Devil’s Backbone State Natural Area

Date Hiked: 04/10/10

Park: Devil’s Backbone State Natural Area

Location: Mile 394 Natchez Trace Parkway

Latitude: 35.60546, Longitude: -87.40629

Trail Rating: Moderate

Round-Trip Mileage: 3.2 miles

For Map, Trail Mileage, GPS, and Trail Notes go to Page 2

Pre-Hike Comments

We had never hiked or visited the area. April 5-11 was proclaimed by the Governor as State Natural Areas Week, so we tried to find an area we had never visited to hike. Devil’s Backbone was supposed to be a good hike and it is always fun to travel on the Natchez Trace.

The Trail

Directions: Devil’s Backbone is located on the Natchez Trace at mile 394. As a reference, the junction with Highway 100 southwest of Nashville is at mile 444. The National Park Service map is helpful. A large sign directs traffic to the trailhead.

exit sign for Devils Backbone

Exit off of the Natchez Trace

From the trailhead kiosk, take the well defined trail as it curves along below the road. After .10 miles the trail will descend a steeper section and intersect with an old road. The road follows a ridge.

kiosk

Trailhead kiosk

At .50 miles the trail junctions with the "Loop Trail 2mi" sign. The description follows the trail going counter-clockwise or actually just going straight at the sign.

sign at the Loop Trail

"Loop Trail 2mi" sign

The trail continues along the ridge for .30 miles before it begins the descent. After one switchback the trail makes its way to the bottom of the hollow and follows along a branch of the creek.

looking down at the hollow

Looking down at the creeks in the hollow

After a short while the trail crosses the creek. There is no bridge at this point. There were a few limb branches spanning the water, but with a little water running it is a wet crossing. Also of note there are no blazes within sight of the crossing. A secondary path continued along the creek, where it was presumably looking for a drier crossing. The trail goes ahead and crosses the creek on the branches and a blazed tree appears in just a short while.

creek crossing

Looking back at the creek crossing, there is no blaze on the other side of the tree

After crossing the creek the trail follows the main branch of the stream for a short while and then crosses it on an old bridge.

small foot bridge

Old bridge crossing the creek

The trail then makes a U-turn and follows the creek back down stream. It passes the crossing and even where the trail came down from the ridge. Then the trail turns and climbs out of the hollow to the west.

climb out of the hollow

Climb out of the hollow

It is a little less than a 200 foot climb to reach the rim. The trail joins a road on the ridge. A sign at the top of the hill directs hikers down the hill. Turn left on the old road. (To the right, limbs lain across the road discourage hikers from going the wrong way.)

top of the ridge

Reaching the ridge, the trail goes to the left

The trail follows the old road and ridge for 1.10 miles back to the signed Loop Trail junction.

pleasant walk on the ridge

A pleasant walk on the ridge

At the junction turn right and return to the trailhead .50 miles ahead.

return to the junction

Trail returning to the parking area

The total length of the trail is 3.2 miles.