Cumberland Trail — Section 1: Tank Springs to Smoky Road
~3 days · 36.9 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Cumberland Trail — Section 1: Tank Springs to Smoky Road is known for
Section 1 of Cumberland Trail is an official 58.718 km point-to-point section from Tank Springs Trailhead to Smoky Road Trailhead.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 3,586 ft to 9,816 ft over 36.9 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 15.8 mi · 43%
- Downhill 17.2 mi · 47%
- Flat 3.5 mi · 10%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Cumberland Trail — Section 1: Tank Springs to Smoky Road?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Cumberland Trail — Section 1: Tank Springs to Smoky Road scores 36/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Cumberland Trail — Section 1: Tank Springs to Smoky Road take?
Most backpackers hike the Cumberland Trail — Section 1: Tank Springs to Smoky Road in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 36.9 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Cumberland Trail — Section 1: Tank Springs to Smoky Road?
The Cumberland Trail — Section 1: Tank Springs to Smoky Road climbs roughly 12,306 ft total — about 333 ft per mile, topping out near 3,018 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.