Visitors to the Smokies can take advantage of multiple nature trails easily accessible from Highway 441. One of these trails is the Hardwoods Cove Nature Loop located 4.8 miles south of the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Cove Hardwood Forests are considered the most diverse hardwood forest type in North America and this brief interpretive loop trail takes visitors through an old growth cove hardwood ecosystem.

Cove Hardwood Forests are typically located from 3,000’ – 4,500’ in heavily watered, west-facing valleys

The Cove Hardwoods Nature Trail does not leave from the Chimney Tops Trailhead - it leaves from the the separate Chimney Tops Picnic Area located north of the trailhead

The trail winds through a brilliant green Jurassic-like understory

Cove Hardwood Forests feature up to 30 canopy tree species and dozens of flowering shrubs and perennials

Primary hardwood cove residents include silver bell, yellow poplar, basswood, sugar maple, buckeye, beech, and hemlock