Sgt. York Hiking | Tennessee State Parks

A narrow dirt path winds through a lush, green forest. Trees with dense foliage line the path, creating a serene and immersive natural scene.

Hiking at Sgt. Alvin C. York

The park has multiple hiking paths with varying lengths for visitors to enjoy.

Homestead Loop: The Homestead Loop encompasses the York Homestead and features sweeping views of the York Home, the York Gristmill, and the surrounding valley. The Trench Trail intersects the Homestead Loop and allows visitors to view a World War I (WWI) replica trench.

Burial Site Directions: The Sgt. York burial site is currently only accessible via a driving route. Follow U.S. Route 127 to the Wolf River Loop Road.

Swinging Bridge: The Swinging Bridge is unavailable at this time.

Trails

Homestead Trail

Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park

Distance

1.00 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Mixed

The Homestead Loop encompasses the York Homestead and features sweeping views of the York Home, the York Gristmill, and the surrounding valley.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Homestead Trail

Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park

The Homestead Loop encompasses the York Homestead and features sweeping views of the York Home, the York Gristmill, and the surrounding valley.

Distance

1.00 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Mixed

Allowed

Hiking

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 47.80'

Loss 43.20'

Grade

Typical 2.3%

Max 11.6%

Cross Slope

Typical 2.2%

Max 8.7%

Tread Width

Typical 65"

Minimum 48"

Surface Type

Mowed grass 60.1%; Asphalt 20.3%; Brick pavers 7.9%; Concrete 6.9%; Gravel 3.4%; Sand 1.4%

Obstructions Exist

No obstructions present

Trench Trail

Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park

Distance

0.15 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Mixed

The Trench Trail intersects the Homestead Loop and allows visitors to view a World War 1 replica trench.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Trench Trail

Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park

The Trench Trail intersects the Homestead Loop and allows visitors to view a World War 1 replica trench.

Distance

0.15 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Mixed

Allowed

Hiking

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 3.40'

Loss 14.50'

Grade

Typical 2.4%

Max 11.7%

Cross Slope

Typical 2.7%

Max 7.2%

Tread Width

Typical 53"

Minimum 20"

Surface Type

Mowed grass 67.7%; Wood decking 32.3%

Obstructions Exist

Step: 5 in tall; Step: 3 in tall; Step: 2 in tall

Yellow Doors Trail

Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park

Distance

—

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
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.