Once you turn left, the trail follows a ridge, and then drops off it via switchbacks to reach a junction at 3.2 miles.
For now, turn left - I was planning to eventually return from the right. Enter the woods and reach the start of the loop section at 2.8 miles. The trail turns left from the trailhead and follows the edge of the field and the road. You are now facing a large field and the start of Leatherwood Loop. From here, retrace your steps to East Rim Trailhead, reaching it at 2.6 miles. I doubt the sunset from this overlook can be well seen, though. the view is somewhat limited by growth and trees, but it is still a nice panorama downstream. Leatherwood Ford can be seen from here. Make a short but steep descent and reach a rock outcrop at 1.9 miles, facing downstream. Winter views abound both upstream and downstream. From here, the trail stays mainly flat with a couple short ascents until it begins to approach the rim of the gorge at 1.2 miles. Reach a small pond at 0.4 miles, and take the trail across the pond's dam. Following the road, the trail continues to gradually descend. A building with an unknown to me purpose stands on the right. At 0.1 miles, descend to and cross a gated gravel road. The trail starts across from the parking area and quickly enters thin woods. I decided to do the short trail first, and then get to the main, bigger hike. Sunset Overlook Trail is a relatively short out-and-back stub, 2.6 miles long roundtrip, so you'll be back at the parking area later. You may notice two trails - Sunset Overlook Trail and Leatherwood Loop Trail - leaving the parking area. Following this, drive back to the trailhead and start the hike. The overlook is not as good as Angel Falls Overlook, but it still provides a commanding view of the gorge upstream into an area you won't see throughout most of the hike. A short loop, half-paved, about 0.1 miles long, leads to the overlook. It might be my most favorite overlook on the Cumberland Plateau (that I have visited so far).īefore you start your hike (or after you finish it), I highly recommend driving to East Rim Overlook, located at the end of East Rim Road. Especially worth mentioning is the stunning view from Angel Falls Overlook.
the other hikes focus on specific areas and features, while this one encompassed all of what you would typically see on a hike in the Big South Fork NRA. Combining three popular hikes - Angel Falls Overlook via the John Muir Trail, Leatherwood Ford Loop, and Sunset Overlook Trail - seemed like the best option, and it probably was, since this was my first hike here. Eventually, though, I settled it down a bit by deciding that I would spend as much time as possible in the immediate area of the gorge and the gorge itself. So did the Yahoo Falls area and several trails in the Pickett State Park sector of the NRA. The Yellow Creek Loop brought my attention more than once. It is well worth the additional drive and short walk, perhaps as a post-hike bonus or as a pre-hike leg stretcher.īeing new to the Big South Fork National Recreation Area, it took me a while what would be my best first hike there. Another 0.5 miles will bring you to a turnaround and a short, paved trail to East Rim Overlook. Turn left onto East Rim Road, and follow it for 0.2 miles until the parking area, on the right. Trail Blaze Color(s): Sunset Overlook Trail - Dark wooden squares nailed to trees Leatherwood Loop - Dark wooden squares nailed to trees John Muir Trail - Square with blue head nailed to trees Grand Gap Loop - Squares with bicycle symbol nailed to treesīest Season(s) to Hike: Year-round possibly winter to be able to see Angel Falls from Angel Falls Overlookĭirections : From Oneida, TN: Follow TN State Route 297 West for 9.5 miles until East Rim Road. Scenic Views: Angel Falls Overlook - 10+ stars East Rim Overlook - 8 stars Sunset Overlook - 5 stars Leatherwood Ford Overlook - 4 stars Pros: Many great vistas of Big South Fork River Gorge good campsites near Leatherwood Ford numerous small water features after periods of rainĬons: Pedestrian bridge is out at Leatherwood Ford somewhat dangerous (although fun if treated with care) stretches of trail below Angel Falls Overlook Type of Hike: Out-and-Back with Small Loop
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