Top 10 Hiking And Trekking Spots In Chattanooga, Tennessee

hiking in chattanooga
Alfred
Alfred 
Updated
| 5 min read

Chattanooga is a city set in Southern Tennessee astride the Tennessee River, just below the Appalachian Mountains. Point Park at the top of Lookout Mountain is famous as a Civil War battle site with its rich history now stored at the Battles for Chattanooga Museum. Chattanooga has many nicknames, but perhaps the most official one is the ‘Scenic City’. In 1941, Chattanooga was featured in a famous song, “Chattanooga Choo Choo” by Glenn Miller. Other than its Civil War history, Chattanooga is a major tourist destination boasting many attractions including Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Zoo,Pl and Museum of American Art. Chattanooga is also hiker’s paradise with numerous beautiful trails that mark the amazing landscape. Here’s our rundown of the top hiking and trekking trails in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

1. Blue Blazes Trail

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Blue Blazes Trail is a 3-mile (4.8 Km) loop trail in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The trail is rated as easy and thus perfect for all ages. You can also bring your dog for a hike, but you have to keep it on a leash. Blue Blazes Trail runs through the beautiful wilderness with a superb view of the Tennessee River, and offers a quiet, serene environment where you can escape the noise of the city for a day. Hiking the whole trail will take approximately one hour of your time and you can start the hike from either direction from the trailhead at the parking lot.

Blue Blazes Trail

Address: 409 Moccasin Bend Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37405, United States

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2. Stringers Ridge via Blue Trail

Posted by Smallgroup Hiking on Tuesday, 3 September 2019

Stringers Ridge is a 92-acre (37.2 hectares) Preservation Easement overlooking the Tennessee River and downtown Chattanooga. Stringers Ridge via Blue Trail is the most hiked 6.1 km (3.8 miles) trail that features moderate ascents with some descending sections. The trail is open for hiking activities including trail running and biking throughout the year and is rated as moderate. This trail is a great treat for families, even those with young children, as it is quite smooth and without any technical sections that would pose any challenges. The closeness of the trail to downtown Chattanooga makes it convenient and easy to access even without the use of a motor vehicle.

Stringers Ridge via Blue Trail

Address: Spears Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37405, United States

Website: Stringers Ridge via Blue Trail

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3. Renaissance Park

Chattanooga Renaissance Park
Source: Photo by user Michael Miller used under CC BY 2.0

Renaissance Park is a reclaimed industrial area that was established as a city park in 2008, in downtown Chattanooga along the north shore area. The park is a 28 acre (11 ha) facility that features grown grasses, wetlands, hiking paths, and biking trails. The Renaissance Park Trail is a moderately used 0.8 km (0.5 miles) path that is accessible throughout the seasons and is perfect for everyone including the young and the old. With several pathways, elevated viewing points, picnic tables, and grills, this is the perfect location to bring your family or friends for an enjoyable experience close to town.

Renaissance Park

Address: 133 River St, Chattanooga, TN 37405, United States

Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)

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4. High Voltage Trail

Posted by Erik Rippon on Saturday, 14 July 2018

Are you looking for a perfect workout while enjoying all that nature has to offer? If yes, then gear up and get ready for an amazing hike along the High Voltage Trail in the Raccoon Mountains near Chattanooga, Tennessee. This amazing trail rated as moderate is 13 km (8 miles) round trip and is very popular for hiking and biking. The hike through this trail which features a lake starts close to the boat ramp heading to the mountain top. From the top of the mountain, you will have a panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding areas below. Do not forget to bring along your digital camera as the view is very picturesque and worth recording.

High Voltage Trail

Address: High Voltage, Tennessee 37419, USA

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5. Old Incline Trail and Mountain Beautiful Trail Loop

Posted by Colby Glass on Sunday, 8 December 2019

If you enjoy hiking through the forest, then Old Incline Trail and Mountain Trail Loop is waiting for you in Chattanooga. While on the trail, expect to bump into several other hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers and even rock climbers - this would surely attest to its popularity as a perfect destination for many. The trail loop which is 1.8 km (1.1 miles) has an elevation gain of 98 meters (322 feet) and is considered an easy route that is perfect for hiking, walking and nature trips. It can be used by all skill levels, perhaps you can bring your entire family for a natural treat.

Old Incline Trail and Mountain Beautiful Trail Loop

Address: Chattanooga, Tennessee

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6. Upper Truck Trail to Bluff Trail Loop

Posted by Suite Comfort on Thursday, 23 November 2017

What do you think of hiking with a chance to see wildlife? I would say it’s an awesome opportunity worth grabbing. Hiking the Upper Truck Trail to Bluff Trail loop will offer you a marvelous chance of bird watching as you meander through the trail. You are allowed to bring your dog for a hike, but remember it must be kept on a leash. The difficulty level along this 6.4 km (4 miles) trail loop is rated as moderate, with an elevation gain of 268 meters (879 feet), thus suitable for diverse age groups. The trail also features wide paths that allow sunning as you proceed.

Upper Truck Trail to Bluff Trail Loop

Address: Chattanooga, Tennessee

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7. Skyuka and Bluff Trails Loop

Skyuka Spring

Posted by Colby Glass on Sunday, 8 December 2019

Are you fond of hiking with your lovely dog? Well, there is good news for you as you can bring him along for a hiking expedition along Syuka and Bluff Trail Loop. All you have to do is to keep him on a leash throughout the hike. This trail loop situated near Chattanooga is 17.4 km (10.8 miles) long and traverses a beautiful forest setting that will no doubt give you a proper cover from the sun on a hot summer day. Rated as difficult, the trail loop is perfect for seasoned hikers who are able to maneuver through the challenging sections.

Skyuka and Bluff Trails Loop

Address: Chattanooga, Tennessee

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8. Sunset Rock via Bluff Trail

Posted by Hike The South on Sunday, 28 April 2013

Sunset Rock via Bluff Trail is a heavily used trail situated near Lookout Mountain Tennessee. To hike the whole 5.5 km (3.4 miles) stretch of the trail, with an elevation gain of 179 meters (587 feet), will take approximately two hours of your time. This kid-friendly trail is perfect for diverse activities including mountain biking, nature trips, walking, running and hiking. Though there are rocky sections, metal steps have been erected to keep you steady as you enjoy the hiking experience. The trail is accessible all year round, thus you can enjoy your hiking expedition through the amazing forest setting any time as per your convenience.

Sunset Rock via Bluff Trail

Address: 405 W Brow Rd, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350, United States

Website: Sunset Rock via Bluff Trail

Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)

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9. Craven's House Loop Trail


A hike through Craven’s House Loop Trail is a walk through history. Considered among the best things to do in Chattanooga, the hike merges nature and Civil War history to bring out an unforgettable experience through the wilderness. The well-maintained trail begins from the historical Craven’s House overlooking Chattanooga and be sure to learn lots of history as you meander along the away. As you hike along, you will be rewarded with an opportunity to explore the historical old Camp Demaray of the 1930s. The trail is 7.2 km (4.5 miles), with an elevation gain of 892 feet (272 meters).

Craven's House Loop Trail

Address: Point Park Visitor Ctr, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350, United States

Website: Craven’s House Loop Trail

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10. Point Park and Craven's House Loop

Chattanooga Cravens house
Source: Photo by user Hal Jespersen used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

There is nothing awesome like hiking Point Park and Craven’s House Loop Trail at the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Park in Chattanooga. The scenic loop rewards you with amazing views from the sides of Lookout Mountain as you meander the trail, which ultimately descends besides outcropping rocks towards the historical Craven’s House. If you are feeling more adventurous, you can branch off to Sunset Rock just for the extra thrill. Hiking along this loop can either begin from Point Park trailhead or the Craven’s House trailhead, whichever way you start, you must pay a fee to access Point Park.

Point Park and Craven's House Loop

Address: Point Park Visitor Ctr, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350, United States

Website: Point Park and Craven’s House Loop

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Go hiking in Chattanooga

Rock City, Chattanooga, Tennessee 2
Source: Photo by user Snickersnack30 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Experiencing Chattanooga, Tennessee, in a normal way like, say a city tour, a road trip or park visit may still be an enjoyable experience. But how about trying a whole different perspective? With Chattanooga’s amazing landscape replete with several awesome trails, hiking and trekking adventure here will reward you with an experience of a lifetime.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Alfred is a freelance writer delighted to be a part of the Trip 101 team. He is focused on gathering experience to enable him to vividly depict the world around us. Alfred's content creation aims...Read more

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