If you’re getting bored with hiking trails, it may be time to switch it up. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of outdoor adventures in Tennessee; all you need is the time to explore them all. Now that we are turning the corner into summer, our days can be spent near water—my favorite thing about this time of year. There’s one particular paddle trail in Tennessee that’s better than most hikes. No, really! It takes everything you love about your favorite hiking trail and puts you in the water.
Where This Trail Is and What Makes It Unique
We often feature waterfall hiking trails that take you to some of Tennessee’s most beautiful cascades, and this one is no different—except for how you’ll arrive. This paddle trail takes you along the Cane Creek and over to Burgess Falls.
Burgess Falls is one of the most iconic waterfalls in the state. This beauty drops for 136 feet into a massive limestone gorge with 100-200-foot walls. There are several hiking trails at Burgess Falls State Park that will take you to view the falls from above, plus some of the park’s other waterfalls, but to get a view of Burgess Falls from below, you’ll need to take the paddle trail.
While Burgess Falls is located within Burfess Falls State Park, you’ll want to drop in about two miles down the river at the Cane Hollow Recreation Area (pictured above). There’s plenty of parking here, plus it’s an easy slope to drop in your canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. Larger boats can use the paved boat ramp.
Once you drop in, you’ll head upstream, veering right at the Tibbs Hollow Cove fork to stay on the paddle trail. It’s about a two-mile trip to the falls from Cane Hollow.
What You’ll See Along the Way
This is a perfect paddle trail for just about anyone. One of the reasons I love this trail is that you start and end in the same spot. Having to leave a car at the drop-in and another at the take-out locations is a logistical nightmare, and to be honest, I’m more of a spontaneous adventurer than a planner, so I tend to seek out paddle trips just like this one…