River Bluff Trail - TVA Norris Dam

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.

Parking area

Trailhead

The initial portion of the trail is deceptively straight and level

The beginning of the loop

The trail climbs through open forest

The hillside is fairly steep

The trail tops out near an old construction road

Maple saplings

The first of two benches is on top of the bluff

 

The trail winds down to the river

Songbird Trail bridge over Clear Creek

The second bench is down by the riverside

The ground cover is more dense near the river

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.