This is my most popular day hike and Backpacker Magazine put it in the top 10 backpacking trails in the nation in an earlier issue. The whole trail is 14 miles and best done leisurely as a backpacking trip over 2 or 3 days, camping at Raven Point.

But my most popular day hike is just 4 miles of this with 4 waterfalls, many wild flowers in the spring. Specific sites on the 4-mile day hike include Hanes Hole Falls, Fiery Gizzard Creek, Black Canyon Falls, Chimney Rocks, Sycamore Falls, Blue Hole Falls, huge Hemlock tree, and Cave Spring Rockhouse.

The trail head in Tracy City, Tennessee is 1.5 to 2 hours from Nashville. The hike is 3 to 5 hours depending on length of stops, photo shoots, lunch, etc. I recommend a sack lunch be brought to eat a Sycamore Falls where you can also take a swim if desired. After the hike I usually drive the group to Foster Falls which is at the other end of Fiery Gizzard Trail or about 10 miles south of Tracy City. It can be seen from an overlook near the parking lot or closer with a 1 mile hike to the bottom or to the farside overlook. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Tennessee! As with all waterfalls, spring is the best time of year when there is more water.

We will then be approaching dark on our way back to Nashville and some choose to stop at Cracker Barrel in Manchester or Murfreesboro on the way home.

I have taken children and senior citizens on this hike or mixed ages as seen here along Fiery Gizzard Creek at the bridge. It is a fun hike for everyone!

Sycamore Falls