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Black Mountain/Brady Mountain Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 45 Google reviews · Running trail in Crossville, Tennessee · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Black Mountain/Brady Mountain Trailhead'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.
Hiking area with caves and boulders that's good for children.
What runners say about Black Mountain/Brady Mountain Trailhead
“Challenging and beautiful hike with rewarding vistas at the top amazing rock formations, well maintained trail and great views the whole way too if the leaves are down.”
“The trail is well marked with white reflective blazes.”
We hiked from Ozone Falls up-and-over Black Mountain and then on to the trailhead here at Brady Mountain. This is on the 200+ mile Cumberland Trail (CT). The hike should be considered strenuous sense it is around 12 miles and had approx. 2,300 ft in elevation gain.
This trail head is easy to miss despite the copious signage indicating “Trail Crossing”. The actual trail kiosk is not visible from either the road or the parking area. The unimproved trail meets the paved road where the paved road starts downhill.
March 23, Sunday. Spring is coming, but the only wild flowers I saw are bloodroot. Also encountered two turkeys and one whitetail deer. Hiked in/out from route 68 trailhead to the Black Mnt top. Challenging and rewarding. Windlass cave is a must stop that is a Karst formation typical in the Grassy Cove area.
Lovely long hike up through the ridges and passes to the top. Incredible natural beauty and Rocky terrain. The views from the summit are superb. Alternative trails at the top lead to camping and other places, so careful when making the decent to follow the right path.
Trail conditions & character
“Challenging and beautiful hike with rewarding vistas at the top amazing rock formations, well maintained trail and great views the whole way too if the leaves are down.”
“The climb is steep and follows an old 4-wheeler trail up to the start of the single track that leads to the ridge.”
“We hiked from Ozone Falls up-and-over Black Mountain and then on to the trailhead here at Brady Mountain.”
“The unimproved trail meets the paved road where the paved road starts downhill.”
“The climb is steep and follows an old 4-wheeler trail up to the start of the single track that leads to the ridge.”
“Very pretty, albeit short, loop on the Cumberland Trail.”
“The trail is well marked with white reflective blazes.”
Plan your run at Black Mountain/Brady Mountain Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- 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 — reported by runners
Running trails near Crossville
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Black Mountain Trail/Overlook
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Pioneer Trail Trailhead
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Fairfield Glade Kirkstone Trail
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Overlook Nature Trail
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Easy, scenic hiking trail through woodland and along a creek, with river views and vistas.