The 25-Mile Cumberland Trail Might Just Be The Most Enchanting Hike In Tennessee
By Chris Dodge|Published September 20, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
Middle Tennessee is a wooded wonderland filled with waterfalls, mountain tops, and stunning green peaks as far as the eye can see. While exploring the woods it is easy to get lost in the whole experience and forget all about civilization altogether. When you are looking to escape into the woods, there is an excellent trail known as the Cumberland Trail in Tennessee that stretches for miles and miles; today, we are going to focus on just a small section of it. This hike will give you a diverse look at the wilderness in our beautiful state and you are guaranteed to have a ton of fun while doing it.
The Cumberland Trial is broken up into several different sections starting close to Chattanooga and leading all the way up into Kentucky north of Knoxville.
There is a three-part section I want to take you to today that will be located more towards the south starting in a place known as the Possum Creek Resource Management Area. To find your way through this hike one of the best ways, I recommend, is to download the AllTrails app and I will give you a link to each of the three sections of this trail. The first part is the Possum Trail. This hike will take up a little over eight miles to complete with just under 2.000 feet of elevation gain. You might find this hike strenuous, but slow down, take your time, and know it is completely worth the effort.
The reason why this trail is so enchanting is due to the wide diversity you will find along your hike.
Stop and take a break at one of the many waterfalls along the way or marvel at the towering limestone cliffs with interesting rock formations. There are beautiful flowers and wildlife to seek out all while enjoying this peaceful mountainous forest.
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You will eventually intersect the trail with a road, and this is where you can finish or you can take up the next leg of the trip, which is admittedly the hardest.
The Retro Hughes Road Trail is 10.5 miles long with an elevation gain of over 2,000 feet. This stretch follows the ridge, allowing for gorgeous views of the mountainous wilderness with peaks as far as the eye can see.
The trail is also very well maintained with several bridges put into place.
It might seem like a simple thing, but I am always delighted to see bridges in the middle of the woods -- these whimsical wooden structures make any trail feel more magical to me. You can end this trail once you get into the Rock Creek Resource Management Area, or spend some time doing one more loop to round off this hike.
This trail also takes you through familiar territory if you followed the Retro Hughes Road Trail, so having the map will be handy so you don’t spend too much time backtracking. Along the way, the trail will wind in and out of the creek, allowing your hike to be serenaded by the smooth sound of running water. There is even a section where if you catch it *just* right, the water stands still like glass and is crystal clear with a beautiful blue hue to it.
Don’t forget the spur trail to Leggett Point Overlook!
This is one of the best views during this portion of the hike with breathtaking panoramas of the mountains. As previously mentioned, you can break this hike up into three different sections or do it all in one massive hike: the choice is up to you. Whatever you do though, don’t miss this magical trail.
The Cumberland Trail in Tennessee offers some fantastic views, wonderful waterfalls, and beautiful scenery all through the hike. These sections of the trail give nature lovers an abundance of rewards for those willing to put in the hard work.
Looking for more middle Tennessee hikes? Check out the plethora of options awaiting you in Savage Gulf State Park.
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