The hidden tunnel at Kuwohi is becoming a tourist attraction in its own right
Nearly everyone who has visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is familiar with Kuwohi, formerly Clingmans Dome, and its famous observation tower, located along the state line of Tennessee and North Carolina. Completed in 1959, the tower is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains. It stands over 6,000 feet tall and offers 360-degree views. On clear days, guests can see almost 100 miles in any direction from the top of the tower. But have you heard of the secret abandoned hiking tunnel below Kuwohi, formerly Clingmans Dome?
The Kuwohi observation tower is famous in the Great Smoky Mountains. However, many people do not know about the abandoned tunnel below it. It’s a former underpass that was eventually cut off from the main trail. Now it serves as one of the hidden gems around the Smoky Mountains. It’s located near the road to Kuwohi, down the hill from the large stone bridge.
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The hidden tunnel at Kuwohi
There’s an old tunnel near Kuwohi, but it’s not exactly “under” it. You won’t readily find this old hiker’s tunnel on Google Maps. It’s a former hiker’s underpass that’s gone by many names as years have passed including Thomas Divide Tunnel, Thomas Ridge Tunnel, Old Mule Tunnel and simply The Hiker’s Tunnel. It was constructed in the mid to late 1930s by a group of young men known as the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The tunnel is made of locally sourced stone and features an ornate archway on either side of the road. The completion of Clingmans Dome Road required rerouting the trail. One option could have been rerouting the trail to cross Clingmans Dome Road on the roadbed. However, engineers decided to build the tunnel under the road. Alternatively, the Association also speculates that the tunnel may have been constructed for equestrian use. Some records show that it was used as a mule trail.
How the tunnel got cut off from the original trail
In the 1960s, the tunnel was cut off from the original trail and stranded due to the Mission ’66 initiative. It was the initiative’s mission to improve infrastructure across the entire national park system. That led to rerouting several old roads to improve overall driving conditions, including the upper section of Newfound Gap Road. This cut off the old trail, forcing the trailhead to be relocated further south. That’s why you won’t happen upon it unless you’re looking for it. It’s no longer part of any regular path or hiking trail. It leads to a cliff with a beautiful view where the other side of the trail once existed.
Today, it is one of the hidden gems around the Smoky Mountains that hikers enjoy finding. It’s an iconic landmark, a forgotten relic that is fun to discover, like the old fairy house from the Voorheis estate or relics from the ghost town in the Elkmont area.
How to find the secret tunnel
But just because you are unlikely to happen upon this secret tunnel on accident doesn’t mean it’s difficult to find if you know where to look. To find it, take Clingmans Dome Road until you reach the access gate. Park your car and walk approximately 0.2 miles up to the far side of Clingmans Dome Road. When you reach the large stone bridge that you’d normally drive across in your car, walk down the hill. You will spot the tiny abandoned tunnel.
Pro-tip: It might be a bit easier to access in the off-season when you know traffic won’t be an issue. Clingmans Dome Road usually closes from December to April. This will also make it harder to miss the gate landmark since the gate will be blocking vehicle access.
Note that Clingmans Dome was renamed to Kuwohi in Sept. 2024 and there is no word yet if the road name will also change.
Did you know about this secret tunnel in the Smokies of Tennesee and North Carolina? What are some of your favorite secret spots in the park? Let us know in the comments below.
RELATED VIDEO: The Secret Tunnel Under Clingmans Dome
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Wow,I’ve been there many times,I’m from S.C.an visit the Reservation to see family a couple times a month,also have lived in Cherokee N.C,a few times to,but never knew of this??When I go up,I always go over the mountian to Tennessee.I thought I had explored everything from Cherokee to Tennessee,But not this,Can’t wait to take my next trip, definitely a must do!!!
So glad to learn about the secret tunnel. There is always something interesting to learn about the Smokies.
It’s a piece of history regardless, they should make a way to it again so visitors can see it!
I found the secret tunnel this year. Just beautiful. Everyone needs to see this.
Park in front of the park service weather station. Follow the road towards Clingman Dome til you come to the rock bridge. It’s not a far walk. Maybe two city blocks Climb down under it. There it is.
Thanks for sharing… we just found the Fairy House and Troll Bridge this year… will add this to my “To Visit” list!
I would like to know more about the Fairy House and Troll Bridge..
I need directions to fairy house and troll bridge thank you
Hi Dennis, Please see these related articles:
http://www.thesmokies.com/house-of-the-fairies-gatlinburg/
http://www.thesmokies.com/troll-bridge/
This made me think of our current government as an analogy, going to nowhere. In the last few years it feels like our country has been torn apart leaving hardly a glimmer of unity overall. There are so many different factions, all ranting and raving about their cause, and everyone wants to fight. Seeing this tunnel to nowhere in the Smokies must be a really nice experience, but living this one in our country isn’t very nice.
Never been there only place in the smokies I haven’t seen love to go Sometime
Clingman’s Dome’s name was changed, but a lot of folks are probably going to urge the new president to change it back.
The restored name, Kuwohi, is a historical representative of the people and families who lived, work and enjoyed the land, and is deserving to have its true name back. And further feel that our new president will appreciate and respect the history of the land and leave the name honoring all persons who’re forged the land so many years ago.