You Can See for Miles and Miles and Miles...
To paraphrase the 1967 classic by The Who: in the wintertime, the overlooks along Tennessee’s South Cumberland trails provide views that literally extend for “miles and miles and miles...” Check out some of our favorites...
To paraphrase the 1967 classic by The Who: In the wintertime, the overlooks along Tennessee’s South Cumberland trails provide views that literally extend for “miles and miles and miles...” Here are a few of our favorites (in no particular order):
Head of the Crow State Park
Sherwood Loop trail in the new Head of the Crow State Park has gorgeous vistas along much of the easy 3-mile hike in winter. Tom Pack Hollow is the longest view on the South Cumberland, including the town of Decherd, about 13 miles away. On the same trail, the Crow Creek overlook will treat you to multiple ridge-lines, extending all the way to northern Alabama. Sit quietly on the stone bench and you’re likely to hear the lonesome call of a train’s horn, as it emerges from the Cumberland Mountain Tunnel, out of sight and off to your right.
This trail also includes a small natural bridge that makes a great photo-op! (Not to be mistaken for another spectacular natural bridge in Head of the Crow that's accessible directly from the parking lot!)
And while you're there, check out all that nearby Sewanee has to offer, including the nation's most beautiful college campus, the University of the South.
Fiery Gizzard State Park
The namesake of Fiery Gizzard State Park (formerly South Cumberland State Park) is rated by Backpacker Magazine as one of the nation's top hiking trails. Fortunately, you won't need a backpack to take in two spectacular overlooks of Foster Falls at the south end of the Fiery Gizzard Trail. If you're up for a strenuous but worthwhile rock-scramble to its base, you can enjoy another gorgeous perspective of the falls.
More adventurous hikers will also want to check out Raven Point, located near the north end of the Fiery Gizzard Trail. Part way around the 3-mile Grundy Forest Loop Trail you can cross a bridge over Little Fiery Gizzard Creek and continue another 3.5 miles to Raven Point with its 270-degree view of the pristine Fiery Gizzard Gorge. In the wintertime, you’re more likely to hear the roar of Fiery Gizzard Creek below, when winter rains “juice up” the area’s many waterways.
Along with one or both of these hikes, you'll want to check out food and lodging options in Tracy City.
Savage Gulf State Park
About one mile from the Savage Gulf West Trailhead, on the Greeter Trail, you’ll come to a 270-
degree panoramic overlook of Big Creek Gulf. This dramatic overlook is especially spectacular
on a slightly foggy morning, as the fog rises from Big Creek in the valley below, creating ghostly
wisps of air, dancing against the endless acres of hardwood and evergreen forests.
From the Savage Gulf North Trailhead, take the mile-long Stone Door Trail. Whether you choose
the “short version” and stop at wood deck, atop the Laurel Gulf Overlook, or continue on out to
the Stone Door Overlook, the views of Savage Gulf are breathtaking and beautiful, no matter the
weather. If you’re lucky enough to be there on a blue-sky morning following an overnight snow,
you’re in for an extra-special and majestic treat.
Savage Gulf is a fairly remote area, so you'll want to plan for food and/or lodging around Altamont or Beersheba Springs.