top of page
Mountain Goat Trail
StoneDoorOverlook_edited_edited.jpg

Mountain Goat Trail


The Mountain Goat Trail is a rails-to-trails project, following the route of an historic railroad that, from 1856 to 1985, the carried coal and passengers over the Cumberland Plateau and down to the main Nashville-to-Chattanooga line in Cowan. It was called the Mountain Goat because its climb onto the Plateau was, at the time, one of the steepest railroad ascents in the world.


In the early 2000s, the Mountain Goat Trail Alliance was formed to transform nearly 40 miles of the former rail bed into a paved, multi-modal trail, and it continues to be expanded. New segments of the Trail are scheduled to begin construction from Sewanee to Cowan and Tracy City toward Coalmont in 2026. The bridge across Interstate 24 is due to be replaced, with the addition of a multimodal trail, in 2026 or 2027.


The Sewanee-Monteagle section of the trail begins in downtown Sewanee and ends at Mountain Outfitters in Monteagle. The best place to park in Sewanee is at the Sewanee Welcome Center, downtown at the flashing light. Parking is also available in the gravel lot on Highway 41A at Hawkins Lane.


In Monteagle, parking is available at Mountain Outfitters or Monteagle City Hall to access the Trail. Another trailhead is at Fiery Gizzard State Park Visitor Center.


In Tracy City, the trail can best be accessed from Old Roundhouse Park downtown or from Tracy City Elementary School.

Trailheads

Hikes & Attractions

Filter by trailhead:
Filter by feature:

Nearby Places to Eat

Nearby Places to Stay

South Cumberland Concierge

Monteagle

South Cumberland Concierge

Exclusive, luxury vacation homes in Monteagle and Sewanee

Monteagle Inn

Monteagle

Monteagle Inn

A charming bed & breakfast with 13 rooms, a cottage, and a conference room located conveniently in downtown Monteagle.

Terralodge

Monteagle

Terralodge

Luxury domes and treehouses in a wooded setting

Cumberland Trails RV Park

Tracy City

Cumberland Trails RV Park

Privately owned campground with full hookups and gated entrance near Foster Falls

Grundy Forest Campground

Tracy City

Grundy Forest Campground

Five sites and one group campsite, only a half mile hike from the Fiery Gizzard North trailhead. Online reservations required at Reserve.tnstateparks.com.

The Falls at Sewanee Creek

Tracy City

The Falls at Sewanee Creek

Unique cabins and glamping options with private waterfall, trails & outdoor movie theater

Bigfoot Adventure RV Park and Campground

Tracy City

Bigfoot Adventure RV Park and Campground

500-acre property with pull-through RV spaces, tent camping, ziplines, disc golf and more

Retreat Vacations by Oakstone

Tracy City, Monteagle

Retreat Vacations by Oakstone

This new luxury, tiny home mountain community offers over 50 vacation homes. Includes 1/2/3 bedrooms, fire pits, hiking trails, playground, biking, canoe/kayak rentals, hot tubs & gathering areas.

Father Adamz Campground

Tracy City

Father Adamz Campground

The Father Adamz Campground was established in honor of a local priest and early advocate for the  Boy Scout movement. It's only a half-mile hike from the Fiery Gizzard South Trailhead. Online reservations required at Reserve.tnstateparks.com.

Foster Falls Campground

Tracy City

Foster Falls Campground

Located at the Fiery Gizzard South Trailhead, this is the only state park campground in this area that is open to vehicles, with 25 sites for tents or small trailers. Online reservations required at Reserve.tnstateparks.com.

Caver's Paradise

Sewanee

Caver's Paradise

Campground for cavers only with 11 RV hookups, shaded tent camping and direct hiking access to a nearby cave

Camp Swann

Tracy City

Camp Swann

10 cabins each with their own unique theme, nestled right next Grundy Lakes

The Grove Airstream Campground

Sewanee

The Grove Airstream Campground

3 vintage Airstream trailers in a private campground

Sewanee Inn

Sewanee

Sewanee Inn

43-room hotel on University campus with restaurant, bar, golfing & event space

Smoke House Lodge & Cabins

Monteagle

Smoke House Lodge & Cabins

Rustic lodge and cabins conveniently located in Monteagle, and its Patio Grill Restaurant is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with live music every day

The Edgeworth Inn

Monteagle

The Edgeworth Inn

Historic bed & breakfast located within the historic Monteagle Assembly

Reverie Vacation Rentals

Monteagle, Sewanee

Reverie Vacation Rentals

Licensed vacation rental management company offering 5-star stays in the South Cumberland and surrounding areas.

Trailhead Cabins

Monteagle

Trailhead Cabins

Four cabins located near the South Cumberland Welcome Center

South Cumberland Getaways

Altamont, Monteagle, Tracy City, Coalmont, Beersheba Springs

South Cumberland Getaways

SCG is the fastest growing vacation rental management company in the region.

Goat Pen Hostel

Tracy City

Goat Pen Hostel

Bunk rooms and private rooms with shared living space kitchenette and bathrooms

More to do nearby

Fine Arts at the Mountain

Sewanee

Fine Arts at the Mountain

Full line musical instrument store and music school

Taylor's Mercantile

Sewanee

Taylor's Mercantile

Florist with gift items including collectables, jewelry, stationary, gift baskets and gardening items

Music on the Mountain at The Smoke House Patio Grill

Monteagle

Music on the Mountain at The Smoke House Patio Grill

Features some of the best artists and songwriters from Nashville every Friday night from 6:30 to 9:30 and every Saturday night from 4:30 to 9:30. Also serving hot food and cold beer, with indoor and outdoor seating options.

The Whimsy Willow

Monteagle

The Whimsy Willow

Clothing, gifts and home goods boutique with a little something for everyone

Oakes & Oliver's Modern Mercantile

Monteagle

Oakes & Oliver's Modern Mercantile

Cool vintage items, unique home decor and local handcrafted goods

The Mabee Homeplace

Monteagle

The Mabee Homeplace

A Storied Home with Connections to Al Capone

University of the South Ralston Listening Library

Sewanee

University of the South Ralston Listening Library

Million-dollar listening room with world-class collection of recordings

Sarah Sulfridge, LMT

Sewanee

Sarah Sulfridge, LMT

Local Professional Massage Therapist offering Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, and Cupping massage to The Mountain.

Frank White House

Tracy City

Frank White House

An Eclectic Home with a “Do It Yourself” Owner

Grundy County Historical Society Museum

Tracy City

Grundy County Historical Society Museum

The Definitive Historical Resource for the South Cumberland Region

High Point Climbing

Tracy City

High Point Climbing

Fully insured and certified climbing guides at Denny Cove and Foster Falls

Nature's Treasures

Tracy City

Nature's Treasures

Garden produce center and seasonal decor store

Cove Creek Farm

Monteagle

Cove Creek Farm

Working farm with indoor & outdoor playgrounds and guided tours

Mountain Mobile Massage

Altamont, Beersheba Springs, Coalmont, Gruetli-Laager, Monteagle, Palmer, Pelham, Sewanee, Tracy City

Mountain Mobile Massage

Individual or couple massages with optional add-on treatments in your accommodations

Taste of Ink Tattoo Studio

Tracy City

Taste of Ink Tattoo Studio

Private tattoo studio offering a variety of custom tattoo, art and piercings.

Mountain Outfitters

Monteagle

Mountain Outfitters

Outdoor equipment and apparel store with rock wall inside and permanent 50%-off outlet upstairs

Olde House Shoppe

Tracy City

Olde House Shoppe

A carefully selected collection of home & garden decor, antique/vintage finds, gifts & unique items

University of the South Archives & Museum

Sewanee

University of the South Archives & Museum

University Archives and Special Collections

Sublime Haven

Sewanee

Sublime Haven

A mountain sanctuary of sacred rituals—massage, facials, Reiki, reflexology, meditation and sound healing—infused with wild botanicals to restore your glow and renew your soul

Historic Dutch Maid Bakery

Tracy City

Historic Dutch Maid Bakery

Tennessee’s Oldest Family-Owned Bakery

Abbo's Alley

Sewanee

Abbo's Alley

An easy-to-walk and carefully tended ravine garden at the University of the South in Sewanee.

Music Barn

Tracy City

Music Barn

Musical instruments & accessories, bibles, books and gifts

Tim Graham Mountain Bike Trails

Sewanee

Tim Graham Mountain Bike Trails

More than 13 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails on the campus of St. Andrew's-Sewanee School that are open to the public year-round.

Hallelujah Pottery & Full Circle Candles

Monteagle

Hallelujah Pottery & Full Circle Candles

Locally-crafted pottery, candles and other gifts

Historic Henry Flury & Sons Grocery

Tracy City

Historic Henry Flury & Sons Grocery

A Century of Essentials and Personal Service

Roundhouse Park and Historic Tracy City

Tracy City

Roundhouse Park and Historic Tracy City

Park with historic marker, picnic pavilion and playground

Highlander Folk School

Monteagle

Highlander Folk School

An historic site on America's journey toward a more just and inclusive society. (Closed for Restoration)

Historic Mountain Goat Railroad

Tracy City

Historic Mountain Goat Railroad

A real-life version of “The Little Engine that Could”

May Justus Memorial Library

Monteagle

May Justus Memorial Library

Local library, named for a noted author and teacher who encouraged literacy among area citizens.

Tenacity Adventure Fitness

Tracy City

Tenacity Adventure Fitness

Martial arts studio with weight training equipment and indoor climbing, trampolines and obstacle courses for kids

The Hotel, The Eagle & College Hijinks

Monteagle

The Hotel, The Eagle & College Hijinks

An Epic Tale of Fire, Abduction, Guilt and Repatriation

Shenanigans Live Music

Sewanee

Shenanigans Live Music

Restaurant & pub featuring sandwiches, pizza and craft beers with a back room "speakeasy" serving fine cocktails and live performance venue featuring regionally touring bands.

Birds & Clays at Baggenstoss Farms

Tracy City

Birds & Clays at Baggenstoss Farms

Full-service 500-acre hunting destination, featuring bird hunting, clay shooting and specialty hunts.

Woody's Bicycles

Sewanee

Woody's Bicycles

A full service bicycle shop offering sales, service, and rentals of bicycles and electric bicycles. Woody's is an authorized Trek and Electra dealer and is a great resource for local trails, routes, and amenities

Christ Church Episcopal

Tracy City

Christ Church Episcopal

From a humble start in a woodshed, an enduring legacy

Highland Bluff Studio

Monteagle

Highland Bluff Studio

Subtly nerdy soy candles made with all natural soy wax, cotton wicks, and no dyes

Monteagle Sunday School Assembly

Monteagle

Monteagle Sunday School Assembly

One of Nine Surviving Chautauquas

Fade Medical Spa

Monteagle

Fade Medical Spa

Medical spa services by appointment: hydrafacial, dermal filler, neuromodulators

University of the South

Sewanee

University of the South

History Awaits at the University of the South

Werner Military Museum

Monteagle

Werner Military Museum

Unique Military Equipment from a Unique Collector

E.L. Hampton House

Tracy City

E.L. Hampton House

From Railroad Ticket Agent to Coal Company President

Lemon Fair

Sewanee

Lemon Fair

Clothes, jewelry & accessories, home goods and Sewanee-themed items

Frame Gallery Gifts & Art

Sewanee

Frame Gallery Gifts & Art

Full-service custom frame shop with an art gallery that showcases work by local and regional artists and unique, one-of-a-kind gifts from around the world

The Marugg Company

Tracy City

The Marugg Company

The Business that Scythes Built

The Course at Sewanee

Sewanee

The Course at Sewanee

This recently renovated golf course, featuring gorgeous bluff views, is open for play at the University of the South.

Wrenn's Nest

Monteagle

Wrenn's Nest

A place to escape summer heat and yellow fever

Bigfoot Adventure Zipline & Disc Golf

Tracy City

Bigfoot Adventure Zipline & Disc Golf

RV park and campground with ziplining, disc golf and clay shooting

Mooney's Market & Emporium

Monteagle

Mooney's Market & Emporium

Located in a 1939 storefront, The Market is a Natural Foods Grocery, while the Emporium is a collection of "shops". Yarn shop, antiques, houseplants, pottery, African baskets and more.

Bodyworks Youniversity & Mountain Massage

Sewanee

Bodyworks Youniversity & Mountain Massage

Pilates mat classes, private and duet sessions as well as yoga and YouFit cardio/weight training classes

Amish Hippie

Monteagle

Amish Hippie

One of the quirkiest vintage shops in Tennessee, with clothing, jewelry, accessories, gifts, nostalgic souvenirs, vintage posters & stickers, tobacco accessories, t-shirts, Amish soap and baskets.

ECO E-bikes

Monteagle

ECO E-bikes

E-bike rental, sales & repair right on the Mountain Goat Trail

bottom of page