Hiking & Trails
Make Grundy Day Loop the heart of your trip. Explore the adventure, plan your day, then find a nearby basecamp.
Tracy City, TN· Sequatchie / Foster Falls
Shorter South Cumberland / Fiery Gizzard hike with creek, cascades, and forest.
Plan your visit
Shorter South Cumberland / Fiery Gizzard hike with creek, cascades, and forest. Here's the quick version — when to go, how long to plan, what it costs and how to fit it into a full day near Tracy City.
Morning
Arrive early at Grundy Day Loop — easier parking, cooler temps and softer light.
Midday
Head to Foster Falls / Climbers Loop (about 7 straight-line miles away; check directions for the drive).
See this stop →Afternoon
Add Foster Falls (about 7 mi away) before dinner.
See this stop →Evening
Dinner in Tracy City, then back to a stay close by so tomorrow starts without a long drive.
Distances are straight-line estimates, not driving routes. Confirm directions and hours before traveling.
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Stay Near travel guide
Updated November 2026 · 4 min read
The Grundy Day Loop is a two-mile circuit that serves as the perfect introduction to the rugged beauty of the South Cumberland State Park. Located at the Grundy Forest Trailhead in Tracy City, Tennessee, this trail offers a condensed version of the famous Fiery Gizzard landscape without the grueling mileage or elevation gain of the longer treks.
The Grundy Day Loop is categorized as an easy hike, but don't let that fool you into thinking it is a paved sidewalk. You will navigate a natural forest floor with plenty of roots, rocks, and wooden bridges. The trail is well-marked with white blazes, winding through a deep gorge filled with moss-covered boulders and towering sandstone cliffs.
The highlight for many is the water. You will pass several cascades and deep swimming holes that stay cool even in the height of summer. One of the most iconic spots is Hanes Hole Falls, a picturesque drop into a wide pool. The trail also takes you past the 'Cave Spring,' a natural rock shelter that feels like a scene from a fantasy novel.
While the trail is open year-round, spring through fall offers the most vibrant scenery. Spring brings a rush of water to the cascades and a carpet of wildflowers across the forest floor. Summer is popular for those looking to dip their toes in the creek to escape the Tennessee heat.
Fall is perhaps the most spectacular time for a visit. The hardwoods of the Cumberland Plateau typically begin their transformation in mid-to-late October. During this window, the deep greens of the hemlocks contrast beautifully with the fiery oranges and yellows of the maples and oaks. Winter offers its own stark beauty, especially when ice formations begin to cling to the rock walls, but hikers should be wary of slippery conditions on the bridges.
The Grundy Forest Trailhead serves as the gateway for both this loop and the much longer Fiery Gizzard Trail. Because of this, the parking lot can fill up quickly on weekend mornings. We recommend arriving before 10:00 AM to secure a spot. There are restrooms and a picnic pavilion located at the trailhead for your convenience.
Even though the hike is short, wear sturdy footwear with good traction; the rocks near the creek can be incredibly slick. Bring water and a light snack, and always carry out what you carry in. Cell service can be spotty in the gorge, so it is a good idea to download an offline map of the South Cumberland State Park area before you arrive.
Most hikers complete the Grundy Day Loop in about 1 to 1.5 hours at a steady pace. However, if you enjoy photography or want to spend time by the water, plan for 2 to 3 hours.
A perfect day in Tracy City might look like this: Start your morning with a coffee at a local cafe before heading to the Grundy Forest Trailhead by 9:30 AM. Spend two hours exploring the loop, making sure to stop at the Blue Hole for photos. Afterward, head back into town for lunch at a local bakery or deli. In the afternoon, you can drive to a nearby overlook or visit another short trail to round out your mountain experience.
If you have more energy after your hike, there are several other incredible things to do near Grundy Day Loop within the South Cumberland system. For those who want more mileage, the Fiery Gizzard Trail: Grundy to Raven Point offers a much more strenuous challenge with a breathtaking overlook.
A short drive away is Foster Falls, one of the most iconic waterfalls in the state. You can view it from the top or take the Foster Falls / Climbers Loop to reach the base. Nearby Denny Cove Trail is a favorite for rock climbers and those seeking a less-crowded path to a hidden waterfall. For a different perspective of the plateau, the Foster Falls area also offers world-class climbing routes for those with the proper gear and experience.
The trailhead is located at the end of Fiery Gizzard Road in Tracy City, TN. If you are coming from Chattanooga or Nashville, the drive takes you up the Cumberland Plateau via I-24. The ascent offers dramatic views of the surrounding valleys.
For a more scenic route, consider taking Highway 41 (the Dixie Highway) which winds through small mountain towns and offers a slower, more nostalgic look at the region. The stretch between Monteagle and Tracy City is particularly charming, lined with dense forests and glimpses of historic plateau architecture.
When looking for where to stay near Grundy Day Loop, your best bet is to find a mountain cabin or a cozy cottage in Tracy City or the neighboring town of Monteagle. Staying locally allows you to beat the crowds to the trailhead and enjoy the quiet, starry nights the plateau is known for.
We recommend choosing a stay based on its drive time to the specific trailheads you want to visit. Many of the best properties are tucked away on private wooded lots. For the best experience and the most transparent pricing, look for local hosts and try to book direct through their own websites. This often provides a more personal touch and ensures more of your travel budget stays within the local mountain community.
Yes, dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash at all times to protect the local wildlife and ensure the safety of other hikers.
No, access to the Grundy Forest Trailhead and the South Cumberland State Park trails is currently free of charge.
Yes, there are several popular swimming holes along the loop, such as Hanes Hole and the Blue Hole, though the water remains quite cold year-round.
Yes, it is considered family-friendly, though parents should keep a close eye on children near the creek and rocky overlooks.
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Travel guide
Shorter South Cumberland / Fiery Gizzard hike with creek, cascades, and forest. Difficulty: Easy.
Travelers come to Grundy Day Loop for shorter south cumberland / fiery gizzard hike with creek, cascades, and forest.. Spring through fall is the most popular window, but the experience rewards visits across multiple seasons. It's a strong family pick — accessible for most ages and easy to combine with other stops nearby. Photographers favor early light and quieter weekday mornings, and the location pairs naturally with other hiking & trails stops in the region.
Within an easy drive you'll find Fiery Gizzard Trail / Grundy Forest, Foster Falls / Climbers Loop, Denny Cove Trail, Fiery Gizzard: Grundy to Raven Point. Most travelers build a long weekend around two or three experiences plus a town for dinners — pair Grundy Day Loop with the closest ones below for a full itinerary.
Stay Near ranks lodging around Grundy Day Loop by how well each property fits your trip — distance, drive times to nearby experiences, amenities like hot tubs or kitchens, and walkable dining. Add the experiences you want most to the bar above, and the Stay Near Score™ re-orders the list so the top result is the best base for your full plan, not just the closest cabin.
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