Departures from Etowah
Hiwassee River Rail Adventure service is in addition to Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s many excursions and special events based in Chattanooga, offered from Etowah, Tennessee. View the Hiwassee Map.
Ride with us on the historic Hiwassee River Railroad scenic rail excursion through the unspoiled Cherokee National Forest, along beautiful and scenic Hiwassee River, and through the secluded Hiwassee River Gorge. All trips include riding around an engineering marvel: The Great Hiwassee Loop. At the top you'll be passing over a bridge 62 feet above the tracks on which you've just traveled, as the rails negotiate a spiraling formation.
The Loop track has been known by many names, Great Hiwassee Loop and Bald Mountain Loop to name a few, but you'll call it amazing! All trips begin at the restored L&N Depot & Museum in Etowah, Tennessee. Passengers take a short shuttle ride to the train boarding location before transferring to the train. Once on board, the trip begins with a ride along the river until crossing in Reliance. Thus begins the circuitous route nestled between hillsides and the scenic river.
In warm weather you’ll enjoy waving at recreationalists riding in canoes, kayaks, rafts, and tubes as they drift with the current. When autumn arrives, the forest bursts forth in orange, yellow, and red hues. To round out the seasons, as the leaves fall from trees, the scenic vistas are opened up allowing views of the surrounding country as well as a glimpse of Apalachia Dam which is situated just a
cross the North Carolina border.
For those riders choosing a trip to Copperhill, the route continues beyond Farner, through Turtletown and Ducktown to the border towns of Copperhill, Tennessee and McCaysville, Georgia. Aboard the Hiwassee River Rail Adventure, you’ll enjoy traveling on one of the Southeast’s most scenic railroads. To learn more about the history of Hiwasee click here.
Special rates available for groups of 25 or more, and charter trips can be arranged for groups of 80 or more. Please contact the TVRM office at (423) 894-8028 ext. zero or complete our Group Information Form for more information on trips, dates, pricing, and routes.
Hiwassee Loop
Enjoy a 50-mile round trip up the beautiful lower Hiwassee River gorge.
This 3-1/2 hour trip will take you to the top of the famous "Hiwassee Loop" where the tracks cross over themselves as they corkscrew up the mountain near Farner, Tennessee.
Copperhill Special
Take an extended day-trip excursion through the lower Hiwassee River Gorge, over the Hiwassee Loop, and on to the joint cities of Copperhill, TN, and McCaysville, GA. Total 94 miles roundtrip.
Rails To Rafts
Now available for those persons wishing to combine a train ride with Ocoee River whitewater rafting! "Rails To Rafts" runs in conjunction with 'Copperhill' dates only through September (not the Loop.)
Zip, Rail & Roll
New! Hiwassee River Rail Adventure and Raft One have teamed up to bring you '"Zip, Rail, & Roll." Hop aboard the train from Etowah, TN and ride to Ducktown where you will disembark from the train and go to Raft One for this exciting Zipline Canopy Tour. See the Cherokee National Forest from the treetops of an Eastern Pine Forest while harnessed to ensure safety. Minimum age/weight 10/70lbs; Maximum weight 270. ZR&R runs in conjunction with 'Copperhill' dates only through September (not Loop.)