Fiery Gizzard Hiking

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    Autumn forest stream with colorful leaves and rocks.

    Hiking at Fiery Gizzard

    Fiery Gizzard State Park provides over 20 miles of hiking trails located at twelve different trailheads. Offering peaceful walks through a meadow full of wildflowers, trips back in time to a coal mining area, and breathtaking overlooks of the Cumberland Plateau, Fiery Gizzard is a wondrous hiking destination featuring waterfalls, vistas, historical areas, and some with old-growth trees. 

    The Fiery Gizzard Trails contain 12.80 miles of hiking from the North Trailhead to the South Trailhead, with a few connected trails, leading to several waterfalls and scenic overlooks. Don’t forget your bathing suit to take a dip in the refreshing Sycamore Falls swimming hole! 

    Mountain bikes are not allowed on the trails.

    Trails

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    • Climbers Access Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      Distance
      0.80 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      Route
      One-Way
      This 0.80-mile hike takes you along a beautiful cliff line and along the base of towering bluff walls, connecting to the Foster Falls and Father Adamz Campgrounds. The picturesque Foster Falls is located on this hike!
      Availability
      Open
      Use
      Hiking

      Coke Oven Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      Distance
      0.40 mi.
      Difficulty
      —
      Surface
      Natural
      Route
      Loop
      Lone Rock Trail, Coke Oven Trail, and Ridge Trail combine to create a 2.3-mile round-trip hike circling the Historical Grundy Lakes. Set time aside to explore the coke ovens and to enjoy the views of the lakes in this historical area. Ask a desk attendant for a brochure on the ovens.
      Availability
      Open
      Use
      Hiking

      Denny Cove Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      Distance
      0.45 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Route
      One-Way
      This 0.45-mile trail section begins at the trailhead leading to the Denny Overlook. Continue the hike along the Denny East or Denny West trails.
      Availability
      Open
      Use
      Hiking

      Denny Cove Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      This 0.45-mile trail section begins at the trailhead leading to the Denny Overlook. Continue the hike along the Denny East or Denny West trails.
      Distance
      0.45 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Use
      Hiking
      Route
      One-Way
      Elevation
      Gain 2.60'
      Loss 69.20'
      Grade
      Typical 3.3%
      Max 19.5%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 1.6%
      Max 5.5%
      Tread Width
      Typical 37"
      Minimum 12"
      Surface Type
      Soil 98.5%; Gravel 1.5%
      Obstructions Exist
      Rock step: 14 in tall; Large rocks: 6 in tall; Tree stump: 24 in tread remaining

      Denny East Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      Distance
      0.80 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Route
      One-Way
      This 0.80-mile trail features climbing opportunities along the ridges of Denny Cove. 
      Availability
      Open
      Use
      Hiking

      Denny Falls Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      Distance
      1.00 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Route
      One-Way
      The Denny Falls Trail is a 1.00-mile one way distance, out-and-back that leads to Denny Falls, one of the best views in the park.
      Availability
      Open
      Use
      Hiking

      Denny Falls Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      The Denny Falls Trail is a 1.00-mile one way distance, out-and-back that leads to Denny Falls, one of the best views in the park.
      Distance
      1.00 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Use
      Hiking
      Route
      One-Way
      Elevation
      Gain 181.70'
      Loss 213.90'
      Grade
      Typical 7.1%
      Max 27.0%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 3.5%
      Max 26.1%
      Tread Width
      Typical 25"
      Minimum 12"
      Surface Type
      Soil 89.3%; Large rock 10%; Wood decking 0.7%
      Obstructions Exist
      Rock steps: 16 in tall; Tree: 18 in tread remaining; Tree trunk: 12 in tread remaining

      Denny West Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      Distance
      0.25 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Route
      One-Way
      This 0.25-mile trail leads hikers from just past the Denny Overlook to the Waterfall Trail and features climbing opportunities.
      Availability
      Open
      Use
      Hiking

      Denny West Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      This 0.25-mile trail leads hikers from just past the Denny Overlook to the Waterfall Trail and features climbing opportunities.
      Distance
      0.25 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Use
      Hiking
      Route
      One-Way
      Elevation
      Gain 31.90'
      Loss 8.10'
      Grade
      Typical 5.7%
      Max 19.2%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 2.6%
      Max 7.6%
      Tread Width
      Typical 30"
      Minimum 12"
      Surface Type
      Soil 86.1%; Large rock 13.9%
      Obstructions Exist
      Large rock: 9 in tall; Tree trunk: 18 in tread remaining; Rock: 6 in tall

      Dog Hole Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      Distance
      2.85 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      Route
      One-Way
      A moderate, 2.85-mile hike that features scenic views such as the Werner Point Overlook and a short path to Yellow Pine Falls. Don't forget your bathing suit to take a dip in the refreshing Sycamore Falls swimming hole!
      Availability
      Open
      Use
      Hiking

      Fiery Gizzard Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      Distance
      12.80 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Route
      One-Way
      The Fiery Gizzard Trail contains 12.80 miles of hiking from the North Trailhead to the South Trailhead, with a few connected trails, leading to several waterfalls and scenic overlooks. Don’t forget your bathing suit to take a dip in the refreshing Sycamore Falls swimming hole! 
      Availability
      Open
      Use
      Hiking

      Grundy Forest Day Loop Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      Distance
      2.00 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      Route
      Loop
      This moderate 2-mile round-trip hike will take you past multiple waterfalls, a historic CCC area, and plenty of enjoyable swimming holes.
      Availability
      Open
      Use
      Hiking

    • Lone Rock Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      Distance
      0.95 mi.
      Difficulty
      Easy
      Surface
      Natural
      Route
      One-Way
      An easy 2.3-mile round-trip hike circling the Grundy Lakes. Set time aside to explore the coke ovens and enjoy the views of the lakes in this historical area. Ask a desk attendant for a brochure on the ovens.
      Availability
      Open
      Use
      Hiking

      Meadow Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      Distance
      0.80 mi.
      Difficulty
      Easy
      Surface
      Mulch
      Route
      Loop
      1-mile easy, round-trip hike with views of wildflowers, wildlife, a pond, and berries; can you identify what the trail used to be before it was a park? Ask a Ranger for the answer!
      Availability
      Open
      Use
      Hiking

      Meadow Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      1-mile easy, round-trip hike with views of wildflowers, wildlife, a pond, and berries; can you identify what the trail used to be before it was a park? Ask a Ranger for the answer!
      Distance
      0.80 mi.
      Difficulty
      Easy
      Surface
      Mulch
      Use
      Hiking
      Route
      Loop
      Elevation
      Gain 68.10'
      Loss 72.20'
      Grade
      Typical 2.9%
      Max 13.4%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 3.0%
      Max 11.1%
      Tread Width
      Typical 82"
      Minimum 48"
      Surface Type
      Soil 86.4%; Gravel 6.8%; Mulch 6.7%
      Obstructions Exist
      Step: 2 in tall; Dip: 48 in tread remaining; Tree root: 3 in tall

      Ridge Trail

      Fiery Gizzard State Park
      Distance
      0.20 mi.
      Difficulty
      —
      Surface
      Natural
      Route
      One-Way
      Lone Rock Trail, Coke Oven Tail, and Ridge Trail combine to create a 2.3-mile round-trip hike circling the Historical Grundy Lakes. Set time aside to explore the coke ovens and to enjoy the views of the lakes in this historical area. Ask a desk attendant for a brochure on the ovens.
      Availability
      Open
      Use
      Hiking

    Trail Definitions

    • Cross Slope 

      Describes the degree of incline from one side of the trail path to the other; measured as a percentage. Cross slope aids in water drainage and impacts the overall trail stability.   

    • Grade  

      Describes the rise in elevation over a horizontal distance on the trail; measured as a percentage.  Higher percentages represent a steeper grade indicating a more challenging ascent or descent for hikers.    

    • Standard Ramp Grade

      Serves as a reference guide for the grade of the trail.  Standard Ramp Grade is 8.3% across all trail assessments.  

    • Surface 

      A characteristic of the trail expressed in terms of material type, grading, compaction, and roughness of the path. Possible surface types include soil, gravel, paved, and mulch.   

    • Tread Width    

      Represents the horizontal distance from one edge of the trail path to the other; measurements can vary.  Tread width helps to determine the amount of space a hiker has to pass through. Obstacles on the trail can alter the remaining tread width.   

    • Trail Types: Loop

      Trail returns at or near the point from which you started. 

    • Trail Types: Network 

      Offers multiple route options within one trail, and each route is connected

    • Trail Types: Out and Back

      This type of trail travels out to an endpoint where hikers turn around and travel back to the starting point.   

    • Trail Types: Stacked Loop

      A loop trail contained completely within another trail.   

    Learn More About Trail Accessibility Information

    Need a Map?

    Explore our collection of printable and digital trail maps, organized by park. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or paddling, you’ll find the resources you need to navigate confidently.

     

    Find a Park Map

    Discover More at Fiery Gizzard

    Visitor Center Gift Shop

    The Visitor Center Gift Shop is the perfect place to pick up a map, learn about the park, or find a souvenir. You’ll find an assortment of apparel and keepsakes to remember your trip to the park.

    Address: 
    11745 US 41, Monteagle TN, 37356
    1-931-924-2980

    Hours:
    Seasonal. Please call for more information.

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