Lead Cove Trail,
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Located 5.5 miles from Townsend, Tennessee (TN)
4 Stars
4,190 Steps 1  (1.8 mi)
Trails National Parks Great Smoky Mountains Lead Cove Trail

Elevation

The Lead Cove Trail has a maximum elevation of 3,031 ft., a minimum elevation of 1,883 ft. and an elevation range of 1,148 ft.

Metrics

[ A to B ] or [ B to A ]
Length 2Min Ele 3Max Ele 4Range 5
1.8 mi1,883 ft3,031 ft1,148 ft
[ A to B ]
Time 6Floors 7Gain 8Loss 9
1.3 hrs94.91,139 ft0 ft
[ B to A ]
TimeFloorsGainLoss
52 min0.00 ft1,139 ft
Data Accuracy
4 Stars
Data Reliability
5 Stars

Calories

The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.

Topo Maps

Download the PDF Lead Cove Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.

Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend

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2
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4
5
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7
8
9
  1. Northwest Topo Map: Kinzel Springs, TN
  2. North Topo Map: Wear Cove, TN
  3. Northeast Topo Map: Gatlinburg, TN
  4. West Topo Map: Cades Cove, TN
  5. Topo Map: Thunderhead Mountain, NC
  6. East Topo Map: Silers Bald, NC
  7. Southwest Topo Map: Fontana Dam, NC
  8. South Topo Map: Tuskeegee, NC
  9. Southeast Topo Map: Noland Creek, NC

Difficulty

The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Lead Cove Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.

FAQ

What is the length of the Lead Cove Trail?

The length of the trail is 1.8 miles (2.9 km) or 4,190 steps.

How long does it take to hike the Lead Cove Trail?

A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 1.3 hours in one direction and in 52 minutes in the opposite direction.

Warnings

Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. (cdc.gov)

Footnotes

  1. Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
  2. Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
  3. Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
  4. Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
  5. Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
  6. Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
  7. Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
  8. Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
  9. Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.

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