Rooted in the Land | Sewanee, TN

The Perimeter Trail

20+ Miles of Mountain Majesty

Encircling the University of the South’s 13,000-acre campus, this trail offers stunning overlooks, waterfalls, and deep forest vibes. It’s perfect for hiking, trail running, or escaping into the misty woods.
Access Points:

• Memorial Cross: End of Tennessee Avenue, Sewanee, TN 37375.​

• Lake Cheston: Located off Breakfield Road, accessible via University Avenue, Sewanee, TN 37375.​

• Green's View: Green's View Road, Sewanee, TN 37375.

• University Gates: Intersection of University Avenue and Highway 41A, Sewanee, TN 37375.

Note: The Perimeter Trail can be accessed from multiple points, including the Sewanee Village, the Memorial Cross, Lake Cheston, Green's View, the Caldwell Rim/Potter's Ridge trailhead, and the University Gates. ​

Morgan’s Steep

Sunsets, Cliffs, and Legend

A dramatic overlook at the edge of the Cumberland Plateau. It’s steeped in campus lore and a favorite spot for reflection, proposals, or catching golden hour magic.

📍 Address: 206 Morgan's Steep Rd, Sewanee, TN 37375

Piney Point Trail

Short Hike, Big Payoff

A relatively easy 2-mile out-and-back trail that ends with a sweeping view of the valley. Ideal for casual hikers and sunrise chasers.

📍 Trailhead Address: Across from Morgan’s Steep parking area, near 206 Morgan’s Steep Rd, Sewanee, TN 37375

Thumping Dick Cove

Yes, That’s Really the Name

A hidden cove with a steep, rugged descent into wild beauty and mountain silence. Bring your courage—and good boots.

General Access: Thumping Dick Trailhead, Sherwood Rd near Breakfield Rd, Sewanee, TN 37375
(Note: This trail is remote and unmarked—ask locals or SOP guides for safest access.)

Lost Cove Cave (aka Buggytop Cave)

Ancient Shelter Meets Epic Adventure

One of the most spectacular caves in the South Cumberland region, this spot has archaeological significance dating back thousands of years. A 4-mile round-trip hike with a healthy dose of wilderness.

📍 Trailhead: 6398 Sherwood Rd, Sewanee, TN 37375

Explore Historical Attractions

The University of the South (Sewanee)

Stone Walls, Sacred Spaces, and University Roots

Founded in 1857, this Episcopal liberal arts university dominates Sewanee. The campus is known for its stone buildings, quiet quads, and Hogwarts vibes. Walking tours are a must.

📍 Address: 735 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 37375

All Saints’ Chapel

Sacred Stone and Stained Glass

The spiritual and architectural heart of campus. Built in the early 1900s, its soaring ceilings, historic pipe organ, and Tiffany-style windows make it a showstopper.

📍 Address: 735 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 37375 (on the University of the South campus)

Rebel’s Rest (ruins)

Southern Ghosts and University Roots

Once the home of Sewanee’s first vice-chancellor, Rebel’s Rest survived the Civil War and stood as a symbol of the school’s perseverance—until a fire in 2014. The stone ruins remain a haunting reminder of the past.

📍 Site Address: Across from Breslin Tower, near 735 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 37375

Sewanee War Memorial Cross

Overlook with Meaning

Perched high on the bluff, this large white cross honors Sewanee alumni who died in war. The view is just as powerful as the monument itself.

📍 Address: End of Tennessee Ave, Sewanee, TN 37375

DuBose Conference Center (Monteagle, closely tied to Sewanee)

Spiritual Retreats and Civil Rights Echoes

Originally built in 1872, the DuBose Center has hosted Episcopal gatherings, educational programs, and quietly played a role in civil rights history.

📍 Address: 635 College St, Monteagle, TN 37356

Explore Tales from the Plateau | Monteagle, TN

Gravestones, Gothic Halls, and Whispers in the Woods

Perched on 13,000 acres of misty forest, Sewanee isn’t just a college town—it’s a place where the line between sacred and spectral gets delightfully blurry. Founded by Episcopal bishops and steeped in Southern Gothic charm, Sewanee is known for its stone buildings, monastic quiet, and a campus that feels like it was pulled from an old novel—or maybe a ghost story. Here, the fog rolls in thick, the woods are deep, and the spirits? Well, let’s just say they haven’t all graduated.

Tuckaway’s Haunted Room

Not All Tenants Leave

Once a faculty home tucked into the trees, Tuckaway House has long been rumored to host a guest who doesn’t pay rent… or breathe. Residents have reported flickering lights, doors opening on their own, and a presence in the attic. One story tells of a professor who moved out in the middle of the night, refusing to speak of what he'd seen.

All Saints’ Chapel Whispers

Gothic Echoes After Midnight

All Saints’ Chapel is the heart of campus—and maybe its soul’s resting place. Though sacred by design, it’s been the site of strange cold spots, candle flickers, and even quiet whispers in the empty pews. Students claim the best time to feel it is alone, after midnight. If you dare.

The Hanging Tree in Abbo’s Alley

History Has Roots. Some of Them Bleed.

Deep in the serene Abbo’s Alley lies a crooked old tree rumored to have been the site of a Civil War-era hanging. Hikers report strange drops in temperature and the feeling of being watched. Some say if you stop there at dusk, you’ll hear branches creak with no wind.

Rebel’s Rest Ruins

Still Standing in the Mind’s Eye

Before it burned in 2014, Rebel’s Rest was the oldest house on campus and once hosted university founders. Even after the fire, some say you can still feel it—an unease in the clearing where it stood. Rumors of voices, ghostly lights, and vivid dreams persist.

The Perambulating Professor

He Walked Then. He Walks Still.

In Sewanee's early days, a beloved professor was known to stroll campus at twilight in his slippers and cloak. Decades after his death, students and faculty alike have reported seeing a shadowy, scholarly figure quietly pacing along University Avenue or near Convocation Hall. He never speaks—but always vanishes when approached.