Stone Mountain State Forest Ridge Runner Circuit

Stone Mountain rises like a granite fortress from Tennessee’s eastern highlands, its summit trails threading between house-sized boulders and through stands of old-growth hemlock. This challenging circuit climbs the mountain’s north face via an abandoned logging road, then follows the ridge line past Buzzard Rock — a granite dome offering 360-degree views into three states. The descent down Panther Creek Gorge tests traction control through moss-covered rock gardens.

Expert-level terrain demanding modified 4WD with winch and recovery gear — the granite slabs get greasy when wet and offer no forgiveness for poor lines. Late summer through early fall provides the most stable conditions; winter ice makes the route impassable. Tennessee Division of Forestry requires no permits but enforces seasonal closures to protect wildlife. You earn some of the state’s most spectacular mountain vistas, technical driving that’ll push your skills, and solitude in Tennessee’s wildest state forest.