Osborne Farm to Cross Mountain

— 2 miles — 1 hour — Easy — 137′ elevation gain —

This out-and-back hike starting from the Osborne Farm trailhead to Cross Mountain is a excellent family friendly hike along a section of the AT. The views along the hike are great, but we think the features that sets this hike apart are being able to hike through cow pastures and past a unique barn.

Getting There

From I-26:

Take Exit 24 to merge onto TN-67 E/US-321 N toward Elizabethton
Travel 8.7 miles, then use middle lane to turn left onto US-19E N
Travel 0.2 mile, and exit right onto TN-91 N/Stoney Creek Road towards Shady Valley
Travel 18.5 miles to find the parking area on the right at the intersection with Cross Mountain Road

The Hike

From the parking area, cross TN-91, heading North on the AT. Pass through the gate to enter the pasture. The first 0.5 mile of the trail is gravel and supposedly ADA compliant. You will likely encounter cows either in this field or in the adjoining fields. Be respectful of the cows and give them space, especially if they have calves. Also, be careful while taking in the views while walking since there will be plenty of cow-patties to accidentally step into.

Path entering the cow pasture near the Osborne Farm trailhead, with trees on each side of the trail.

Trail through the cow pasture at Osborne Farm with slight upward grade and curving to left.

The trail takes you past a cool barn/shed with an iconic AT logo on the side, making it a unique photo opportunity with the mountains in the background. Shortly after the barn, you will reach a bench, which is the main view point on this trail, and the end of the ADA-compliant section.

Shortly after, you will come across a step-over to cross into a different pasture. There will be a few others along this stretch. Be sure to take a moment to admire the rolling hills of the pasture. The trail will then approach the tree line, with a final step-over to leave the pasture. We stopped after we reached one mile from the parking lot, and there wasn’t much to note in this stretch besides secluded woods. You can choose to make this hike as long or as short as you like. Eventually, if you keep going north for another 2 miles, you will reach the Double Springs Shelter and the intersection with the Holston Mountain Trail.