Bledsoe State Forest Telegraph Road Historic Circuit

The old telegraph road that carried Union communications across the Cumberland Plateau in 1863 now serves as a rugged jeep trail through Bledsoe State Forest’s 9,000 acres of ridges and hollows. This route follows the original military grade through dense hardwood forest, past sandstone rock houses where Confederate scouts once hid, and over Grindstone Ridge where you’ll find remnants of Civil War earthworks. The trail crosses three seasonal streams and climbs to overlooks that reveal why this high ground was so strategically valuable during the war.

Easy to moderate difficulty suitable for stock high-clearance vehicles, though spring rains can make the creek crossings interesting. Best explored March through November when the streams are manageable and the forest roads are in good shape. No permits needed, and primitive camping is allowed throughout the forest. Bring a GPS since the historical markers are sparse and some turns aren’t obvious. This 18-mile circuit gives you Civil War history, technical ridge running, and some of the best fall colors in middle Tennessee without fighting crowds at more popular battlefields.