Sewanee in Franklin County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Sewanee Village Trailhead
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 17, 2026
1. Sewanee Village Trailhead Marker
The University of the South, familiarly known as Sewanee, is a private Episcopal university founded in 1857. The word "Sewanee" is thought to be a Native American term meaning "lost" which was likely an experience shared by many settlers to this region. Fortunately, today the 13,000 acres of forests, bluffs, caves, and springs that make up Sewanee's campus can be easily navigated by more than 65 miles of hiking trails and mapped forest roads. Sewanee's signature trail is the Perimeter Trail, a 20-mile loop trail that passes through both the village and some of the most remote sections of the University's landholdings.
You are currently standing near the site of the former Sewanee train station. Although the railway was dismantled in 1986 and eventually replaced with the Mountain Goat Trail, at one time the village was a budding train stop and saw three to four trains per day. Local even referred to the area as "depot village" for many years. The railroad played a major part in the development of the village, shipping good was extremely easy. Between 1865 and 1872, the population of Sewanee Village boomed from a few
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Hiking and Biking
MOUNTAIN GOAT TRAIL, is a greenway trail that stretches all the way from Cowan to Tracy City. Perfect for a ride. The Perimeter Trail and Mountain Goat Trail are the same trail in this area. To stay on the Perimeter Trail, look for signs indicating where it leaves the Mountain Goat Trail .7 miles south and 1.5 miles north of this location.
POINT DISAPPOINTMENT is a 2.2 mile easy out and back hike. Beginning behind the community center, follow the Village Connector Trail to the Potter's Ridge trailhead. Bear left onto Potter's Ridge and continue for about .5 mile until you see an offshoot to your left. Follow the trail to the two look-out points.
BALL PARK TRAIL is an easy .6 miles. head west on the Mountain Goat trail until you intersect withBall Park Trail on your left. Follow this trail to the Caldwell Rim Trailhead for access to Potter's Ridge, Lost Cove, and Caldwell Rim.
University of the South Trail Rating System
All university trails are rated according
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 17, 2026
2. Sewanee Village Trailhead Marker
Easy: Easiest trails suitable for all hikers and bikers. These trails include the Mountain Goat Trail, the Tennessee Williams trails, Abbo's Alley trails, Beckwith's Point Trail, and the Lake Cheston Trail.
Moderate: These trails have some elevation changes and trail obstacles. Hikers should have some experience and be in good physical condition. Where mountain biking is allowed, these trails are for experienced riders only. Moderate trails include Caldwell Rim and the majority of the Perimeter Trail.
Difficult: Difficult trails should be hiked by experienced hikers. These trails are sometimes unstable with steep grades and many obstacles. Difficult trails do not allow mountain bikes. Difficult trails include Bridal Veil Falls, Proctor's Hall and Potter's Ridge.
Trailing and Signage The Perimeter Trail is marked with blue blazes while secondary trails trails are marked with white blazes. A double blaze indicates an intersection or sharp turn in the trail. At each trail intersection, signage indicates the trail name, distance to the next trail junction, difficulty of the next trail section, prohibited uses, and cautions. Each trail junction sign also contains a unique number that corresponds to your distance along that particular trail. This number is useful to track distance traveled. In the event of an emergency, call 911 and give responders the number of the closest trail junction to help them locate you.
General Recreational Rules of the Domain
The University of the South's trails and recreational amenities are primarily for the use of faculty, staff, and students of the University of the South. The University reserves the right to grant or deny permission to others who seek access to University property. All outside groups of 10 or more must contact the University prior to using the property. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Users must leave natural, historical, and archaeological items in place. Collecting natural or archaeologial objects, removing, defacing or destroying any plant, animal, or mineral is prohibited.
HIKING: Trails may be accessed from Green's View, the Memorial Cross, the University Gates, Lakes Cheston, Morgan's Steep, Breakfield Road, and downtown Sewanee. Trails are intended for daytime use only.
MOUNTAIN BIKING: Mountain biking is allowed on all trails and fire lanes except: the Perimeter Trail in Shakerag Hollow; Proctor's Hall Trail; the Solomon's Temple Trail; and the Bridal Veil Falls Trail. Mountain biking is prohibited on all trails after dark.
HORSEBACK RIDING: Horseback riding outside the University equestrian program by permit only. Please visit new.sewanee.edu/offices/university-offices/environmental-stewardship-sustainability/the-domain/recreation/trails/horseback-riding for more permit information and approved trails.
MOTOR VEHICLES: Motorized vehicles, including ATVs, are prohibited on all trails and fire lanes.
WATER: Water taken from streams is not suitable for use unless boiled, purified, or treated with iodine tablets.
HUNTING: Hunting is not allowed outside University-sanctioned events. Please email [email protected] for more information.
ROCK CLIMBING AND CAVING: Rock climbing and caving are not allowed by the general public on the Domain. For more information on these activities, please contact [email protected].
In Case of Emergency, Call 911
This location is known to 911 Dispatch as Sewanee Village Trailhead.
Please remember that a smartphone can pinpoint a location quickly using any compass or mapping app. Please use this function if available.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.
Location. 35° 11.69′ N, 85° 55.012′ W. Marker is in Sewanee, Tennessee, in Franklin County. It is at the intersection of Lake O'Donnell Road and Transatlantic Trail (U.S. 41A), on the left when traveling south on Lake O'Donnell Road. Marker is in front of the Head of the Crow State Park Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17 Lake O'Donnell Rd, Sewanee TN 37375, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee and in the Highland Rim. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mountain Goat Trail (here, next to this marker); Head of the Crow State Park (here, next to this marker); Desegregation of Franklin County Public Schools (approx. 0.2 miles away); Army of Tennessee (approx. half a mile away); Saints Rest (approx. 0.6 miles away); Rebel's Rest (approx. Ύ mile away); Edmund Kirby Smith (approx. 0.9 miles away); University of the South (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sewanee.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 20, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
