Waterfalls and Brews
One of our favorite day trips is to the Sparta, Tennessee area to visit waterfalls and enjoy some downtime at the Calfkiller Brewery.
Agenda
- Drive down Highway 70S
- Visit Calfkiller Brewery
- Visit/Hike Waterfalls
Waterfall/Vista Options:
One of our favorite day trips is to the Sparta, Tennessee area to visit waterfalls and enjoy some downtime at the Calfkiller Brewery. I start my planning with Calfkiller for a couple of reasons. (The name of the beer is for the water source for the brewery, the Calfkiller River. Calfkiller is a fantastic beer on a fantastic campus. They keep more banker’s hours than bar hours. They are open Monday through Saturday from 10AM to 4 PM. If you are going, you need to work it into your plans first, and then figure out how you want to do your nature viewing.
I budget two to three hours for the drive. I suggest leaving early. One option is to drive straight out on I-40 until you get to Cookeville, TN. We like to get off the interstate for this drive, so we exit toward highway 70 near Lebanon. Either way, the waterfall option comes first is Burgess Falls. I really like this park. Parking is easy. There are two options for hiking/walking. One is along the water and the other is more parallel to the river and more like a utility or power line dirt road. I walk along the river to see two sets of falls and return on the utility road. It is a relatively easy hike. You should wear appropriate shoes for being on some moist narrow trails. The distance to Burgess Falls is 1.5 miles. You could easily take my scenic route to Sparta and visit Burgess Falls and be back on the road by noon.
From here, I suggest heading to the Calfkiller Brewery campus. Ideally you had a late breakfast, because other than snacks, there is no food served at the taproom. It is, in my humble opinion, as nourishing for the soul as hiking in nature. The taproom and giftshop is pleasant. The outdoor seating area is really enjoyable. The prices for the beer are extremely reasonable. The beer is my favorite beer made in Tennessee. Enjoy yourself! Then, when you are finished, pick your next option for this day trip.
If you are aligned with the previous agenda, you now have eliminated the Virgin Falls Hike. Depending on the remaining hours of sunlight, you may be able to take in both remaining vistas. Probably picking one is the best idea.
One option is to drive down the road to Fall Creek Falls State Park which features one of the most noteworthy vistas in Tennessee. The total drive is about an hour. You will need to sort through your options when you arrive at the park. One option is to park at the visitor center and hike to the overlook. This is about an hour hike to the overlook and back. Another option is to drive to the overlook parking lot and take the short walk to the overlook and take in the view. There is a trail that goes to the base of the falls. It is about a half mile. The way back up the trail is strenuous.
When you finish with the trail and the park, dial up your navigation. If you are out of daylight I suggest you head directly toward I-40. You will have other options that take you to I-24. Both interstates take you back to Nashville.
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Now let’s go back to Calfkiller for a different choice. While the elaborate and challenging (and rewarding) 9 mile hike to Virgin Falls is already off the table, However, you still have the option of driving to Welch’s Point Vista in the same park. (Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park) In fact you drive one turn past the trailhead for Virgin Falls and take the road to Welch’s Point Vista. This dirt road should be gone down carefully. There are a lot of rugged spots. A more durable vehicle is suggested, but it does not have to be 4 wheel drive. After you park the hiking trail is short (about a quarter mile) and the view is stunning. If you can time it to be near sun-down that is ideal, but try not to let all of the light disappear before you head back.
As you leave this area you may want to continue toward Cookeville to get back on interstate 40. You can stop at the Cookeville Buc-ees for gas and the unique mega gas station experience. Then head on back to Nashville.
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For this version we start back in Nashville. If you want a beautiful and challenging hike. Go to the trailhead of Virgin Falls. This is suggested for experienced hikers with the proper gear and supplies. Review the information and suggestions in the link for this trail. Try to allow yourself nine hours of daylight for your hike. When you are done you will be happy with your memories and experience and tired from the effort. I suggest stopping at Frank’s restaurant on the way back through Sparta. They had four types of Calfkiller on tap the last time I stopped there to eat. It is a good, wholesome small town restaurant that cooks food well. If you choose this hiking challenge, you may want to stay the night at a local motel.
Audibles:
Buc-ees
Frank’s Restaurant
