Relax and Re-charge in the Mountains of Calm
Indulge your senses in nature and augment your experience with spa and fitness activities
Since prehistoric times, people have been seeking out the area now known as Tennessee’s South Cumberland as a place to relax, re-charge, and re-connect with nature....and themselves. It’s no wonder people have sought out this area for centuries. In the 1800s, before air conditioning, a trip to “the Mountain” was an escape from the humid, stifling heat of summer that blankets the Southeast.
CHILL IN THE FOREST
Pleasant summer breezes glide over the Cumberland Plateau, 2,000 feet above the sea, and its deep forests provide welcome shade. Temperatures here are typically six to eight degrees cooler than at lower elevations. Cool mountain streams and their waterfalls create wonderful “swimming holes.” The breathtaking scenery is an added bonus.
For a great way to be one with nature, try the three-mile Sherwood Loop Trail in the newly-designated Head of the Crow State Park. From I-24, exit 135, follow signs to the Lost Cove East trailhead. This trail features two spectacular overlooks, and because it is rarely busy, it’s a great place to take a leisurely walk in a beautiful forest environment.
Another less-frequented but excellent forest path is the Caldwell Rim Trail, part of the 13,000 acre University of the South campus. The trail leaves from the ball field parking lot on Ball Park Road in Sewanee. Trail marker posts will lead you around a loop through a pristine forest, then through an area that has recently been part of a “prescribed burn” (to help reduce wildfire fuels and restore the forest floor!). You’ll be amazed at how the forest is restoring itself!
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Speaking of self-restoration, people from all across the country still come to “the Mountain” to unplug and re-charge. There's nothing quite like the cool, clean mountain air and breathtaking scenery to put life's challenges into perspective. You can also augment your nature experience with spa and fitness activities, like a solo or couple's massage, a morning yoga class, or even medical spa services.
Located on the beautiful 13,000-acre campus of the University of the South in Sewanee, Bodyworks Youniversity is a unique setting for restorative work. The studio exudes a peaceful, retreat-like atmosphere. Owner Kim Butters says she strives to make each person’s experience a “tiny vacation” from daily, busy life, helping clients learn how to destress and unwind both body and soul.
Also in Sewanee, Sublime Haven offers a wide range of healing rituals designed to restore balance and harmony, each tailored to meet your individual needs, ensuring a personalized experience that is uniquely you. This boutique spa is designed to provide a cozy and serene atmosphere, with every detail carefully curated to ensure your comfort and relaxation.
Just up the road, in the Country Mart building in Monteagle, High Vibes Healing has a beautifully designed and state-of-the-art studio. Owner Anneli Virkhaus offers infrared sauna sessions that “boost circulation, lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, burn calories and promote weight loss.”
Or have the massage brought you to. Mobile Mountain Massage will tailor a massage to your needs in your vacation rental.
SHARE THE CALMNESS
Tennessee’s South Cumberland is also a great place for a retreat, reunion, or gathering with friends and family. There are hundreds of wonderful vacation homes in the region that can accommodate a single family or large group. Many are private and secluded; some have dramatic views of the bluffs, valleys and even waterfalls that are the signature “chill” highlights of this stunning area.
You'll find these and many more options throughout MountainsOfAdventure.com