History Hike: Old Sugarlands Trail to Cherokee Orchard Road (Out & Back)

The Brown Book describes the Old Sugarlands Trail as an “undiscovered treasure, especially for history buffs” that receives relatively light use. For this hike, we’ll follow the left bank of the river where the roar of the river eliminates noise from the highway close by. Along what used to be State Hwy 71 we will pass an old rock quarry, old rock walls and the remains of an old CCC camp. The trail starts a gradual ascent before reaching Cherokee Orchard Road, our turnaround point.
* Total round-trip hike distance is 8.8 miles with 1300 ft total elevation gain; rated on the easy side of Moderate.
* For more information and to register for this event, go to the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club website HERE.
* Our Moderate hikes are: 5-10 miles and/or elevation change of 1000-1800', on-trail hiking. Hikers should be regularly hiking 5+ miles with 400-500 feet of continuous elevation gain over a mile, at a 2.0-2.5 mph pace.