Fort Loudoun Hiking

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

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.