The road less traveled is an exciting way to explore the Tennessee Overhill.  You can discover a hidden river gorge from a vintage passenger train, hike into history on an ancient forest path,   or follow the footsteps of John Muir.

HIWASSEE RIVER RAIL ADVENTURES
http://www.tvrail.com/
423-894-8028 or 1-877-510-5765

Passengers step back in time when they ride restored vintage trains alongside the Hiwassee Scenic River, into the Hiwassee Gorge, and over the famous Hiwassee Loop.  A favorite excursion for nature lovers and rail buffs alike.  From April-Novermber, trains carry passengers from the railroad town of Etowah to the famous Hiwassee loop.  On selected dates, daylong excursions run all the way to the copper mining town of Copperhill.  Twenty miles of the corridor is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

NOTE: THE BLUE RIDGE SCENIC RAILWAY offers train rides that run between Blue Ridge, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee and can be reached at 1-800-934-1898 or http://www.brscenic.com/

UNICOI TURNPIKE TRAIL
http://tennesseeoverhill.com/unicoitrail/trailguide.asp
877-510-5765

This auto and pedestrian trail follows an historic trade path that predates written history.  Along the way, you can stop to visit historic sites and museums that reveal the many layers of history that unfolded along this ancient route.  A restored 2 mile section of the original turnpike     allows you to walk in the footsteps of Indians, fur traders, European explores, British soldiers and livestock drovers.  A National Millennium Flagship Trail.  Contact us for a free trail guide or visit   the "heritage Trails" section of our website.

 BENTON MACKAYE TRAIL
http://www.bmta.org/

The nation's newest long distance trail covers over 300 miles through the Appalachian Mountains.  Named for Benton MacKaye, co-founder of the Wilderness Society, and the man whose vision inspired the Appalachian Trail (AT).  The Benton MacKaye Trail in Tennessee more closely follows MacKaye's original plan for the AT.  Several trailheads and four re-supply points are located in the Tennessee Overhill.

 JOHN MUIR TRAIL
877-510-5765

This trail follows the route said to have been taken by Sierra Club founder, John Muir, during his travels from Kentucky to Florida.  It follows the Hiwassee State  Scenic River, providing beautiful views of the river.  The section from Childer's Creek to Big Bend is known for its wide assortment of wildflowers.  Birds and butterflies and plentiful.

 

TANASI TRAIL SYSTEM
www.fs.fed.us/r8/ocoee
877-692-6050

The Tanasi Trail System at the Ocoee Whitewater Center can easily be touted as the premier mountiain  biking   trail system in the Southeast.  It even has a top-of-the-line titanium frame mountain bike named after it.  Along with the incredible beauty of the Cherokee National Forest, the Tanasi has the unique feature of originating from the banks of the Olympic whitewater course at the Ocoee River.  This trail system has something for everyone one from hard core mountain bikers to weekend hikers.