Snake Den Ridge Trail
The Snake Den Ridge Trail is an American hiking trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park of Cocke County, Tennessee. Winding its way up the backbone-like crest of Snake Den Ridge, the trail connects the Cosby Campground to the Appalachian Trail and provides the quickest access to the high peaks of the Eastern Smokies. The trail passes through three forest types— a mixed deciduous forest at its lower elevations, a substantial stand of heath bald on the more narrow sections of the ridge crest, and an old growth northern-style coniferous forest at its higher elevations.
| Snake Den Ridge Trail | |
|---|---|
Snake Den Ridge Trailhead at Cosby Campground | |
| Length | 5.3 mi (8.5 km) |
| Location | Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, United States |
| Trailheads | Cosby Campground (near Campsite B51) Junction with the Appalachian Trail near the summit of Inadu Knob |
| Use | Hiking |
| Highest point | Appalachian Trail junction, 5,800 ft (1,800 m) |
| Lowest point | Cosby Campground, 2,360 ft (720 m) |
| Difficulty | Moderate-to-Strenuous |
| Season | Open year-round |
| Sights | Views of the lower Pigeon River and French Broad River valleys and the crest of the Eastern Smokies; multiple forest types; Rock Creek and Inadu Creek |
| Hazards | ice hazards in colder months |
The trailhead is located at the Cosby Campground across the street from Campsite B51, at the southwest end of the campground. Spur trails connect the trailhead to the Low Gap Trail to the east and the Gabes Mountain Trail to the north. A substantial parking lot for hikers is located on the opposite side of the campground, near the ranger station. The park's Cosby entrance is located just off Tennessee State Route 32, which splits off from U.S. Route 321 in the town of Cosby.