TVA features new web post on 137 miles of public trails

KNOXVILLE -- At the height of the fall outdoor recreation season, the Tennessee Valley Authority has posted a new web page listing dozens of trails for hiking, biking and other activities across the region.

Foster Falls is one of the most scenic, wildest areas in Tennessee. Located in the Foster Falls Recreation Area, it is operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority and located near Tracy City, Tennessee. This recreation area provides a safe, and beautiful base for exploring the south end of the Cumberland Plateau. Foster Falls is an awesome 60-foot waterfall plunging into a deep pool in the center of the 178-acre TVA Small Wild Area. Mountain laurel, azaleas, and hemlocks grow above the falls, along the sandstone overlook, and in the gorge below. An easy hike will take you to the top of the falls. From there a trail will take you over the river on the suspension bridge pictured abovce to the base of the falls. (Image provided by TVA)

The TVA Trails website provides information about more than 137 miles of public trails along TVA reservoirs and on TVA-owned land in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

"These trails belong to everyone, and we want to make sure people know what is available to them," said Clay Guerry, TVA natural resources management specialist.

Forty-four miles of trails are designated as National Recreation Trails by the U.S. Department of Interior. Trails listed on the web page include popular areas like Raccoon Mountain near Chattanooga, Guntersville Reservoir in north Alabama and Norris and Tellico reservoirs in east Tennessee.

Most of the listings provide the length of the trail and the difficulty rating. Many also feature maps that can be downloaded and printed. Trail maps will be posted soon at all the trail heads.

"Many of these trails have been around for decades, but this is the first time the information has been available in one place," Guerry said.

The web page is available at www.tva.gov/river/recreation. Additional information on TVA trails and other public recreation opportunities is available through the TVA Environmental Information Center at 1-800-882-5263

Published October 20, 2012