Sewanee: Trails, Views and Culture

Explore Sewanee through a variety of interests: extensive trails, short walks, scenic views and cultural sites. If you’re planning a hotel stay, these differences can help you decide how you’d like to spend your time in the area.

Trails and Outdoor Activities

The Domain includes more than 65 miles of hiking trails and fire lanes. They are open for hiking and mountain biking during the day; horseback riding is permitted for authorized riders. Since specific access rules may change, check the latest information before setting out.

The Perimeter Trail is a 20-mile loop with varying levels of difficulty. In Sewanee Village, one section follows the Mountain Goat Trail, a regional Rails-to-Trails project. The paved Mountain Goat Trail follows a disused railway line; the bike ride to Monteagle is six miles. The more than 65 miles refer to hiking trails and fire lanes, while the Perimeter Trail is a loop and the six miles refer to a bike ride.

For scenic views, consider other trail destinations: Point Disappointment offers a view of nearly all of Lost Cove. A short trail leads to Memorial Cross, a prominent landmark with sweeping views over the cliffs. The trails described therefore differ not only in length, but also in whether the focus is a loop, a bike ride or a viewpoint.

Natural Areas and Views

Shakerag Hollow is a wooded area just outside Green’s View that has remained nearly untouched. Abbo’s Alley offers a walk along a stream, past bridges and a wooden pavilion, with a sunken labyrinth. This places a wooded area alongside a walking path with several designed features as distinct nature experiences.

Lake Cheston is also worth considering when planning your trip if you’ll be using a non-motorized boat: vehicles can access the lake for launching such boats. From Cosby Lane, turn right at the “service vehicles and boat unloading” sign. Access procedures may be subject to local rules, so check the latest information before driving there.

Culture and Events

All Saints’ Chapel is open daily for personal prayer and quiet reflection. On weekdays, a designated hour of silence is held at midday. Services in the Episcopal tradition are also held in the chapel during the week. Times may change, so check the current schedule before visiting.

A recurring event is the annual Lessons and Carols service at All Saints’ Chapel. It regularly brings up to 3,000 people to campus each year; dates and attendance may vary. The University Art Gallery presents four to five exhibitions each academic year. As exhibition plans may change, check the latest information before visiting.

The history of the University of the South also includes ATO Spring, sometimes still called Otey Spring: the spring has played an important role in the university’s history since its founding. The Sewanee Fire Lookout Tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934 and is no longer used for fire observation. These historical connections add two distinct chapters in Sewanee’s history to its present-day trail and cultural offerings.

When searching for a hotel in Sewanee, you can narrow your focus: is your trip mainly about longer trails and cycling, short walks and viewpoints, or cultural sites and events? The offerings described here provide different starting points without assuming a single itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Decherd

For the broader travel overview: Franklin County.