This section of the Cumberland Trail will eventually climb from Emory River Gorge within the National Park Service (NPS)-administered Obed Wild and Scenic River (WSR) to the edge of the Cumberland Mountains in the town of Wartburg. Emory River Gorge marks the place where the current version of the Cumberland Trail departs from the trail’s original route.

Although only 1.3 miles of the CT have been constructed in this section to date, entirely within the Obed WSR, the section contains several gems. The iron bridge over the Emory River is piece of history saved only by the efforts of those with a long-term vision for the CT. The railroad tunnel overlook near the section’s north end is one of the most unique along the trail.