Tennessee: Nolichucky River Detour

NC, TN | Detour

*UPDATED*

67 DAYS AGO

11/23/2025

The Chestoa Bridge that carried the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) over the Nolichucky River was swept away during Hurricane Helene in the fall of 2024 (NOBO mile 344.6).  The ATC, U.S. Forest Service, and officials with the town of Erwin and Unicoi County have been working with the Tennessee Department of Transportation on plans for the new bridge.  

Since bridge construction is expected to begin in 2026 and truck traffic has greatly reduced in the area, a ferry service will not be offered again in 2026. Hikers can either follow the road walk detour (3.6 miles) or shuttle around.  

The Nolichucky River Detour: See the map below. Be extremely careful when walking along the road.

Total detour length = 3.6 miles

NOBO (northbound) Directions:

  1. Come out of the woods and turn left on Unaka Springs Rd/River Road and walk 0.5 mi to Temple Hill Rd/TN 36. You’ll walk right past Uncle Johnny’s Hostel.
  2. Turn right on Temple Hill Rd and follow for 0.8 mi to the Jackson Love Highway.
  3. Turn right on Jackson Love Highway and follow for 0.5 mi to Love Station Rd.
  4. Take the sharp right on Love Station Road/Carolina Ave and follow for 0.5 mi to Chestoa Pike.
  5. Turn right on Chestoa Pike and follow for 1.3 mi back to the other side of the washed out bridge. The A.T. heads back up into the woods to the left, off Jones Branch Rd just past the intersection.

SOBO (southbound) Directions:

  1. Come out of the woods on Jones Branch Rd, just off the intersection with Chestoa Pike. Take a right onto Chestoa Pike and follow it 1.3 miles to Love Station Rd/Carolina Ave.
  2. Turn left into Love Station Rd and follow for 0.5 mi to the Jackson Love Highway.
  3. Turn left on Jackson Love Highway and follow for 0.5 mi to Temple Hill Rd/TN 36.
  4. Turn left on Temple Hill Rd and follow for 0.8 mi to Unaka Springs Rd/River Rd.
  5. Turn left on Unaka Springs Rd and follow for 0.5 mi. Just past Uncle Johnny’s and the intersection with Chestoa Pike where the bridge was, the A.T. goes up the hill into the woods on the right side of the road.

 

Nolichucky River Helene Detour

For more information about damage from Hurricane Helene and Trail conditions in storm-damaged sections, visit our Helene Trail Alert.