After exploring Rock City’s Enchanted Trails, discover Lookout Mountain’s other scenic paths. Lookout Mountain boasts over 30 miles of pristine trails in the Chattanooga area, providing a variety of adventures to choose from. Looking for a simple hike or a trail to push your limits? There’s a trail for everyone on Lookout Mountain—you just need to know where to look.
But before hitting the trails, keep in mind that hiking is not without risk. Lookout Mountain’s trails can be steep and often trace the edge of cliffs. What’s more, tree roots, rocks, wet spots and other hazards present even more danger. Use caution and good judgement at all times when out on a hike!
Short and sweet
Glen Falls
Want a quick hike that packs a punch? Glen Falls has you covered. This short out-and-back hike leads to the small but nonetheless impressive Glen Falls. You’ll start the 1.2-mile roundtrip trail on Ochs Highway about a mile and a half from Rock City. It’s a mostly downhill climb until you reach the falls, but it’s short, rewarding, and bursting with beauty. Save Glen Falls for after a rainy day, as the falls will likely be gushing.
Sunday stroll
Guild Trail-St. Elmo to Ruby Falls
Sometimes, an easy walk through the woods is all you need. That’s exactly what the Guild Trail offers. This gravel trail follows an old railroad grade along Lookout Mountain’s lower slopes, gradually climbing from the St. Elmo neighborhood to a point near Ruby Falls. From here, it connects with other trails that continue to the top of the mountain—but we’ll stick to the lower slopes for now.
Between St. Elmo and Ruby Falls, the Guild Trail ventures through a dense mountainside forest that offers occasional glimpses of downtown Chattanooga. You’ll even pass beneath a sloped wooden bridge—time it just right, and you’ll catch the Incline Railway gliding overhead.
The Guild Trail is best accessed from the trailhead on Ochs Highway or from the parking lot just below Ruby Falls. Each direction can be hiked in 45 minutes, making it a perfect hike that won’t leave you exhausted.
For history buffs
Upper Truck Trail to Bluff Trail Loop
Lookout Mountain’s northernmost slopes saw fierce action in the Civil War. This 3.8-mile loop trail takes you where Union forces stormed up the mountain in what became known as the “Battle Above the Clouds” on November 24, 1863.
On this loop, you’ll ascend 741 feet from the trailhead—starting about three-fourths up the mountain—to reach the summit. The trail begins at Cravens House—the oldest surviving structure on Lookout Mountain. Robert Cravens, a Chattanooga industrialist, built his family homestead in 1856. After the Confederate victory at the Battle of Chickamauga, the Union army was corralled into Chattanooga, entrapped by Southern troops who occupied the city’s high points, including the Craven family home. After the tide of the conflict changed, it was then used by the Union and war journalists as a campsite.
The trail ascends rather gently, snaking around the mountain’s northern end to run along its western slopes. Here it runs by Sunset Rock, a popular cliff that sports panoramic views of Lookout Valley and beyond—as the name suggests, it’s a perfect place to watch the sunset. The final climb to the summit is steep, but the views are worth it at Point Park.
Point Park boasts commanding views of Chattanooga and its surrounding topography. Here, roam the quiet memorial grounds that feature an impressive display of Civil War plaques, monuments, and cannons. Lookout Mountain’s slopes and Point Park are part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Established in 1890, it is the oldest National Military Park in the United States.
From Point Park, it’s all downhill — take the Mountain Beautiful Trail down the eastern slope to Cravens House where you’ll complete the 3.8-mile loop.
The waterfalls of Cloudland Canyon
Waterfalls Trail
It’s hard to believe that gentle creeks created such a deep gorge along the western slope of Lookout Mountain, but that’s exactly how Cloudland Canyon was formed. About a 30-minute drive from Chattanooga, Cloudland Canyon State Park features massive canyon walls and near-vertical hiking trails to two impressive waterfalls. In fact, the hike to the waterfalls are so steep that you’ll first have to descend hundreds of stairs to reach more hospitable terrain before continuing your journey.
Nevertheless, hiking into the canyon is well worth it. Half a mile down the trail, you’ll encounter Cherokee Falls, a 60-foot waterfall that cascades into an expansive natural pool. This is a great place to relax and play in the water—just be mindful of slippery rocks. However, you’ll want to save some energy for another half-mile hike to the next waterfall, Hemlock Falls. Your first sight of this 90-foot waterfall will be from an observation platform. But if you’re willing to get your feet a bit wet, you can scramble along the creek to get a closer look and even venture behind the waterfall where a natural amphitheater provides a cool place to rest before your strenuous return trip.
Remember, however far down you hike, you’ll have to climb on the way back. It’s a roughly 452 feet climb—while it’s not as tall as the hike to Point Park, the Waterfalls Trail is practically vertical the entire way. Prepare accordingly and know your limits.
ADA-accessible
Point Park and Cloudland Canyon
Those unable to hike can still take in the marvelous beauty of Lookout Mountain. Point Park, for instance, features smooth asphalt paths that lead to its monuments and panoramic views of the Chattanooga area. At Cloudland Canyon, it’s just a short stroll from the parking lot to the Main Overlook, where guests can take in breathtaking views of the deep gorge and beyond.
The ultimate challenge
Sitton’s Gulch Trail
This trail has everything—deep wilderness paths, waterfalls, challenging terrain, and incredible views. You gain 1,020-feet in elevation on this strenuous 4.9-mile round-trip hike from the bottom of Lookout Mountain to its summit at Cloudland Canyon.
The trail begins with a modest ascent as it parallels Sitton Gulch Creek into the inner parts of Cloudland Canyon. It’s at Daniel Creek where the real challenge begins. Here, the trail climbs steeply to Hemlock Falls and then to Cherokee Falls—then it’s pretty much a straight shot up the canyon walls to the mountain’s rim, including hundreds of stairs. But you’re rewarded with a breathtaking view of the canyon that you’ve just mastered. Now it’s all downhill from here.
Lookout Mountain offers plenty more trails to explore, though these are good places to start. Each attest to the mountain’s sheer size and humbles all who trek its paths. In our digital world of ease and comfort, a physical challenge can be quite rewarding. There’s nothing quite like looking back and admiring how far you’ve hiked!