The trail crosses various trout rivers along its path including Shallowford Bridge and The Swinging Bridge over the Toccoa River in GA, the Ocoee, Hiwassee, Upper Bald and Tellico Rivers in TN and the Little Tennessee River in NC. It also crosses Eagle, Hazel, Forney, Noland and Big Creeks in the Smokies, along with Fontana Dam and the Oconaluftee River.