Fall Creek Falls - Member Hike

Hike Name:	Fall Creek Falls
Country:	United States
State:	Tennessee
Nearby Town:	Pikeville
Rating:
Directions:	Directions From Nashville. Located approximately 115 miles from Nashville. Take I-40 East to Cookeville. Turn right onto Highway 111 South at Exit 288. Follow signs to the North or South park entrance. From Atlanta, take I-75 North to Chattanooga, take I-24 toward Nashville, take Hwy 27 North toward Dayton and follow Highway 111 North to the park entrance on the right.
Total Hike Distance:	7.60 miles
Hike Difficulty:	No Answer
Permit Required:	No
Hike Type:	One-Way, Shuttle Hike
Hike Starts:	Varied
Hike Ends:	Varied
Trails Used:	Numerous
Backcountry Campsites:	No
Backcountry Water Sources:	Streams, Rivers, Springs
Management:	State Park Service
Contact Information:	Fall Creek Falls State Park 2009 Village Camp Road Rt. 3 Box 300 Pikeville , TN 37367-9803 Park Office: 423-881-5298 Inn & Cabin Reservations: 1-800-250-8610 Inn & Cabin Local: 423-881-5241 Camping: 1-800-250-8611
Best Season:
Users:
Road Conditions:	Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads
Hike Summary:	Source: http://tennessee.gov/environment/parks/FallCreekFalls/ Just a lot of different trails you can hike in this area. Many are very short but still worth it. Woodland Trail: ...the major trail leading from the Nature Center to Fall Creek Falls Overlook. Beginning behind the Nature Center, the trail crosses Cane Creek Cascades by way of a swinging bridge, goes up a set of steps and then on to the Fall Creek Falls Overlook-it does have a few up hills along the way. Campground Trail: ...a short connector of the campground to the Woodland Trail. The trail starts in the back of campground "C" near site #177. This important connector makes it possible to originate a hike from your campsite and link it to any of the other trails and their destinations. Gorge Overlook Trail: ....and extension of the Woodland Trail. The trail begins (or ends) .2mi from the Nature Center near the top of the hill on the Woodland Trail. Forking off to the right, it forms a scenic bypass loop to the direct Woodland Trail. The trail passes overlooks of the Cane Creek Falls, two views of Cane Creek Gulf and Fall Creek Falls and then rejoins the Woodland Trail near Fall Creek. Each overlook is worth the extra walk. Turkey Pen Ridge Trail: ...a connector of the Village Area to the Woodland Trail. This important trail makes it possible to originate a hike from the Village Area and link it to any of the other trails and their destinations or to go from any trail to the Village Area.. The trail originates off of the Village road (which leads from the camper check-in to the dam) directly across from the entrance to the village. Park in the Village Area, cross the road and enjoy. The hike is a .4mi stroll on an almost level, shaded path. At the Woodland Trail it is a .3mi-right to the Nature Center or .45mi-left to Fall Creek Falls Overlook. Base of Fall Creek Falls Trail: ...a steep trail to the bottom of the falls. At the Falls Overlook, the trail to the left continues to the plunge pool of Fall Creek Falls. This trail winds through ancient layers of rock while experiencing the cool temperatures and looming trees of a virgin forest as it descends through the Fall Creek Gorge to the base of the Falls and magnificent view of the tumbling waters. It is only .4mi to the base, but then it is a long .4mi back to the top. Be sure and rest, hiking is not a contest. Stay on the trail. Do not shortcut the switchbacks. Piney Falls Trail: ...a pleasant stroll through the center of the Scenic Loop. It begins near the Fall Creek Falls Parking Lot and is accessible from either the Bike Path or the Falls Road. The trail goes though the Loop, crossing several small creeks and then reaches Piney Falls Road after 1.3mi. After crossing the road, the trail bears right and continues to .55mi to the Piney Falls Area. The trail is a part of the Lower Loop Overnight Trail, but is over easy terrain. Note: after arriving at Piney Falls Road (after walking through the loop), it is a short walk (left) along the road to the Bike Path and an easy return to Fall Creek Falls. Milliken's Trail: ...A side trail off the Piney Falls Trail which goes to the overlook. The overlook is a great place to take a break, even though there are no restrooms or water, and the trail is a great way to get there. Follow the Piney Falls Trail for 1mi. Turn right on Millikan's Trail where it is .4mi to the overlook. From the overlook it is 1.5m back to Fall Creek Falls parking lot using the Scenic Loop Drive. Walking along roads is usualy not as much fun, but this is an exception because of the magnificent overlooks. Walking the Loop gives the hiker the opportunity or the excuse to stop at each overlook. Piney Falls Side Trails: ...overlook and bridge trails. In the Piney area there are two very short trails. Beginning at the parking area, the path to the right leads to the Piney Falls overlook and the one to the left goes steeply downhill to the long swinging bridge over Piney Creek. Paw Paw Trail: ...A loop with great views of Cane Creek Gorge. The trail starts at the Nature Center and heads north to cross Rockhouse Creek, climbs a hill, and continues on to striking views of Cane Creek Falls, the Cane Creek Gulf, and Fall Creek Falls. Cable Trail: ...a steep trail to the base of Cane Creek Falls. On the Paw Paw Trail, the trail going uphill to the left immediately after crossing Rockhouse Creek is the Cable Trail. This is a rugged, steep trail, please use the cable. NOTE: See the Cable Trail Information on the map or consult with a Ranger or the Nature Center Staff before walking the Cable Trail! Gilbert Gaul Loop: ...the newest trail in the Park. Park at the gate of Group Camp #2. The trail begins on the left side of the paved road and follows and old dirt road for a level .8mi (stay right-actually straight-at the beginning of the hike where another old road branches off to the left-this is the return). The dirt