Hiking Trails

Cumberland Mtn.

The Cumberland Mountain segment traverses the ridges of Cumberland Mountain from Cumberland Gap to Cove Lake State Park. Currently, the Eagle Bluff unit is open and extends 10 miles from Big Creek Gap near LaFollette, TN, to Cove Lake State Park at Caryville. The Cumberland Trail Conference has a more complete description of the trail on their website.

From The Tennessee Conservationist's Great Hikes With Fran Wallas:
Rock Creek Segment of the Cumberland Trail Offers A Shady Hike for a Hot Day

An additional two miles of the trail have been completed in the Cumberland Gap Military Park. This unit represents the northern end of the Trail.

Next Steps:
LaFollette to Woodson Gap Tract - 80 landowners
Development Trail head is at LaFollette.

Smoky Mountain

This 25-mile segment begins at Cove Lake State Park and traverses the heart of the Cumberland Mountains to Frozen Head State Park. The corridor will offer the rugged, remote challenge so sought after on long-distance linear trails. Futhermore, this segment, while connecting the two State Parks and the Royal Blue Wildlife Management Area, will rise to the highest elevation on the entire Cumberland Trail as it enters FHSP. Construction on the Smoky Mountain Segment begins in March 2000!

The Cumberland Trail Conference has more detailed trail descriptions on its web site.

Frozen Head

Frozen Head State Park and ends at the Obed Wild and Scenic River Nemo Access Site on the Emory River. This segment will offer the first major corridor transition from a primarily ridgeline hiking experience to a primarily watershed gorge experience.

Obed River

The Obed Wild and Scenic River Section of the Cumberland Trail is currently under construction. When completed, it will extend more than 17 miles through the Obed Wild and Scenic River National Recreational Park and the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area. Currently, two portions - a total of seven miles - of the Trail are complete.

Grassy Cove

There are 11.3 miles of trail open on the Grassy Cove Segment of the Cumberland Trail. The trail traverses Brady and Black Mountains, which are remnants of the Crab Orchard Mountains. The hiker is rewarded with unspoiled views of Grassy Cove, a karst limestone sink, and the surrounding mountains. The trail winds through upland dry ridge forests covered in chestnut oak, sassafras, maple, sourwood, and black gum. Chestnut sprouts grow along the trail as well.

Stinging Fork

This 15-mile segment will be the first to encompass a Bowater Pocket Wilderness, its associated trail system, trailhead, and the large Bowater holdings in this region. The Pocket Wildernesses offer established, heavily-visited trail systems that provide superb feeders into the Trail.

Piney River

This 22-mile segment will begin at the Piney River Pocket Wilderness Trailhead and encompass the 10 miles of existing trail. This segment is located within the Piney River watershed before finally escaping the escarpment above Spring City.

Laurel-Snow

This 32-mile segment will incorporate the 8-mile existing Laurel-Snow Bowater Pocket Wilderness Trail and its two outstanding waterfalls.

North Chickamauga

This 20-mile segment is located almost exclusively within the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge. This segment will incorporate the existing 8.5 miles of trail located within the Bowater North Chickamauga Pocket Wilderness. Numerous deep water holes along the creek will make it popular with swimmers.

TN River Gorge

The Tennessee River Gorge Section is one of the most beautiful segments on the Cumberland Trail system. There are 13 miles of completed trail located in the Prentice Cooper State Forest, with striking overlooks of the Tennessee River Gorge. The CT will terminate at the historic Signal Point in Signal Mountain, TN.

Park Map