Cumberland Trail

The Cumberland Trail (CT), a State Scenic Trail, follows a line of high ridges and deep gorges lying along or near the rugged eastern escarpment of Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau. When completed it will extend 220 miles from Cumberland Gap, on the Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky border, to the Grand Canyon of the Tennessee, the Tennessee River Gorge, on the Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia border. Several segments, totaling nearly 40 miles, are now complete:

• Cumberland Mountain: This segment (formerly Section 1) 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.
  
  
• Grassy Cove: This segment (formally Section 5), covering 12 miles, travels on the remnants of the Crab Orchard Mountains overlooking the incredible Grassy Cove Karst National Landmark. The Cove, actually a limestone sink, lies beneath the forested slopes of Black and Brady Mountains, where you'll find the trail.
  
  
• Tennessee River Gorge: One of the most beautiful segments (formally Section 9) on the trail system, the 12 miles of trail are located in Prentice Cooper State Forest, with striking overlooks of the Tennessee River Gorge. The CT will find its end here at the historic Signal Point in Signal Mountain, TN.
  
  
• Obed Wild and Scenic River: This segment, currently under construction, will lead the hiker over 17 miles of trail through some of the most rugged terrain in Tennessee. The student volunteers of Breakaway '97 called this segment a "trail of a thousand steps." A 2.5 mile portion of this trail is currently open and we invite you to explore the Obed.

The CT is being built and maintained by the Cumberland Trail Conference (CTC), an organization of Tennessee Trails Association (TTA), a non-profit all volunteer organization dedicated to the promotion, maintenance, and construction of trails in Tennessee. The CT was designated a State Scenic Trail in 1971, and its early development was a joint project of the Tennessee Department of Conservation and TTA. However, lack of funding in recent years caused its demise and many parts of the trail totally disappeared from neglect. The CTC, in a cooperative agreement with the State of Tennessee, has now accepted responsibility for the trail. We organize and provide activities that work toward the Trail's completion, and publish a biannual newsletter.

The CTC has a goal of completion for the CT of October 2008 -- the 40th anniversary of the Tennessee Trails Association. The CT, as an interconnecting community greenway, will thrive only with volunteerism and leadership that you and your community can offer. So watch this web site for current information on open and under-construction segments, future trail work days, and how you can help make the CT happen.

The '97 CT/BreakAway, an alternative spring break program for university students, made tremendous strides this spring on the construction of the Obed Wild and Scenic River segment, building over a mile of rugged trail. Students from Florida, Tennessee, New York, Texas, and Michigan came to Crossville, TN, and joined TTA members from throughout the State as they gave their time building the rugged "trail of a thousand steps." We appreciated their efforts. If you and your university are interested in BreakAway '98, click here.

Please visit the CT News Page for announcements and information on scheduled activities.

LINKS TO RELATED PAGES:

Tennessee Trails

National Scenic Trails

The All American Hiking and Backpacking Trail Guide

Tennessee State Parks

Big South Fork River and National Recreation Area

Ozark Highlands Trail

Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club

Hiking Hot Links

Hiking in Middle and East Tennessee

Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness

The Backcountry Home Page

Tennessee Outdoor Recreation

Hikenet's Tennessee Club Listing

Send email to cumberlandtrail@rocketmail.com if you like

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Last updated on 1/7/2000

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