Southern Settlement Scenic and Historical Trail

The Southern Settlement Trail highlights the Cumberland Gap. The Cumberland Gap is a narrow pass through the long ridge of the Cumberland Mountains, within the Appalachian Mountains, near the junction of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. It was the first gateway to the west. Many buffalo, Native Americans, long-hunters, pioneers and civil war soldiers traveled this route through the mountains to get from the north to the south. This scenic drive will take you by the Museum of Appalachia where the story of early pioneers come to life through the museum’s log structures and Hall of Fame. Other highlights include Norris Dam State Park, McCloud Mountain, the Elk View Tower, Cumberland Gap National Park, Abraham Lincoln Museum and Big Ridge State Park. Don’t forget to stop in the Appalachian Arts Craft Center to shop for hand crafted art. Click here for the Southern Settlement Map.