Day Hikes

A remarkable natural sandstone arch, easily accessible via a 400-foot stair-stepped path from the parking lot. Access this adventure from the Lost Cove North Trailhead.

One of Sewanee's most popular hikes - especially when wildflowers are blooming in the spring. Descend into Shakerag Hollow, climb stone stairs up to Green's View.

A moderate 2-mile out-and-back from Sewanee Village to Memorial Cross, with its overlook of Cowan

An easy 4.2 mile round-trip hike and a perfect outing to see the eastern part of Savage Gulf and Savage Falls. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf East Trailhead.

Scenic overlook at the University of the South in Sewanee, Green’s View is a favorite spot for picnics and sunset views. Access this adventure from University Avenue via Green’s View Road.

A moderate 3-mile trek with swimming holes, history, geology, giant hemlocks and cascading streams with an optional 1/3-mile walk through the site of a 1930s CCC camp. Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead.

2-mile out-and-back hike from the University Gates to a beautiful overlook of Shakerag Hollow

This is a relatively easy 2 mile out-and-back hike with a spectacular overlook and steps that descend through a 150-foot crevice at the crest of the plateau. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf North Trailhead.

This scenic and historic overlook at the University of the South in Sewanee is also a favorite spot for sunsets. Access this adventure from University Avenue via Tennessee Avenue.

One of two outstanding overlooks on the Sherwood Loop Trail, the Tom Pack Hollow overlook (at mile marker 0.5) has one of the longest viewing distances of any overlook in the region. The adjacent Sherwood Natural Bridge is also a great place for a photo. Access this adventure from the Lost Cove East trailhead.

Another outstanding overlook on the Sherwood Loop Trail, the Crow Creek Valley overlook (near mile marker 2.5) offers views all the way into Alabama with multiple picturesque ridge lines framing the view. Access this adventure from the Lost Cove East trailhead.

This 400-foot trail, next to the Stone Door Ranger Station, leads to a picturesque waterfall. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf North Trailhead.

This is a moderately difficult 4-mile roundtrip hike to one of the largest cave openings in Tennessee, and the only one from which water normally flows. There are two steep ascent/descent areas; one at each end of this trail. Access this adventure from the Lost Cove West Trailhead.

Big Creek forms one of the three large canyons, locally known as "gulfs", in the Savage Gulf escarpment. The Big Creek Gulf overlook provides a nearly 270º view from adjacent rocky outcrops near mile marker 0.75 on the Greeter Trail. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf West trailhead.

There's a recreational lake with swimming and picnicking facilities at the site of the historic Lone Rock Coke Ovens, where locally-mined coal was converted to coal coke by convict labor. An easy 2.3-mile hike encircles the lakes; some of it using a low-traffic paved road. Access this adventure from the Grundy Lakes Trailhead, which is also the parking area for the swimming and picnicking facilities.

This is a 1-mile easy, round trip walk through a meadow with storyboards from a children's book and a forest playground made of logs and ropes -- a great way to introduce the little ones to the joys of hiking! Access this adventure from the South Cumberland State Park Headquarters on US 41 in Monteagle.

At the southern end of the Fiery GizzardTrail is Foster Falls, a 60-foot waterfall, the tallest in the parks, with a swimming hole at its base. There is an easy quarter-mile hike to observe the falls from above; and a much more strenuous two-mile hike (round trip) to clamber to the bottom of the falls on a rocky trail. Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard South Trailhead.

A moderate-to-challenging one-mile out-and-back trail with a spiral staircase, taking you to Greeter Falls. Also check out the (easier) spur trail to the Blue Hole swimming area, as well as some smaller waterfalls and historic sites. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf West Trailhead.

2.7-mile out-and-back hike from Lake Cheston to Bridal Veil Falls, which disappears into an underground stream. Not recommended during dry months.

This is an easy 2.9 mile loop trail that includes the Sherwood Natural Bridge and several outstanding overlooks. Access this adventure from the Lost Cove East Trailhead.

Moderate 2.7-mile hike from the Sewanee Visitor Center leading to a loop featuring views of Lost Cove

A third scenic overlook at the University of the South in Sewanee, Morgan’s Steep is also a favorite spot for picnics. Access this adventure by parking at Lake Cheston and hiking 3/4 mile each way to/from Morgan's Steep.

This easy half-mile trail circumnavigates Lake Cheston, a popular swimming area for the University.