Mountain Living - Cumberland Plateau
Real Estate Guide

Cumberland Plateau:
Miles and miles of spectacular views

Rocky ridges, abundant forests and meandering waterways characterize the Cumberland Plateau of the Appalachian region, which extends from Northeast Alabama through the middle of East Tennessee and into Southeast Kentucky and parts of West Virginia.

Technically, the Cumberland Mountains are located in the northeast section of the plateau at the corner where Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee meet. The highest peak is Black Mountain, located in this area near Lynch, Ky., at 4,145 feet. Close by is Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, which commemorates the early explorers who used the gap to travel through the rugged Appalachian Mountains. But many people refer to the numerous high ridges that make up the entire Cumberland Plateau as the Cumberland Mountains because of their spectacular views.

The views in Loudon County are one example. Located in the middle of the Cumberland Plateau about 25 miles southwest of Knoxville, the area edges several distinctive ridges to the north and west, is woven throughout with ribbons of rivers, lakes and tributaries, and sits at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains to the east.

This area of the Cumberland Plateau seems to provide a little bit of everything. Close by are the Tennessee River, Tellico Lake, Watts Bar Lake, Melton Hill Lake and Fort Loudoun Lake, as well as the many marinas that dot these waterways.

Several historic sites can be found in the area  -  for instance, Fort Loudoun State Park. Built in 1756, this is the 1,200-acre location of one of the earliest British fortifications on the Western frontier. It offers tours of the fort and living history events throughout the year.

Within a short drive of Loudon County are several other Cumberland Plateau treasures, including some of the most picturesque state parks in Tennessee. Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville is a 1,720-acre park depicting the Cumberland Homestead Community of the 1930s. The waterfalls and gorges of Fall Creek Falls State Park near Pikeville offer one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains.

Location: Plateau runs from Northeast Alabama through East Tennessee into Southeast Kentucky. Cumberland Mountains are located in the corner where Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee meet. Cities: Crossville, Loudon, LaFollette, Middlesboro, Ky.  

Attractions:
Cumberland Mountain State Park
Fall Creek Falls State Park
South Cumberland State Park
Cumberland Trail State Park
Fort Loudoun State Park
Cumberland Gap National Historic Park
Fort Loudoun Lake
Tellico Lake
Watts Bar Lake

For more information visit:

www.nps.fov/cuga,
www.visitloudoncounty.com
state.tn.us/environment/parks