From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to fantastic lakes and mountains, our city has so many options to hit the trail. So lace up your hiking boots, because we’ve compiled a hiking guide for the Chattanooga area with 17 routes and trails to help you plan your next adventure and experience breathtaking views.
Note: While parks and trails may be listed as open, we recommend checking park websites before visiting for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area.
Key: Easy = 🥾| Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾
Signal Mountain
Rainbow Falls, Signal Point Park, 304 Ohio Ave.
Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 2.6-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: No
Located on Signal Mountain, this moderate hike leads to a waterfall that often showcases rainbows in its mist on sunny afternoons.
Signal Point Park, Signal Mountain
Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 5.1-mile out + back
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: No
This popular hike passes the historic Rainbow Lake on its way to Edwards Point + has panoramic views of the Tennessee River Gorge. A shorter alternative is a 3.6-mile round trip hike to Edwards Point from the Rainbow Lake trailhead.
Rainbow Lake to Edwards Point, Prentrice Cooper State Forest
Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 4.5-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: No
Hike this trail that features a waterfall. The trail is popular for all moods of hiking, walking + running — note: it takes an average of ~two hours to complete.
Edwards Point Trail, Prentrice Cooper State Forest
Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 3.8-mile out + back
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: No
One of the more popular trails in Chattanooga, this hike features multiple rock fixtures and ends with a beautiful view. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.
Enjoy views like this of the Lookout Mountain area when hiking these trails. | Photo by @hunterwhite_photography
Lookout Mountain
Lula Lake, Lula Lake Land Trust, 5000 Lula Lake Rd.
Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 4.6-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: No
Voted Chattanooga’s best hike by you, dear readers, Lula Lake actually has various trails to enjoy on its land. While Lula Lake’s Core Preserve — which includes Lula Falls + the lake itself — is only open on select dates, its other trail systems are open to the public daily.
Durham Mine Trails, Lula Lake Land Trust
Difficulty: Varying trails with varying difficulty levels
- Length: 15-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: No
Great for hiking and biking for all skill levels at the historic location of the former Durham Mines. This area is also one of the best places in Georgia to collect plant fossils — you might stumble across fossils during your hike or bike.
Note: while located in Lula Lake Land Trust, the parking lot is open to the public daily from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. for trail access — reservations are not required.
Glen Falls Trail, Chickamauga and Chattanooga Military National Park
Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 2.3-mile out + back
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: No
This hike features a rock and water formation to enjoy on hot summer days. Parking can be found on the side of Ochs Highway, but is sometimes scarce on busy days.
Prentice Cooper State Forest
Snoopers Rock Trail, Prentice Cooper State Forest
Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 5.9-mile out + back
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: No
Enjoy a mostly shaded trail from Indian Rockhouse to Snooper’s Rock with a couple of small water crossings. At the end, folks can see a beautiful view of the Tennessee River Gorge — the best times to visit this trail are March through October.
Ritchie Hollow to Snoopers Rock, 17805 River Canyon Rd.
Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 8-mile out + back
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: No
This is another long hike with a mountain view that pays off and 30-ft waterfall to tide you over on the way. For an easier-access point, folks can begin at Snoopers Rock.
Stringer’s Ridge
Stringer’s Ridge via Blue Trail, Spears Avenue, Chattanooga
Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 3.3-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: No
This trail system — conveniently located in the middle of town — is well-marked with signs to keep you on track. Make sure to check out one of the best views of Chattanooga at the lookout. Pro Tip: Watch out for mountain bikers while on the trail.
Cherokee and Strut Trail, Stringer’s Ridge Park
Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 2.4-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: No
A good trail for beginners and popular for birding, hiking, running + biking. The best times to visit this trail are April through September.
White Oak Connector Trail, Stringer’s Ridge Park
Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 2.9-mile out + back
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: No
An easy trail in the middle of Stringer’s Ridge Park that is typically secluded if folks want to enjoy some quiet hiking time. The trail is beautiful year-round.
South Cumberland State Park
Foster Falls Climbers Loop Trail, 498 Foster Falls Rd.
Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 2-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: No
This trail is great for hiking + rock climbing and will lead folks to the Fiery Gizzard Trail. Check it out all year long for beautiful views.
Fiery Gizzard Trail to Raven’s Point, South Cumberland State Park
Difficulty: 🥾🥾🥾
- Length: 11.4-mile loop
- Elevation gain: 1,459 ft
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: No
This trail features a 2-mile “boulder field” climb that’s sure to leave your legs burning. If you don’t feel like going the whole way but still want great views, start at Foster Falls + hike until you’re ready to turn back. The best times to visit this trail are April through November.
Grundy Day trail, South Cumberland State Park
Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 3-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: No
This trail is a great spot for birding, camping + fishing while seeing scenic river views. There are even many spots to take a dip in the water along the way.
Downtown Chattanooga
Tennessee Riverwalk, 201 Riverfront Pkwy.
Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 16.1-mile out + back
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Also known as the Tennessee Riverpark, this concrete trail follows the south bank of the Tennessee River. You will see runners, walkers, and cyclists.
South Chickamauga Creek Greenway, Tennessee River Park
Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 9.4-mile out + back
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes
This trail features boardwalks and pavement that is lightly traveled by cyclists and walkers. The clear and well-maintained trail makes it easy to view wildlife.
Bonus: There is access to public restrooms and parking.
Get the right gear
Get the most out of your trip with comfortable, handy, and helpful hiking gear:
- For the best footwear, check out Nordstrom Rack’s sneaker edit for hiking.
- If your trail demands a proper hiking boot, we like Columbia’s collection on Amazon.
- For apparel that’s both flattering and functional, we turn to small business Aesthetic Built. We love the oversized scuba hoodies for women and the muscle scallop tees for men.
- Travel light (but still have room for snacks) with lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag.
- Get a good bulk deal on Perfect Bars, Clif Bars, or Kind Bars at a warehouse store like Sam’s Club.
- Don’t forget to bring a compact, portable phone charger (you’ll thank us later).
- We like this Teton hiking backpack.
- We like this lightweight water bottle.
- Psst — to be ultra-prepared, here are the 10 items you should never enter a national park without, according to the National Park Service.
