If you’re looking to have an adventure in Chattanooga, Tennessee, you’ve come to the right place! This city has more than 400 miles of hiking trails, so there’s something here for you, no matter how much experience you have in hiking or how fit you are.
Best Hiking Trails in Chattanooga
We’ve put together this list of the best hikes in Chattanooga to help you pick one that matches your skill level and interests. Happy hiking!
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1) Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge
- Length: 1.4 miles
- Elevation gain: 164 feet
- Time to complete: 35 minutes
For those looking to enjoy a short hike, check out the first stop on our list. The Tennessee Riverpark is a great place to enjoy a beautiful view and spend some time outdoors. Located right by Ross’s Landing, you can easily walk from downtown or take your car to enjoy an even more scenic view.
It is a great place to take your dog, enjoy some time outdoors with friends and family, or even go on a romantic date. The view is beautiful, and you can see downtown and Signal Mountain from different vantage points.
The trail is relatively easy, and you can enjoy it with friends and family. There are several benches along the way if you need to take a break or want to sit down and enjoy a moment.
2) Snoopers Rock Trail
- Length: 5.9 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,167 feet
- Time to complete: 3 hours
It’s easy to see why so many locals and tourists flock to Snooper’s Rock, a short but immensely rewarding trail that takes you along a rocky bluff above one of Chattanooga’s most popular swimming holes.
Once you park, multiple trails lead down to various points along Ross Creek. The main trail is about a mile long (round trip), with several spur trails leading off into other parts of Fort Wood.
The best views are from above, where you can look out over downtown and across to Lookout Mountain; on clear days, even Knoxville is visible in the distance.
This is a busy trail, especially during peak season (May through September), so be prepared to find parking and see other people on the trail.
3) Stringer’s Ridge via Blue Trail
- Length: 3.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 508 feet
- Time to complete: 1-2 hours
If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, consider Stringers Ridge. This is a longer trail (5 miles round trip) with some steeper sections, but the views from the top are worth it.
The trail itself is mostly wooded, with some open areas near the top. You can take several different routes to the summit, so you can explore a bit and find the one that works best for you.
Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the city and surrounding mountains.
The views from the top are breathtaking, and you can see for miles in all directions. It’s also a great trail for mountain biking; the different routes offer a variety of challenges for all skill levels.
This is a more challenging hike, with some steep sections. It’s also a longer trail, so be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks.
4) Blowing Wind Falls
- Length: 2.8 miles
- Elevation gain: 649 feet
- Time to complete: 1-2 hours
This short but sweet trail takes you to one of Chattanooga’s best-kept secrets: a hidden waterfall tucked away in the woods. The trail itself is only about a half-mile long, but it’s fairly steep in places.
When you reach the falls, you can cool off with a swim or enjoy the peace and quiet of this hidden oasis.
The waterfall is beautiful and secluded, and it’s a great place to cool off on a hot day. The trail is also relatively short, so it’s a good option if you don’t have a lot of time to spare.
This is a fairly steep trail, but it’s short enough that it’s doable for most people. However, there are some steep drop-offs near the waterfall, so use caution if you have small children or dogs with you.
5) Glen Falls Trail
- Length: 2.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 554 feet
- Time to complete: 1 hour
If you want to really get away from it all, head to the Glen Falls Trail at Lookout Mountain. This trail will take you to the top of one of Chattanooga’s most popular tourist attractions, and the views are simply stunning.
The trail is about 3 miles long, and while it’s not overly strenuous, there are some steep sections. Once you reach the top, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the city, river, and mountains beyond.
The views from the top are incredible, and it’s a great place to watch the sunset. There’s also a historic civil war site at the top, so you can learn a bit of history while you’re there.
This is a moderate hike with some steep sections. It’s also a bit longer than some of the other trails on this list, so be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks.
6) Lula Lake Land Trust
- Length: 4.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 623 feet
- Time to complete: 2 hours
This is a great option if you’re looking for a longer hike. The Lula Lake Land Trust offers more than 15 miles of trails, so you can explore to your heart’s content.
The trails wind through the woods and offer a variety of scenery, from rocky outcrops to peaceful lakes. You can also find two waterfalls along the way, so be sure to keep your camera handy.
This is a moderate hike with some terrain that can be challenging in places. However, there are several different trails to choose from, so you can find one that’s a good fit for your fitness level.
7) Greeter Falls
- Length: 1.1 miles
- Elevation gain: 262 feet
- Time to complete: 1 hour
This trail will take you to one of the most popular waterfalls in the area. It’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for an easy hike with a waterfall at its end. The falls are about 15 feet tall and drop into a 50-foot pool surrounded by rocks and trees.
It makes for a beautiful spot to spend some time on your hike, especially during summer when there are fewer leaves on surrounding trees, so you can get better views.
This short, family-friendly hike is great for novice hikers or those looking to get back into hiking after being away from it for a while. It has a steady incline that doesn’t leave you feeling worn out, and it leads you through woods and along ridges with lovely views of other waterfalls around. As you climb to Greeter Falls, you’ll also see rhododendron, mountain laurel, maples, oaks, and beech trees.
This is an easy, family-friendly hike with a moderate incline. It’s about 1 mile long and takes around 45 minutes to complete.
8) Cravens House Loop Trail
- Length: 3.4 miles
- Elevation gain: 679 feet
- Time to complete: 1-2 hours
This is another great option for those looking for an easy, family-friendly hike. The Cravens House trail is located in Point Park Visitor Ctr, Lookout Mountain, and can be accessed from Point Park Rd.
The trail is a short, 0.5-mile loop that leads you to the historic Cravens House. This house was built in 18 and was used as a Union Army outpost during the civil war. It’s now a museum, and it’s open to the public on weekends.
This short, easy hike is great for all fitness levels. It’s also a great option if you’re looking to learn more about the area’s history.
This is an easy, flat hike that’s less than a mile long. It should take you around 30 minutes to complete.
9) Fiery Gizzard Trail to Raven’s Point
- Length: 11.4 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,459 feet
- Time to complete: 5 hours
This trail is one of the most popular in the area, and for a good reason. The Fiery Gizzard trail is located in Tennessee, USA, and it’s a great option for those looking for a longer hike. The trail is 12.5 miles long, and it takes you through a variety of scenery, from forests to streams. The trail is also home to a variety of wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for deer, birds, and other animals.
This is a great option for those looking for a longer hike. It’s also a beautiful trail, with plenty of opportunities to see wildlife.
This is a moderate to difficult hike, depending on your fitness level. It’s over 12 miles long, so it will take you several hours to complete.
10) Cumberland Trail: Strip Mine Falls
- Length: 2.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 649 feet
- Time to complete: 1-2 hours
This 2.7-mile trail near Soddy Daisy is moderately challenging. It’s a popular area for hiking and trail running, so you’re likely to encounter other people while exploring it.
This hike is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the water along the creek. It’s a really interesting trail with lots of rocks and small waterfalls.
11) Raccoon Mountain Reservoir Loop
- Length: 13.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,414 feet
- Time to complete: 5-6 hours
Raccoon Mountain is one of many hills in a series of north-south trending ridges on Lookout Mountain. The hill is also home to several other popular trails, including North and South Plateau Loop Trails, Bluff Trail, and Sunset Rock Overlook.
This is a great hike for beginners and families with children because it’s short, easy to navigate, has beautiful views of Chattanooga, and offers plenty of scenic photo opportunities.
The best part about hiking to Raccoon Mountain is that it’s easy to get to. If you live in Chattanooga, it’s only a 30-minute drive from downtown.
The trail is not difficult at all. There are a few steep areas, but they’re short and easy to navigate. The trail is relatively flat with only a few slight inclines, so it’s great for families with children or beginners who want to get their feet wet on a hike. You can do it all in about 2 hours if you move quickly.
12) Suck Creek Road to Mushroom Rock
- Length: 3.8 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,210 feet
- Time to complete: 2 hours
It features stunning views of Lookout Mountain, which are sure to take your breath away. It also features two rock outcroppings called Mushroom Rock and Suck Creek Rock.
These areas are quite popular with hikers because they offer incredible views of Lookout Mountain. If you’re planning on hiking here, you should be aware that there are some fairly steep sections along the way, so make sure you wear appropriate footwear to avoid injury or discomfort.
The hike is challenging, and you’ll need to be prepared. You’ll want to wear good boots or shoes and bring plenty of water with you.
13) The Tennessee River Walk
- Length: 2.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 118 feet
- Time to complete: 1 hour
This trail in downtown Chattanooga is an easy route. It’s a popular trail for hiking, biking, and trail running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of the day. It’s a nice walk in an urban setting. The trail is also perfect for running or biking or walking your dog, so be sure to bring your favorite gear with you before you head out.
14) Ropers Rock and Bluff Trail
- Length: 8.9 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,154 feet
- Time to complete: 4 hours
The Ropers Rock lookout is a short but sweet hike locatedLookout Mountain. You’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the city and the Tennessee River from the top, making it well worth the effort.
The scenic overlook is especially popular with photographers and birdwatchers, as it’s a great place to snap some pictures or spot rare birds.
The Ropers Rock lookout is a great choice for those who want to experience stunning views without spending hours on the trail. It’s also a good option if you’re short on time but still want to get in a good workout. The rocky outcroppings at the top make for some great photo ops.
15) Greenway Farms Loop
- Length: 2 miles
- Elevation gain: 59 feet
- Time to complete: 1 hour
The Greenway Farms Loop is a short but sweet hike that’s perfect for those who want to enjoy some scenic views without venturing too far from town. The loop winds through a beautiful hardwood forest and past several picturesque ponds before arriving at an overlooking of the Tennessee River.
Along the way, you’ll also have the chance to spot some wildlife, including deer, squirrels, and birds.
Conclusion
These are the 15 best hikes in Chattanooga for adventure seekers. Whether you’re looking for a challenging workout or a leisurely stroll, a hike on this list is perfect for you. So what are you waiting for? Grab your hiking boots and get ready to explore everything Chattanooga has to offer!