East Lakeshore Trails
The East Lakeshore Trail is a linear series of smaller trails that run along Tellico Lake in Greenback, TN, and has been designated a National Recreation Trail. Take a short day hike along one of the 11 branches of this almost 29 mile trail, or make a weekend of it and hike the whole length with an overnight rest at one of the campsites along the way.
ADA Accessibility Notes
No ADA accessibility available on East Lake Shore Trails.
East Lakeshore Trail system is located along the east shore of Tellico Lake and was recently designated a National Recreation Trail by the Department of the Interior. The trail was built in 2003 with a joint effort of Watershed Assoc. of the Tellico Reservoir (WATeR) and Tennessee Valley Authority. Twenty eight bridges cross the many streams and coves. Because of navigation regulations, one bridge stretches 15 feet in the air and is 85 feet long. Stiles have been built to assist you over fences and benches scattered along the trail to give you an opportunity to rest and enjoy the view. A nice boardwalk in one trail section will keep you from getting your shoes wet. There are several boat landings for those who live across the lake and don’t want to drive around the lake to get to the trail.
Baker Hollow Branch: an easy 3 mile trail that has a nice scenic vista from Mizell Bluff towards Tellico Dam and the Cumberland Mountains. The majority of the trail runs through pine hardwood forests that are 80 to 100 years old. Two stretches of the trail run along high bluffs that overlook Tellico Dam.
Sinking Creek Branch: an easy 4.5 mile trail traverses younger forests of mixed pine and hardwood that established as fields when they were abandoned in the early 1940’s. About half a mile in from the Coytee trail head, look for a small natural beach. This section of the trail also hosts the remains of a 40’s era abandoned pickup truck.
Canel Branch: easy 1.5 miles
Davis Ferry Branch: easy 3.2 miles
Glendale Branch: easy 3 miles
Coytee Loop Branch: easy 2.4 miles
Sinking Creek Branch: easy 4.5 miles
Lotterdale Branch: easy 3.8 miles
Jackson Bend Branch: easy 5.1 miles
Morganton Branch: easy 3 miles
Eco-Friendly Notes
TVA is a partner of Leave No Trace and requests that visitors follow Leave No Trace practices.
How to Get There
This trail is around 35 miles south of Knoxville, Tennessee. Take exit 81 off of I-75 turning left onto Hwy. 321. Turn right onto Hwy. 95.
https://www.google.com/maps?daddr=35.76794,-84.23775
Pet Friendly Notes
Pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash no longer than 6-feet. TVA is a partner of Leave No Trace and requests that visitors follow Leave No Trace practices, including picking up after your pet.
Trail Distance
Total trail distance 28.8 miles
Vertical Gain or Loss
Easy-Moderate