Warriors' Path State Park: Overlook Trail (Blog Hike #982)

Trail: Overlook Trail
Hike Location: Warriors' Path State Park
Geographic Location: south of Kingsport, TN (36.49052, -82.47716)
Length: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: October 2023
Overview: A short lollipop loop to an overlook above the Holston River.
Park Information: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/warriors-path
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=950132
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming November 22)

Directions to the trailhead: In northeast Tennessee, take I-81 to SR 36 (exit 59).  Exit and go north on SR 36.  Drive SR 36 north 1.3 miles to Hemlock Road and turn right on Hemlock Rd.  Drive Hemlock Rd. east 1.6 miles to the state park entrance on the right.  Turn softly right to enter the park.  Drive the main park road 1.1 miles to the boat ramp parking lot and the adjacent parking lot for the Cliffside Disc Golf Course and the Overlook Trail.  Park here.

The hike: Consisting of 950 acres in the northeast tip of Tennessee, Warriors' Path State Park occupies a scenic area along Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir on the South Fork Holston River.  Fort Patrick Henry Dam was built in the early 1950's by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for purposes of hydroelectric power generation and water flow regulation.  The park's land was acquired from the TVA by the State of Tennessee in 1952.  The park is named for its proximity to the Cherokee Great War and Trading Path, an ancient road that went through this area.

            The park has many fantastic amenities including a 90-site developed campground, an 18 hole golf course, 2 18 hole disc golf courses, a marina on the reservoir, athletic fields, and several hiking trails.  The Overlook Trail described here is one of the park's shorter trails, but it may be the park's most scenic trail.  As its name suggests, the Overlook Trail leads to a scenic overlook high above the South Fork Holston River, and few trails in east Tennessee match this trail's effort to reward ratio.

Overlook Trail trailhead

            Start at the rear of the parking area, where a metal vehicle gate and wooden sign that says "Overlook Trail" mark the trailhead.  Marked with new red paint blazes and older light green paint blazes, the Overlook Trail heads south as it climbs gradually on single track dirt trail; the wider path going right is the first hole on this park's Cliffside Disc Golf Course.  The forest here is a nice mix of deciduous trees that includes maple, oak, hickory, and sweet gum.

Climbing on the Overlook Trail

            After 0.3 miles of gradual climbing, you reach the intersection that forms the Overlook Trail's short loop.  To go directly to the overlook, turn left and hike the loop clockwise.  Scrambling down a short rocky area brings you to the overlook.  This viewpoint looks southeast over the wide South Fork Holston River with the I-81 river bridge visible to the right.  This viewpoint is indeed this hike's and this park's best overlook, so take a few minutes to enjoy the view.

Main overlook

            Past the overlook, the trail descends a steep rocky area to cross what appears to be an old dirt road.  Another disc golf hole follows the old road to the right through what looks like a hill cut.  The Overlook Trail climbs more gradually than it descended and curves right to pass 2 more holes on the disc golf course before closing the loop.  A left turn takes you back down the entrance trail to the parking area to complete the hike.