Chilhowee, TN is just outside of the Padj Space realm. However, it's worth mentioning as it's just over the Southwestern, North Carolina border! In Chilhowee, there is a little something for everybody! Lot's of trails. Easy to Moderate for hiking, trail running and mountain biking. There is also a small lake with a beachfront for swimming, paddling, and fishing. This place has great day use spaces for a picnic or planning your next adventure. And there is a seasonal USFS campground with limited RV hookups March-November. Make your reservation ahead of time.
SAFETY
This area requires you to drive a paved yet harrowing road with no shoulders and few turn arounds for 7 miles off Hwy 64 just before the ranger station at Parksville Lake, TN. The closest hospital is Bradley Medical Center is located in Cleveland, TN. Bradley County is the 911 EMS service in the area. You'll need to bring your own food. There are no stores or concessions in the area. Cell service is limited to absent in much of this area. Print a map.
OVERVIEW
This area is a hidden gem. The trails overall are great for new and intermediate mountain bikers. There is an iconic waterfall a short hike from the campground area - "Benton Falls". The camping is accessible to all of the recreation in this little remote but popular spot. The USFS keeps the place well maintained. You can make a day trip here or stay a while! The Hiawassee and Ocoee rivers are also near by if you need to get your whitewater on!
ROUTES
The Clemmer trail is the cornerstone trail of the area. You can ride it from either direction. But it seems that most folks choose to climb the logging road/old small guage railroad grade up and over the mountain about 1000' of climbing. This is a pretty remote trail with some great mountain views and consistent grade. There are few signs or markers along the way. Just keep climbing what looks like a railroad grade when you find intersections. You'll end up at Benton Falls, just outside the Chilhowee Recreation area.
Once you get over into the recreation area the trails are marked with signs and colored blazes. The trails here have slickrock, boulders and tight single track. It seems that you can ride/hike/run all of this in any combination or direction you choose. Notable trails here include the flowy Azalea, Slick Rock Naked Widow Loop, Slick Rock Laurel Loop, and Slick Rock Hancock Loops. Parts of the Clear Creek and Rim Rock are more technical than the other trails.
HISTORY
This area was home to the Overhill Cherokee. Nancy Ward, "Nanyehi", beloved woman and political leader of the Cherokee, and her son Fivekiller are buried here. She predicted the trail of tears.
There is also a stone etched marker for confederate soldiers killed in a fight on Chilhowee mountain for the Civil War buffs.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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