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Big Possum Creek (Heiss Mountain) Trailhead of the Cumberland Trail

4.9 ★★★★★ Running trail in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Big Possum Creek (Heiss Mountain) Trailhead of the Cumberland Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

MixedScenicStroller / ADAHillyRestroomsTrailhead parking

Park offering hiking trails that feature waterfalls, creeks, and forest views.

What runners say about Big Possum Creek (Heiss Mountain) Trailhead of the Cumberland Trail

Pulled from public reviews — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Is such a beautiful trail and since it's been raining the natural streams and little water falls are everywhere!”

This CT trail head is easy to find and has decent parking. The hike is nice along the creek.

★★★★★ — Adventure , Feb 2022

Great section of the Cumberland Trail. Just the right amount of elevation gain/loss and not to mention this part of the trail does not get busy. Walk down to the creek and cool off or check out the old railroad bed. It’s a nice hike!

★★★★★ — Benjamin , Sep 2021

Headed to Heiss Mtn. trailhead which is a segment of the Cumberland Trail State Park to rejuvenate my hiking legs after a respite from summer hiking. The leaves today haven't really started their peak period with their fall colors but I needed some mileage and traveled from the trailhead to the far side of Hughes…

★★★★★ — Hiking , Oct 2021

Terrific section of the Cumberland Trail. This sectuon is strenuous with losts of ups and down and lots of steps.

★★★★★ — Waterfall , Jan 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🅿️ Trailhead parking 15 mentions

“Fairy tail creeks, trails and hills, we were looking for possum creek but google maps sent us to a private property area with no parking or direct access.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 12 mentions

“in total to get to the waterfall (the main one) it’s around 5 miles going up but mostly down which means coming back it’s mostly up!”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 7 mentions

“Fairy tail creeks, trails and hills, we were looking for possum creek but google maps sent us to a private property area with no parking or direct access.”

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🛣️ Paved surface

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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🚻 Restrooms

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Big Possum Creek (Heiss Mountain) Trailhead of the Cumberland Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitetnstateparks.com
  • Phone+1 423-562-1267
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday 8 AM–4 PM
Sunday

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Big Possum Creek (Heiss Mountain) Trailhead of the Cumberland Trail

1840 Heiss Mountain Rd, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379

Get directions

Running trails near Soddy-Daisy

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Big Soddy Creek Gulf

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Soddy-Daisy, TN

2 miCrushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

Gorge and trail-rich area featuring natural pools and waterfalls.

3.1 miles away

Soddy Daisy Park Bird Sanctuary

4.6 ★★★★★

Soddy-Daisy, TN

LitScenic

Park offering picnic areas and fishing, along with swimming in a lake.

3.8 miles away

4.6 miles away

Little Soddy Trailhead

4.5 ★★★★★

Soddy-Daisy, TN

0.4 miNatural surfaceScenic

Kid-friendly hiking area with well-marked trails and some water crossings.

4.6 miles away

5.5 miles away

Mowbray Pike Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★

Soddy-Daisy, TN

PavedScenic

Hiking trails, including a 3.5-mi. portion of the Cumberland Trail, and rock-climbing options.

6.5 miles away

All running trails in Soddy-Daisy, TN →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.