East Lakeshore Trails

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