Cumberland Trail Route
Segment Descriptions:
Cumberland Mountain: This 47-mile segment, with 12.5 miles currently open, will traverse the ridges of Cumberland Mountain from Cumberland Gapto Cove Lake State Park. Currently, there are 2 miles open south from Cumberland Gap. Also, the Eagle Bluff unit is open,and extends 10 miles from Big Creek Gap near LaFollette, TN, to Cove Lake State Park at Caryville.
Smoky Mountain: This 25-mile segment currently has 6 miles open. The segmment 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 Royal Blue Wildlife Management Area, will rise to the highest elevation (over 3000 feet) on the entire Cumberland Trail as it enters FHSP.
Frozen Head: This 20-mile segment currently has 7 miles open . The Segment begins at 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 Wild and Scenic River: This segment, with 13 miles of trailhead-to-trailhead core corridor recently completed, will lead the hiker over some of the most rugged terrain in Tennessee. The student volunteers of Breakaway '97 called this segment a "trail of a thousand steps." At present, this trail begins at the Nemo trailhead and incorporates the Obed's 2.5 mile Nemo Trail. The trail then extends an additional 10.5 miles to the Devil's Breakfast Trailhead, providing the hiker with a challenging and exhilarating thru-hike.Planning is currently underway to add another 4.0 miles in the future. Grassy Cove: This segment currently has 12 miles open. The segmentcovers 15 miles and travels on the remnantsof the Crab Orchard Mountains, overlooking the incredible GrassyCove Karst National Landmark. The Cove, actually a limestone sink, lies beneath the forested slopes of Black and BradyMountains, where you'll find the trail.
Stinging Fork: This 15-mile segment currently has 1.5 mies open.The 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 currently has 10 miles open. The segment will begin at the Piney River Pocket Wilderness Trailhead and incorporates the existing Pocket Wilderness trails. The trail is located within the Piney River watershed before finally escaping the escarpment above Spring City.
Laurel-Snow: This 32-mile segment currently has 8 miles open. The segment will incorporate the existing Laurel-Snow Bowater Pocket Wilderness Trail and its two outstanding waterfalls. North Chickamauga: This 20-mile segment is located almost exclusively withinthe 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. Tennessee River Gorge: One of the most beautiful segments on the trail system, these 39 miles of trailwill be located in Prentice Cooper State Forest, with strikingoverlooks of the Tennessee River Gorge. 34 miles of trail are currnetly open. The CT will find its southern terminus here at Signal Point National Historic Park and Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area near Chattanooga.
RETURN TO MAIN PAGE