By Alex Large
The Honey Creek Loop Trail, part of the John Muir Trail, is one of the best
(and certainly one of my favorite) hikes in North East Tennessee.  It is a
difficult trail on the Southern side of the National Recreation Area with
many
creek crossings and hill climbs/descents.   Pack light to best enjoy the
hike.
The trail winds through greatly diverse and unique ecosystems provided by
the
natural sandstone in the area.  Great views and overlooks are available and
accessible by a series of steep ladders off the side of the trail.

The trail meanders along side and even through Honey Creek, one of the
tributaries to the Big South Fork river. Enormous caves and rock formations
are some of the natural scenery that makes this place so special. Trees have

found home directly on top of some of the sandstone rocks and their roots
reach all the way to the ground, often times many feet below.  Some of the
trail passes directly through the stone crevasses and can be a tight
squeeze.
A few waterfalls are good places to stop and eat or take a break.