A traceable cable includes at least one data transmission element, a jacket at least partially surrounding the at least one data transmission element, and a tracing optical fiber incorporated with and extending along a length (l) of the cable. The tracing optical fiber includes a core having a first index of refraction and a cladding having a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction, with the cladding substantially surrounding the core. The tracing optical fiber also includes periodically spaced apart scattering sites spaced along the optical fiber at a spacing ratio of n sites per meter, wherein each scattering site is configured to scatter no more than about 1/(n*l) times optical power provided to the tracing optical fiber. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.