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
Nearby Places to Eat
Nearby Places to Stay
Tracy City
Cumberland Trails RV Park
Privately owned campground with full hookups and gated entrance near Foster Falls
Monteagle
South Cumberland Concierge
Exclusive, luxury vacation homes in Monteagle and Sewanee
Monteagle, Sewanee
Reverie Vacation Rentals
Licensed vacation rental management company offering 5-star stays in the South Cumberland and surrounding areas.
Sewanee
Caver's Paradise
Campground for cavers only with 11 RV hookups, shaded tent camping and direct hiking access to a nearby cave
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.
Monteagle
Terralodge
Luxury domes and treehouses in a wooded setting
Tracy City
The Falls at Sewanee Creek
Unique cabins and glamping options with private waterfall, trails & outdoor movie theater
Altamont, Monteagle, Tracy City, Coalmont, Beersheba Springs
South Cumberland Getaways
SCG is the fastest growing vacation rental management company in the region.
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
Sewanee
Sewanee Inn
43-room hotel on University campus with restaurant, bar, golfing & event space
Sewanee
The Grove Airstream Campground
3 vintage Airstream trailers in a private campground
Monteagle
The Edgeworth Inn
Historic bed & breakfast located within the historic Monteagle Assembly
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.
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.
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.
Tracy City
Goat Pen Hostel
Bunk rooms and private rooms with shared living space kitchenette and bathrooms
Monteagle
Trailhead Cabins
Four cabins located near the South Cumberland Welcome Center
Monteagle
Monteagle Inn
A charming bed & breakfast with 13 rooms, a cottage, and a conference room located conveniently in downtown Monteagle.
Tracy City
Bigfoot Adventure RV Park and Campground
500-acre property with pull-through RV spaces, tent camping, ziplines, disc golf and more
Tracy City
Camp Swann
10 cabins each with their own unique theme, nestled right next Grundy Lakes