There are several good
waterfalls here along the Caney Fork River upstream from Great Falls Lake.
This is all on private property but access is permitted. The trailhead is on
Scott's Gulf Road which is at the extreme eastern end of White County. The
trail descends to the meets Fork River Gorge providing access to Big Branch
Falls, Big Laurel Falls and Virgin Falls. Expect to take seven to eight hours
for the round trip. The trail is moderate to difficult and good hiking boots
are strongly recommended. Despite the challenges, it is an absolute pleasure
to walk.
Virgin Falls is the
'icing on the cake'; like a giant fire hydrant cooling the kids on a hot
summer day, it spews a stream of water from a cave near the top of the cliff.
This stream plunges 110 feet only to disappear in another cave at the bottom.
If you're eastbound on
I-40, take exit 288 and follow TN-111 south to US-70;
turn right on US-70 at Sparta. Turn left and follow US-70 to the junction of
Eastland Road (about 11 miles). Turn right on Eastland. (skip the next
paragraph)
If you're westbound on
I-40, take exit 322 and follow TN-101 south (toward Crossville) to the
junction of US-70; turn right on US-70 and proceed west
(toward Sparta), through Pleasant Hill, to the junction of Eastland Road
(about 6 miles from Pleasant Hill). Turn left on Eastland.
Follow Eastland Road about
6 miles to Scott's Gulf Road. Turn right (south) and continue another 2 miles
to the parking area. There are several trails leading from the parking lot;
the trail to the falls is designated 'Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness Trail'.
(Note: when we were last there, Eastland Road was gravel but we were told it
was "soon to be black-topped".)
More information:
