We enjoyed beautiful fall color, waterfalls and trails in the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Tennessee in mid-October. Among the beautiful fall foliage, waterfalls and hiking trails of the area, we were able to relax and enjoy nature.
I had only vaguely ever heard about the Cumberland Plateau, but my husband researched it and found a wealth of hiking and photography opportunities for us in the small towns around the South Cumberland State Park. We have not been traveling during the pandemic, and we needed a getaway! My husband could “hear the mountains calling!” I let him schedule and decide everything
We didn’t make it as far as the mountains, but we really loved the Tracy City/Monteagle/Sewanee, Tennessee area we visited. It’s a part of the Cumberland Plateau which is in eastern Tennessee and Kentucky. Chattanooga is close, but we stuck to the charming towns of Monteagle and Sewanee when we weren’t on the trail. We hiked a few trails in the South Cumberland State Park area, with a goal to get waterfall pics at Greeter Falls and Boardtree Falls. Kirby got to hike a big part of the apparently famous Fiery Gizzard Trail, which he said was justifiably notable and he took some great photos.
I was disappointed we were unable to find a t-shirt with the Fiery Gizzard Trail name on it… I mean, what is life without something that says FIERY GIZZARD on it!!???
We stayed in an AirBnB near Tracy City, and it was an upstairs over the garage apartment called The Carriage House. Great place to stay, gorgeous grounds, and the hosts were great. We took the dogs, since they love adventuring, and it was a good place for them, too, with lots of places for exercising, good stuff to see, and even some miniature donkeys on site. The Aussies watched the owners’ border collie expertly work the donkeys, but I don’t think they learned anything.
Charming Sewanee and Monteagle
We visited Sewanee, Tennessee and on a whim stopped at the Natural Bridge there, and it was so worth it. Really amazing, free, and not too hard a walk down to it.
Natural Bridge Sewanee Tennessee
The Mountain Goat Market in Monteagle was so good, we ate there twice for lunch! We had sandwiches and ice cold drinks, which hit the spot after a two-waterfall trail that morning! Killer eats. Eclectic Finds is the catch phrase, and they were right! Really cute market, and I only regret not buying some of the yummy looking desserts.
Spencer, Tennessee and Fall Creek Falls State Park
Our last day we drove north toward Spencer, Tennessee and visited Fall Creek Falls State Park and a Mennonite community. Fall Creek Falls State Park is so gorgeous! Beautiful sights, and well kept. The trails to waterfalls are not for the faint of heart, but they are doable.
The Park is dog friendly and they loved hiking with us, though it was the first time hiking on a leash and they did not love that!(but a lot safer – many potential falls avoided!) They attract a lot of attention! So funny how everyone who meets Rosie(blue merle) gushes about how pretty she is, tells us she has one blue eye (again!), and say how they had, or want an Aussie. Rosie, only loves/obsesses about us and could care less about meeting anyone. Then they look at poor Jack, who is super friendly to everyone, and ask what kind of dog he is!
Fall Creek Falls 
Piney Falls 
Rosie always jumping up onto or into something. 
The dogs not really liking having to be on leash hiking! 
Fall Creek Falls Trail
At Piney Falls overlook 
Annsley came to hike with us one day, with Ferguson, who was a trooper! 
Making sure Kirby doesn’t drop anything 
Beautiful boy Jack 
So tired and leaning on the A/C after hiking
We highly recommend this area for a great getaway! It was easy to social distance but still do a lot and feel like we are heading back to normal. We hit the color just as it was attaining it’s peak, I think.
