Virgin Falls, TN State Natural Area - 9 mile strenuous in/out Hike

Saturday, January 3, 2026, 8:30 a.m. central

We'll descend Virgin Falls Trail in middle Tennessee with a stop at Martha’s Pretty Point Overlook, Big Branch Falls and cave, Sheep Cave and falls, and Virgin Falls—a 110-foot spectacular waterfall that exits a cave and plummets off a cliff and disappears! We will return via the main trail back up to the parking lot. https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/na-natural-areas/natural-areas-middle-region/middle-region/na-na-virgin-falls.html

Activity Time: Approximately 5-8 hours of hike time. Difficult, uphill all the way out.

Total Weekend Mileage: 9-10 miles

Hike Difficulty Rating: Strenuous. There is significant elevation gain and loss of ~900 feet from trailhead to gorge, intermittent rocky terrain, and a possible 'high' water crossing to negotiate.

Please bring PLENTY of WATER, snacks, lunch, and the 10 essentials to bring on every hike. The 10 Essentials of Hiking - American Hiking Society Dress in layers. Headlight required.

6:00 a.m. central
Carpool from Walmart in Glasgow, 2345 Happy Valley Road, Glasgow, KY. Please indicate in the comments if you plan to meet in Glasgow, otherwise, we won't stop there!!!!

8:30 a.m. central
Or meet us at the trailhead, 2080 Scotts Gulf Road, Sparta, TN.

RSVP with integrity. If you RSVP'D "Yes" and discover you cannot go, please change your RSVP to "No" so others aren't standing around the parking waiting on you.

Disclaimer: Meetup organizers/leaders are not guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.