Cumberland Trail - Hiking

Review

Intro

Lined with high ridges and deep gorges along the rugged and cliff-lined eastern edge of Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, the Cumberland Trail is an ambitious trail project. When completed, it will extend 300 miles from Cumberland Gap National Park in Kentucky to the Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park on Signal Mountain, Tennessee.

What Makes It Great

Within 60 miles of Chattanooga are six segments of stunningly beautiful trail offering hikers, backpackers, and trail runners a variety of self-guided experiences. We’ve broken up these sections into the following recommendations:

• Julia Falls Overlook (2 miles out and back) 
• Rainbow Lake (2.3 mile loop)
• Edward’s Point (6 miles out and back)
• Mushroom Rock (12 miles out and back)
• Poplar Springs Section (4.9 miles one way)
• North Chickamauga Section (8.3 miles one way)
• Soddy Creek Section South (4.9 miles one way)
• Soddy Creek Section North (12 miles one way)
• Possum Creek Section (9.3 miles one way)
• Rock Creek Section (6.5 miles one way)
• Laurel-Snow Section (6.4 miles one way)
• Piney River Section (8.5 miles one way)

Who is Going to Love It

The Cumberland Trail is typical of most southeastern trails in the sense that rocks, roots, and leaves are constants. While some areas get technical and involve more elevation change, all of these sections are appropriate for careful beginners as well as advanced trail runners, hikers, and backpackers. T

he Cumberland Trail provides a memorable experience outdoors and it's close enought that you'll be back in town for a replenishing meal shortly after. We recommend Mojo Burrito for those looking for local tex-mex, or Urban Stack, for those who might be craving a burger and maybe a swig of Tennessee bourbon.

Directions, Parking, & Regulations

The Cumberland Trail can feel remote at times, and cell phone reception is spotty in some of the gorges. Fortunately, the trail is well-marked with white blazes every 50 yards or so.

After reading our recommendations, see cumberlandtrail.org for trail details and directions to each trailhead.