Fort Loudoun Hiking
  • Historic wooden cabins by a lake under a clear blue sky.
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    Trail sign in autumn leaves marks the Rivergate Trail in Tennessee. Sunlit path leads uphill, surrounded by bare trees and grassy patches.

    Hiking at Fort Loudoun  

    There are approximately five miles of moderate trails that loop around the park. Trail maps are available at the park office. 

    Trails

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    • Island Loop Water Trail

      Fort Loudoun State Historic Park
      Distance
      5.40 mi.
      Difficulty
      —
      Surface
      Natural
      Hikers often create this route called the Island Loop by connecting the Ridge Top, Meadow Loop, and Lost Shoe Spur trails. The loop can be started from either the Ridge Top or Meadow Loop trailheads. When the trails come to a merging point, hikers switch to the alternate trail to complete the loop.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      paddle

      Lost Shoe Spur Trail

      Fort Loudoun State Historic Park
      Distance
      0.40 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      This trail is a short spur trail off the Meadow Loop Trail.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Lost Shoe Spur Trail

      Fort Loudoun State Historic Park
      This trail is a short spur trail off the Meadow Loop Trail.
      Distance
      0.40 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 71.70'
      Loss 111.30'
      Grade
      Typical 7.9%
      Max 30.2%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 6.0%
      Max 22.2%
      Tread Width
      Typical 24"
      Minimum 12"
      Surface Type
      Soil 100%
      Obstructions Exist
      Berm: 12 in tall; Tree root: 3 in tall; Tree root: 3 in tall

      Meadow Loop Trail

      Fort Loudoun State Historic Park
      Distance
      2.50 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Beginning at either the First or Second Trailhead, this trail wanders through meadows of native grasses that provide excellent habitat for quail and other birds.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Meadow Loop Trail

      Fort Loudoun State Historic Park
      Beginning at either the First or Second Trailhead, this trail wanders through meadows of native grasses that provide excellent habitat for quail and other birds.
      Distance
      2.50 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 323.00'
      Loss 472.30'
      Grade
      Typical 6.0%
      Max 28.3%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 2.9%
      Max 14.0%
      Tread Width
      Typical 39"
      Minimum 12"
      Surface Type
      Soill 99.7%; Asphalt 0.2%; Wood decking 0.2%
      Obstructions Exist
      Tree: 18 in of tread remaining; Hole: 12 in of tread remaining; Stump: 24 in of tread remaining

      Paved Walkway

      Fort Loudoun State Historic Park
      Distance
      —
      Difficulty
      —
      Surface
      Natural
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Ridge Top Trail

      Fort Loudoun State Historic Park
      Distance
      1.55 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Mixed
      Beautiful views of the mountains and valley, through the meadow and along the river, and then up the ridge. The scenic overlook at the top offers spectacular views of the lake with the Smoky Mountains in the background. This trail can be started at the picnic area or from the main parking lot.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Ridge Top Trail

      Fort Loudoun State Historic Park
      Beautiful views of the mountains and valley, through the meadow and along the river, and then up the ridge. The scenic overlook at the top offers spectacular views of the lake with the Smoky Mountains in the background. This trail can be started at the picnic area or from the main parking lot.
      Distance
      1.55 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Mixed
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 261.00'
      Loss 293.80'
      Grade
      Typical 6.6%
      Max 32.9%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 3.2%
      Max 22.7%
      Tread Width
      Typical 48"
      Minimum 20"
      Surface Type
      Soil 82.2%; Asphalt 10.5%; Gravel 6.3%; Wood decking 0.7%; Stairs 0.3%
      Obstructions Exist
      Step: 7 in tall; Step: 5 in tall; Tree root: 4 in tall

      River Gate Trail

      Fort Loudoun State Historic Park
      Distance
      0.10 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      A short walk around the Fort's bastian and to the river.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      River Gate Trail

      Fort Loudoun State Historic Park
      A short walk around the Fort's bastian and to the river.
      Distance
      0.10 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 11.20'
      Loss 32.00'
      Grade
      Typical 7.1%
      Max 23.0%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 2.6%
      Max 7.9%
      Tread Width
      Typical 24"
      Minimum 12"
      Surface Type
      Soil 37.3%; Gravel 32%
      Obstructions Exist
      Tree root: 4 in tall; Tree root: 3 in tall

    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

    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:
    338 Fort Loudoun Road, Vonore TN, 37885
    1-423-420-2331

    Hours: 
    8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

    No events are scheduled at this time, but there's always more to explore.

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