Archive for Chattanooga Hiking

Mountain Beautiful Trail (Lookout Mountain)

// May 20th, 2009 // No Comments » // Chattanooga Hiking

Once again, a very literal trail name! A great hiking trail that takes hikers up to the cliffs of Lookout Mountain and then follows the cliffs around the nose of Lookout Mountain. This trail is quite steep at first, but once to the cliffs, the trail flattens out. Definitely worth the hard work to get there!

Directions from Chattanooga: Take Broad St. toward Lookout Mountain. Follow Broad St. until it turns into Cummings Hwy. Continue on Cummings Hwy until left turn onto Scenic Hwy. Follow Scenic Hwy for approx. 2.5 miles and turn right onto Shingle Rd. Continue on Shingle Rd. for .5 mile and turn right to park at the Craven’s House.

Signal Point Trail (Cumberland Trail, Prentice Cooper State Forest)

// May 20th, 2009 // No Comments » // Chattanooga Hiking

A must do hike in Chattanooga filled with scenic overlooks, waterfalls, swinging bridges, and water side campsites! A short hike from the parking lot, hikers are greeted with an overlook of the Tennessee River Gorge and downtown Chattanooga. A couple of miles further, and hikers will encounter Rainbow Falls on their left. To complete the day, stop at Shuford’s BBQ at the bottom of Signal Mountain.

Directions from Chattanooga: Take 27 N to Signal Mtn. Rd. exit. Take Signal Mtn. Rd./US 127 for 5 miles to left on to Signal Mtn. Blvd. Follow .1 mile to left on Mississippi Ave. Follow for .8 mile to right on to James Blvd. for .2 mile to left on to Signal Point Rd. Follow .3 mile to parking area.

Sunset Rock (Lookout Mountain)

// May 20th, 2009 // Comments Off // Chattanooga Hiking

Obvious to its name, Sunset Rock offers a great place for hikers to come and watch the sun go down. A short hike from the parking lot and hikers will find themselves atop an 80 ft, cliff with a front row view of the Sunset. Over 20 miles of trails branch off from Sunset Rock, so hikers have many different hiking options.

Directions from Chattanooga:  Take Broad St. toward Lookout Mountain.  Follow Broad St. until it turns into Cummings Hwy.  Continue on Cummings Hwy until left turn onto Scenic Hwy.  Take Scenic Hwy for approx. 4 miles to a right turn onto W. Brow Rd.  Parking lot will be on the left within 1.5 miles.

West Rim and Waterfall Trail (Cloudland Canyon State Park)

// May 20th, 2009 // No Comments » // Chattanooga Hiking

A 1,180 ft. canyon located off of Lookout Mountain, Cloudland Canyon is claimed as one of the prettiest and least used parks in the state. The West Rim Trail gives hikers an amazing view of the canyon, while the Waterfall Trail will highlight the Sitton Gulch Creek that created the canyon.

Directions from Chattanooga: Take 1-24 W for 10.2 miles to I-59 S. Stay on I-59 S for 8.3 miles. Take exit 11 and turn left onto GA-136. Follow signs for GA-136 for 6.5 miles. Left into Cloudland Canyon State Park at top of the mountain.

Snooper’s Rock (Cumberland Trail, Prentice Cooper State Forest)

// May 20th, 2009 // No Comments » // Chattanooga Hiking

The Prentice Cooper segment of the Cumberland Trail, which runs from Chattanooga to the Kentucky border, features over 30 miles of hiking trails with beautiful overlooks of the Tennessee River Gorge. For a short day hike, park at the Snooper’s Rock parking lot and hike to the Snooper’s Rock overlook. Be prepared for a breath taking view.

Directions from Chattanooga: Take US 127 N to the Signal Mountain Rd. exit. Stay on Signal Mountain Rd. for 3.1 miles until a left turn onto Suck Creek Rd. Stay on Suck Creek Rd. for approx. 9 miles until a left turn at Choctaw Rd. Follow Choctaw for .25 mile. Left turn onto Game Reserve Rd. Cumberland Trail parking approx. 4 miles on right.