We Found This Magnificent Natural Wonder In Tennessee That’s Located Only .2 Miles From The Parking Lot

One beautiful summer day we did the Sewanee Natural Bridge hike and it was easy to see why many people have said this is a must-see natural wonder. The town itself was a charming little community and this hidden gem in Tennessee located in the forest was just the cherry on top. When you are looking for short and easy hikes in Tennessee this is a tough one to beat with very little work and a huge payoff.

We first started our journey by driving around town. Cruising up and down the streets of a small town can be a good indicator of the culture of the community. Sewanee residents are a proud group of folks who display their love for the college just about everywhere you look.

Sewanee’s University of the South was high on my list of places to see. The campus is filled with castle-like buildings and is honestly one of the prettiest colleges I have ever visited. I felt like I was stepping into a fantasy novel or walking the halls of Hogwarts. It was truly a magical place.

Just down the road from the beautiful spires of the college campus was the Sewanee Natural Bridge. We knew this hidden gem was waiting for us so we continued down the street. From the trailhead, you will walk down a set of stairs to this incredible arch.

My favorite part was that the trail leads directly to the top of the bridge! We were able to hike right over the thin section that spans 50 feet long and 25 feet above the ground.

I am pretty surefooted when it comes to large drop-offs and dare to approach ledges at death-defying heights... so I know I don’t speak for everyone when I say the narrow passageway over the arch was not scary. However, my wife -- who is much less comfortable with heights -- was cautiously optimistic and said it didn’t bother her either.

Once we were down below there were caves to explore carved out of the limestone and we had plenty of rocks to climb on. I just stood in awe of this massive structure while my kids jumped around the rocks.

It was a quick stop and we had plenty of other adventures planned that day but we took our time to fully soak in this glorious spot. Making time to slow down during an adventure day is a life-giving experience as we just listen to the birds chirping and the light blow of the breeze through the canopy above. This is the pace at which you notice little things like the sun peeking over the surface of the bridge or a brilliantly colored mushroom popping up throufh the rock crevices.

We were blessed to be able to stop at this location and is a very short hike I would highly recommend. This trail is technically located in the South Cumberland State Park and is the only natural bridge in South Cumberland State Park.

The Sewanee Natural Bridge hike was a blast for my family and me. With a short walk down the stairs, you can barely call this a "hike" -- and the pay-off is huge! Walking over the bridge was a big highlight for me and certainly is a memorable experience here in the Volunteer State. To see more about the trail to the Sewanee Natural Bridge make sure to download AllTrails for helpful and up-to-date user input. If you would like to see our full journey to this hidden natural wonder in Tennessee make sure to check out this Adventuring In The Moment video: