MGTA acquires key property

Preliminary rendering of the MGT between Sewanee and Cowan

The Mountain Goat Trail Alliance has acquired the last section of railbed needed to extend the trail from Sewanee to Cowan.

“With this acquisition, the MGTA can finally plan to restore the first segment of the Mountain Goat Railroad, the part that gave the railroad its name in the 1850s, as an ADA-accessible multimodal greenway. This beautiful 7-mile section will be very popular with locals as well as visitors,” said Patrick Dean, MGTA executive director.

The segment contains waterfalls and a dramatic rock wall, and connects to Hawkins Cove State Natural Area. Tentative plans are to solicit bids for the section in early 2026, with construction to begin later in the year.