Cumberland Trail — A Walk Through Tennessee’s Hidden Wilderness

This Cumberland Trail Collection links two of the most scenic sections of the route, running 96 miles from Prentice Cooper State Forest near Chattanooga to Laurel–Snow State Forest near Dayton. While it doesn’t cover the full 200-mile Cumberland Trail, it offers a well-paced journey through gorges, creeks, waterfalls, and plateau forests. The trail is still being completed by dedicated volunteers, so some road walking is unavoidable, and the route is divided into five stages following the most continuous sections. A missing segment beyond Laurel–Snow prevents a full end-to-end hike, but with a local shuttle or car drop, it’s possible to continue beyond this point.

The Cumberland Trail can be a demanding hike, with frequent ups and downs and rocky, root-filled technical sections, but you’ll be stepping into a journey that only a few commit to, with the sounds of the forest as your constant companion. It’s best suited for hikers with multi-day experience who are comfortable covering technical terrain in areas without facilities. Overnight stays are flexible, with designated campsites along the route, but you’ll also need to include Airbnbs or motels. Dispersed camping is restricted along much of the trail, and designated campsites can be spaced far apart, so planning how to move from one overnight spot to the next is essential. Most campsites are located near creeks and usually require a free or low-cost reservation through Tennessee State Parks. I planned this Collection as an ambitious five-day trip, but you can break the stages into two or more days to allow more time to enjoy the trail.

Resupply options are limited on the trail itself, but you’ll pass through a few small towns where you can restock. Soddy-Daisy, Graysville, and Dayton are the most practical places to find food, water, and basic supplies. This makes it possible to travel light, carrying food for only two or three days at a time. Water is generally plentiful thanks to the many creeks and streams, but even when sources look pristine, it’s important to always filter, as residential areas are never too far from the watershed.

The best time to hike the Cumberland Trail is in spring or fall. You just need to decide whether you prefer a green, lush landscape with wildflowers and cooler temperatures from March to May, or crisp air and colorful forests from September to November. Summer can be hot, humid, and buggy, while winter hikes are possible but may bring cold, wet conditions and icy sections on exposed rock.

No special permits are required to hike the route itself, but overnight stays may require reservations depending on where you camp. You can find updated information at cumberlandtrail.org. Cell service is unreliable once you leave road crossings, so downloading your komoot maps in advance is essential, especially as there are multiple trail intersections and some sections can be lightly overgrown.

Overall, this section of the Cumberland Trail offers something that many popular long-distance routes no longer do: true solitude. Long stretches where it’s just you, the forest, and the sound of birds and flowing water. Take the opportunity to slow your pace and fully embrace the journey.