Tour the Appalachian Quilt Trail in Sneedville, TN

Tour the Appalachian Quilt Trail in Sneedville, TN for a relaxing drive almost anytime of year. Home and Farm calls it a "backyard treasure."

Late fall is a good time for quilt viewing in this area. After the leaves drop it can be easier to spot the brightly colored quilt squares that decorate the farms and businesses on the way. Of course, spring, early fall and summer are good times to visit as well. Snow and ice may make the visit impossible during the winter.

The Appalachian Quilt Trail is a collection of brightly painted quilt squares. These are scattered throughout the Appalachia countryside. They shine in Sneedville and Hancock County.

Quilt squares grace barns, houses and businesses. Each one is related in East Tennessee traditions. Some panels are a relatively small 8X8 panel or smaller. Other cover an entire side of a barn or other building.

I first heard about the trail development a few years ago. A group of Jefferson County, TN citizens teamed up with the Clinch-Powell RC&D to develop the trail there. I've been hooked on the Appalachian Quilt Trail from the moment I attended the hanging of the first square in Jefferson County.

Hubby and I recently visited Sneedville and found some of the quilt squares on the Appalachian Quilt Trail. We've been to the town before. As always, we're looking forward to going back. The meandering journey is as interesting as the destination. Be sure to keep your camera at the ready.

Sneedville is one of the reasons for the term "off the beaten path". It's in the Appalachian Mountains of Hancock, TN. You'll need to specifically be going there to find it. The main routes will take you through scenic mountains and along creed beds and rivers. Here is the location on Google Maps.

Please remember that you are in the mountains. Trees, hills and mountains all work against technology. It can be difficult to maintain a cell phone signal.

Food can be picked up in either Sneedville or Rogersville, TN. Some travelers will want to bring a picnic or sandwiches with them. Restaurants are mostly mom and pop but there are a few recognizable brand names. Gas is available in either Sneedville or Rogersville. If you are traveling the Appalachian Quilt Trail in Sneedville your best bet is to tank up before you get there.

There are 35 quilt squares on the Appalachian Quilt Trail. Four of these are in the town of Sneedville. More are in Rogersville and throughout the county. Be sure to pick up a copy of the Appalachian Quilt Trail Vacation Guide to find them all.

You can download the Appalachian Quilt Trail Vacation Guide online. It's a huge file with lots of color. You may want to download all of it and print each section as you need it.

The Appalachian Quilt Trail Vacation Guide can be picked up at Tennessee rest area visitor centers. We got our copy at a center. It looked in intriguing. If you take the driving tour you'll be hooked took. Finding the squares is like searching for treasure or participating in a scavenger hunt. It's just fun.

Here are some of the Appalachian Quilt Trail squares that we found in Sneedville, Tennessee. All of them are listed in the vacation guide. Some of our photos are found with this article.

Sneedville area Appalachian Quilt Squares

Barn Mural '" This patriotic mural covers the entire side of the barn. We were surprised that anyone could paint that far up the sides with such detail. Look for it on the way.

8 Pointed Star - Jubilee Community Center which is part of the Jubilee Project.

Harrison's Dawn Star '" This is on the road just as you get into Sneedville.

Cowboy Star at Elrod Falls '" We saw this one on the Appalachian Quilt Trail on the way to Sneedville.

Gordian Knot '" This is at the Clinch-Powell Community Kitchen and is part of the Jubilee Project Mission.

There are at least 31 other panels on the Appalachian Quilt Trail in Hancock County that we missed. After leaving Sneedville we heard about one on Jail St. and a few others in town. That's what I call a good excuse to visit again soon.

Sources:
Personal Experience
Google Maps
Staff at the Jubilee Center
Tennessee Vacation
Tennessee Home and Farm
Welcome Center Staff
Appalachian Quilt Trail Vacation Guide