Graves’ Battery to French’s Battery Trail at Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Length: 1 mile (one way)
Time:  45 minutes
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous

For those really into the Civil War, a trail between the Graves’ Battery and French’s Battery stops on the Fort Donelson National Battlefield Tour provides the only hiking opportunity in the park to see historical points of interest that cannot be reached in a vehicle. The trail follows the central section of the Confederate outer line of defensive trenches (aka earthworks) built to protect Fort Donelson from a land attack. While whittled down by over 160-plus years of erosion, the earthworks are still distinct.

Graves’ Battery, an artillery battery commanded by Captain Rice Graves, is situated on the westernmost of three hills covered on the hike. From there the trail runs down into a ravine and immediately back up to the top of a hill where Maney’s Battery was located (the only way to see Maney’s Battery is on this hike). From Maney’s Battery the trail drops down into another ravine before climbing to the top of the easternmost hill at French’s Battery, which was commanded by Captain David Alexander French.

Exhibits at Graves’ Battery, Stop 7 on the Fort Donelson National Battlefield Tour

The Graves’ Battery to French’s Battery Trail is a 1-mile out-and-back trail, so unless you have a ride at the other end, you’re in for a 2-mile round trip hike. The best place to start is at Graves’ Battery, Stop 7 on the battlefield tour. This is because there is more parking at this location than at French’s Battery, which has a road-side pullout big enough for only two vehicles.

The entire hike between Graves’ Battery and French’s Battery is up and down large hills with elevation changes as much as 150 feet in no more than a quarter mile. As mentioned, there are three hills in total, and at the top of each hill was a Confederate artillery battery. I started the hike from Graves’ Battery, and this report is written from that perspective.

For the majority of the hike, the trail is as wide as a dirt road, usually grassy, and has a very smooth surface with minimal rocks and roots. It is a pleasure to hike, and everyone should be able to proceed full speed ahead without worrying much about stepping on something and twisting an ankle.

Typical terrain on the trail between Graves’ and French’s batteries at Fort Donelson National Battlefield

The trail begins along a path of mowed grass that quickly disappears into the forest, though the trail itself remains grass. It heads down a rather steep hill—like a ski slope–from the start, levels out briefly, then continues downhill until coming to Indian Creek roughly a quarter mile from the start.

Graves’ Battery trailhead for the Grave’s Battery to French’s Battery Trail at Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Footbridge over Indian Creek on the trail from Graves’ Battery to French’s Battery at Fort Donelson National Battlefield

About a minute’s walk past the creek is Sandy Road. The trail continues directly on the other side, and there is a Confederate tablet at the start. Tablets give historical information about the strength of armies and troop movement during the battle. Red tablets contain Confederate troop information and blue tables Union troop information. Nearly all of the tablets at Fort Donelson National Battlefield are Confederate tablets, which is unusual.

Intersection of the Graves’ Battery to French’s Battery Trail and Sandy Road, Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Confederate tablet at Fort Donelson National Battlefield

For the next third of a mile, the hike is uphill all the way to Maney’s Battery. You’ll get your first good look at the remnants of the Confederate trenches, which run continuously along most of the trail from this point on. As mentioned, the earthworks are now quite small. If not pointed out, to the untrained eye they would seem as nothing more than natural gullies.

Remnants of Confederate Trenches at Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Maney’s Battery comes at .6 mile into the hike. Its location is marked by more tablets.

Maney’s Battery at Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Maney’s Battery at Fort Donelson National Battlefield

The hike to French’s Battery is just more of the same: down a steep hill for a quarter mile into a ravine and then immediately back up a steep hill for a quarter mile to French’s Battery. The trail remains wide, grassy, and smooth. There are trenches along the trail nearly the entire way.

Final hill up to French’s Battery at Fort Donelson National Battlefield

If you decide to start the hike at French’s Battery, from the parking area walk to the back of the large field where a cannon, tablets, and wayside exhibits are located. The trailhead is on the right side of the field.

Field of exhibits at French’s Battery, Stop 8 on the Fort Donelson National Battlefield Tour

French’s Battery trailhead for the Graves’ Battery to French’s Battery Trail at Fort Donelson National Battlefield

If you don’t mind a hilly hike, the Graves’ Battery to French’s Battery Trail is actually quite nice. I love the wide, grass path, and the forest is not very dense and has a floor void of unruly brush and weeds, which is my favorite kind of forest. And there is some history to see along the way as well. I hiked the trail with a friend and had one of our vehicles parked at French’s battery, so not having to walk back and see the same things twice topped off a rather enjoyable hike in early October. It most likely would not have been as enjoyable in the middle of the summer.

Typical terrain on the Graves’ Battery to French’s Battery Trail at Fort Donelson National Battlefield

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