Hampton Cove Creek

Hampton Cove Creek is a bit off the beaten path. Not often visited, but a gorgeous place to hike. Most everyone comes to Roan Mountain for the balds and the Rhododendren Gardens, but this gem, found outside the actual town of Roan Mountain, TN, is worth looking into. Click here for information and directions.

It's a unique place to hike because the lower part of the hike takes you through a working farm. So you open and close gates as you go and find yourself walking next to cows and horses.

I haven't ever gone all the way to Yellow Mountain Gap from this direction, but that's where this trail (part of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail) leads. Doing so would put you very close to the Overmountain Shelter (aka 'The Barn').  The trail is not really well marked, so I'd recommend studying the map found at the trailhead (or at the link above) before heading out. Depending on the season, the initial part of the trail can be muddy and weedy.

Click photos to enlarge.

a country landscape

There is nothing like walking to get the feel of a country. A fine landscape is like a piece of music; it must be taken at the right tempo. Even a bicycle goes too fast.
--Paul Scott Mowrer (1887-1971) journalist and poet

The Overmountain Victory Trail leads visitors through Hampton Creek Cove's rolling pastures. Hikers must open and close various gates as they progress through the cove, a 693 acre natural area east of Roan Mountain, TN. It's a beautiful area with rolling fields and flowing streams and deep woods (along with three hiking trails). This diverse parcel is managed by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy in partnership with the State of Tennessee. One hundred of the acres are still used for farming -- and it's a unique experience to share the trail with cows and horses, but they don't seem to mind. The Overmountain Trail is part of the original 330 mile route that was used by the Overmountain Men, a frontier militia, en route to Kings Mountain (SC) where they soundly defeated British loyaltists in 1780. This portion of the Trail eventually crosses the AT at Yellow Mountain Gap and connects with the Roaring Creek valley in NC. Click here for directions and additional information.

Hampton Creek Cove

Hampton Creek Cove is a 693-acre natural area in Carter County near Roan Mountain State Park which is managed by the State in partnership with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. The main attractions are the hiking trails, most notably the Overmountain Victory Trail which traces the path of a patriot militia which set out from Fort Watauga in Elizabethton in 1780 in pursuit of the British -- culminating in the pivotal patriot victory on King's Mountain in South Carolina. The actual trail taken by the patriots encompasses four states: Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina (see the maps below). For more of the history of the Overmountain Men and Battle of King's Mountain, click here.

What you'll discover at Hampton Creek Cove is a beautiful pastoral scene. The land continues to be used for farming - so you'll find yourself walking through cow pastures and opening and closing gates as you hike. The Overmountain Trail roughly follows Hampton Creek through the valley's gorgeous, rolling pastures, eventually entering the forest as it climbs Yellow Mountain where it connects with the Appalachian Trail (a 3.6 mile hike one way). The Birchfield Trail parallels the Overmountain Trail, but follows right along side the creek, offering a beautiful woodland hike. A third trail, which I haven't taken, is called the Shell Hollow Trail - a 2 mile round trip loop. Lots to explore - plenty of wild flowers - history - and beautiful views. Update: click here for another post of mine from a more recent visit.

For driving directions to Hampton Creek Cove, click here.
For Hampton Creek Cove trail map, click map above.
For a map showing the Overmountain Trail Map, click here.
For a map showing the Overmountain Motor Route Map, click here.