people scrambling around waterfalls. Pets must stay in the picnic area or campground, as dogs are not allowed on this trail.
Hiking tips for Hen Wallow Falls via Gabes Mountain Trail
- Park at the Cosby Picnic Area hiker lot and walk the 100 yards back to the trailhead.
- Use the tag machine at the picnic area if you arrive without a parking tag.
- Look for salamanders in the plunge pool, but leave them be.
- Take the switchbacks slowly on the way down; roots cross much of the trail.
- Choose this hike on busy weekends when Gatlinburg-area trailheads are full.
Nearby trails to explore
- Porters Creek Trail (Greenbrier)
- Ramsey Cascades Trail
- Mount Cammerer via Low Gap Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Hen Wallow Falls is the Smokies waterfall the park sends you to when everything else is busy. Use TrailMates to find hikers heading to Hen Wallow Falls in the Smokies. Download the TrailMates app to connect.