I’m embarrassed to admit I have not been to Cades Cove since August 1979 (right about my 5th birthday). I hope to go back again sometime, but when my health is better. It’s a bit taxing for me to do long walks, though. I had a bit of trouble when I visited Cloudland Canyon State Park in NW Georgia (a beautiful state park if you ever get the chance to see it, reminiscent of some Western parks) with my being woefully out-of-shape to attempt a descent down to see a waterfall there, and that was a relatively short trail, just a bit arduous for me since you had to descend and ascend into and out of a canyon.
I hiked up to Rocky Top about 15 years or so ago. I couldn’t do it now nor will I likely ever again. I have trouble walking two miles on level ground these days. My feet won’t take it.