Twin Arches is in the region of Pickett State Park, which is near the north boundry of the state, east of center. If TN was divided into thirds, this would be in the eastern third. Pickett SP is alongside TN 154. The arches location is reached by going south of Picket SP on TN154 about a mile, then turning left onto a gravel road. There is a sign that says "Twin Arches." That road goes north-east. It is 3 miles to another gravel road on the right, which is the last section to the parking area for the arches trailhead. That section is two miles long.

This place is not far from Monticello, KY, which is down near Tennessee. The route to Pickett SP is a nice, scenic rural drive without a lot of traffic.

Not far from the trailhead, you come to this sign. The left fork takes you down and around to the bottom of the arches. Going straight will take you out on top of North Arch. From there, you can descend a stairway to the bottom. It is .7 mile either way.

There are some stairways to be encountered out there, either way you go. This is one.

Same stairway, looking up. I include these photos because some people might have trouble with stairways, or this many steps. There is another stairway, on the trail to the bottom of the arches. It is shorter, but fairly steep.

We took the trail that goes to the top of North Arch. This is a view from somewhere up there.

This is North Arch.

According to a Tennessee State website (http://www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/twinarch/) on these arches, the numbers are as follows:

North Arch:

• Height: 62'
• Clearance (inside): 51'
• Span (between feet): 93'

South Arch:

• Height: 103'
• Clearance: 70'
• Span: 135'

The arches are lined up end to end.

Another view of North Arch.

North Arch

South Arch. This one is more massive.

South Arch with people for scale.

Part of the trail that goes down to the bottom of the arches.

This is the narrow, steep stairway on that trail. If at the the sign near the beginning, you take the left fork, you will go down these stairs.

Going out, we took the straight fork and came out on top North Arch, then went down, and later took the other trail back up, ascending this stairway. We are not young, and we made it.

Twin Arches is a very neat place, and the walk from the parking area is not far. Not everybody can walk two or three miles to get to a special place. We enjoy an interesting walk that isn't very far, and it is nice to have some places that don't require a long walk. The stairs might be difficult for some people, so keep that in mind if thinking about going there. It might be better to go up the stairway shown to the right, rather than down. That's just my opinion.

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