The Low Gap trail begins at the Cosby campgrounds. Unless you are day hiking out of the camp itself, park in the lot to the left of the small permit house and continue on by foot. The path starts from the campground as a gated gravel road just a short distance beyond here. For maybe half a mile, the trail accesses a utility area for the campground. However, soon the gravel road passes typically between two large rocks, signalling the beginning of hiking trail. At first, you will stroll through 'flat' bottomland. The trail is wide and well kept, but there are some medium sized rocks and occasional mud. This is a horse trail, so watch your step! There is a small creek for horses to ford. A tree trunk bridge is on the the right, though it may take a little hunting to find the way to it, especially on the return trip.
Before long the trail heads up the main ridge of the Smokies. The elevation gain is about 1500 feet in the last 1.5 miles - almost a 20% grade. Low Gap is an important cross roads, a wide horse trail from Cosby up to the Appalachian Trail. There is a U.S.G.S. bench mark here, but there is no view. View seekers must continue on the A.T.(that's Appalachian Trail). I recommend making a left turn toward Mount Cammerer for the finest and easiest views. Mount Cammerer, a long but worthwhile trip from the Cosby campgrounds, still has a nice fire tower and offers extraordinary views.
The trail is not very busy, though rarely empty. Scenic vistas are common toward the north, less frequent to the south. All are outstanding. Fall is particularly nice as the hardwood cove below offers a throng of colors. It is an easy, though long hike on to the top .