Cumberland Plateau

A once-remote wilderness is now attracting increased recreational use and second-home development, placing new pressures on the world's longest hardwood-forested plateau. Stretching across eastern Tennessee from Alabama north into Kentucky, the Cumberland Plateau rises more than 1,000 feet above the Tennessee River Valley to a vast tableland of sandstone and shale dating as far back as 500 million years. Carved over time by flowing water, the plateau today is a labyrinth of rocky ridges and verdant ravines dropping steeply into gorges laced with waterfalls and caves, ferns, and rhododendrons.

Victorian Mansion

Tour, eat, and shop at the 1896 Victorian mansion called “Tennessee’s Biltmore” by PBS. It was built by Gorilla Pants manufacturer Clay Faulkner, and some say his friendly ghost remains. Open daily 9-5. Special entertainment for motorcoach groups. Call 931-668-4444 or visit online at http://www.falconrest.travel/.

Golfing

Designed by Jerry Lemons, The Reserve At Collins River is a championship golf course and a true work of art. The unique design follows the topography which has been formed by nature over millions of years. Each hole has been seamlessly groomed to suit the gentle terrain. Where once stood a landscape nursery farm with thousands of trees and shrubbery is now a most beautiful and challenging golf course. Call 931-668-7749 or visit online at http://www.collinsriver.com/.

Stonehaus Winery

Stonehaus Winery is located high atop Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau.

Stonehaus Winery is open to visitors 7 days a week year-round. Taste fine wines from the dry Merlot to the fruity Muscadine. Watch a free DVD tour of the winery. All aspects of the wine making process are covered from the history of Stonehaus, the grape growing, the crushing of grapes, the wine making process, and the bottling process.

If you would prefer to take a personally guided tour, you may contact the winery and make an appointment.

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Boy Scouts purchase 1600 acres on Cumberland Plateau

By: Katie Allison Granju, Producer
Date created: 5/16/2007 12:45:41 PM
Last updated: 5/16/2007 12:46:25 PM

THE TENNESSEAN

The Boy Scouts of America have purchased 1,600 acres on the Cumberland Plateau about two hours east of Nashville for a wilderness and adventure "reservation."

About 300 acres of cleared land and more than 1,200 acres of pine and hardwood forest will be available for camping, hiking and other activities, according to information the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts released today.

The deal, including the land, interest on loans, renovations and equipment, is costing roughly $7 million. Since the land is surrounded by 50,000 acres of public property, including Fall Creek Falls State Park and the Bridgestone-Firestone Centennial Wilderness Area, it offers even more in the way of caving, rock climbing, rappelling, fishing and kayaking, the group said."We are thrilled to secure this pristine wilderness on the Cumberland Plateau for the next generation of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers and Explorers to explore and enjoy, along with the many other state and private groups with whom we plan to collaborate," Joe Long, executive director of the local Scouting group, said in an emailed statement."

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