The River Bluff Trail is a 3.2 mile loop downstream of Norris Dam on the southwest side of the Clinch River. We hiked this National Recreation Trail in late April, 2013. To reach the trail-head from the dam, head north on US 441 and turn left onto Dabney Road. This will be the first paved road beyond the West Overlook of the dam. After turning onto Dabney, immediately veer left down the hill. The road ends in about ¾ of a mile at the trail-head parking area. About ¼ mile down the trail a sign marks the junction of the loop portion of the trail. On this day, I chose the uphill path to the right. After a couple of long switchbacks, the trail tops out near the top of the ridge in an open forest. After hiking down the ridge, another couple of switchbacks drop the trail about 200 feet to the Clinch River just upstream of Hibbs Island and the weir dams.
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| Parking area |
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| Trailhead |
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| The initial portion of the trail is deceptively straight and level |
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| The beginning of the loop |
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| The trail climbs through open forest |
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| The hillside is fairly steep |
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| The trail tops out near an old construction road |
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| Maple saplings |
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| The first of two benches is on top of the bluff |
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| The trail winds down to the river |
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| Songbird Trail bridge over Clear Creek |
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| The second bench is down by the riverside |
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| The ground cover is more dense near the river |
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| The namesake bluff of the trail |
Information about public trails maintained by TVA can be found at http://www.tva.gov/river/recreation/dispersed/trail-table_hold.htm.
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