Cumberland Trail: Black Mountain section

Dogs Leashed

Features Cave · Fall Colors · Geological Significance · River/Creek · Views

Overall, trail is fairly smooth, but there are sections that are rocky and some roots.

This section of the Cumberland Trail starts on the north side of Route 68 and runs parallel to the highway for a couple hundred yards before the road curves away to the south. The trail starts out with some minor rolling terrain, not technical, until the Windless Cave spur trail (cuts off to the left).

Shortly thereafter, the trail begins a steady, though not very steep, ascent toward the summit of Black Mountain. Around mile 2.6, the trail comes to the tent camp site on the right. Continue on to the large rock formations and enjoy the unique geology.

The trail turns to the left at this point, and you'll ascend the rocky bluffs via a set of steps set between a narrow gap between two large rock formations. At the top is Black Mountain Loop Trail.

For this route, I took the right side of the loop (marked with White and Orange) and followed it about 0.5 miles to the trailhead near Black Mountain Road.