Laurel Creek Trail
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Trail Overview[edit]
Short rails-to-trails conversion along Laurel Creek/Highway TN91.
How to get there[edit]
From Kingsport, TN:
- Take I-81 north to Exit 19 for US-58 towards Damascus.
- Continue through Damascus.
- Take right (south) when VA-91 and US-58 split.
- Proceed back into Tennessee to Laurel Bloomery.
- Roughly 1.3 miles inside Tennessee, the formal parking lot will be on right.
From Mountain City, TN:
- Proceed north on TN 91 for 9.4 miles to Laurel Bloomery.
- The formal parking lot will be on your left.
Route Description[edit]
Currently a double in-and-out as the parking lot is within the converted rails-to-trail section. Specific distances need to be measured for this wiki.
Nearby is one of the blue-blazed access points for the Iron Mountain Trail, but a VERY steep climb.
Typical Conditions[edit]
Trail is a gravel path of the former railroad grade.
Fees, Permits, etc.[edit]
Located in Watauga Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest. Office number is (423) 735-1500. No fee to hike the trail, but state fishing regulations apply to Laurel Creek.
After the Hike[edit]
Stop in Damascus for ice cream.
Misc. Information[edit]
This trail conversion opened in Fall 2014. Long-term plans are to connect in Damascus with the other bike trail systems.