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Not a member yet? Click here today!
Chattanooga Hiking Club Outings
The Chattanooga Hiking Club, in keeping with its stated purpose, tries to provide outings every weekend for persons of different skill levels. Hikes scheduled in the current month and the upcoming month are described in detail. Tentative hikes are simply listed in the Outings Schedule and are still in the planning stages. All of our hikes are led by club members volunteering their time to the cause.
In addition to the weekend formal schedule, there are regular day hikes most every Wednesday closer to Chattanooga so that less driving is involved; and there are sometimes more spontaneous hiking road trips, usually on Thursdays and/or Fridays.
The information below is provided as a guide only. Each hiker assumes the risks associated with hiking in the great outdoors, including the responsibility for paying any bills associated with rescue efforts or medical care. The wise hiker always carries drinking water, food, and first aid items, and wears or carries clothing appropriate for the season. *Always check with the Hike Leader for special considerations like medical conditions and hiking with minors.
Hike Difficulty Rating
Easy(E): 6 miles or less; mostly level ground or only slight incline.
Moderate(M): Distance of 7 - 10 miles with an elevation gain that will generally not exceed 350 feet per mile, with a total elevation gain of no more than 1000 ft.
Moderately Strenuous(MS): This hike could be 7 - 10 miles in length, but include rocky trail conditions, tricky stream crossings or elevation gain of more than 1000 ft. but less than 2000 ft.
Strenuous(S): Any hike that is a distance of 10 to 14 miles or with more than 2000 ft. total elevation gain, but no more than 3000 ft.
Extremely Strenuous(S+): Usually involves distances of more than 14 miles or more than 3000 ft. in elevation gain. There might be very steep/rugged climbs, deep stream crossings, or unmaintained trails.
Pace: Standard pace (SP) is 2 miles per hour; less on steep or rugged terrain. Fast pace (FP) is 2.5 to 3 miles per hour or more and may not vary much regardless of terrain.
For more information and to view the Chattanooga Club Policies and Constitution please click here.
The Chattanooga Hiking Club, in keeping with its stated purpose, tries to provide outings every weekend for persons of different skill levels. Hikes scheduled in the current month and the upcoming month are described in detail. Tentative hikes are simply listed in the Outings Schedule and are still in the planning stages. All of our hikes are led by club members volunteering their time to the cause.
In addition to the weekend formal schedule, there are regular day hikes most every Wednesday closer to Chattanooga so that less driving is involved; and there are sometimes more spontaneous hiking road trips, usually on Thursdays and/or Fridays.
The information below is provided as a guide only. Each hiker assumes the risks associated with hiking in the great outdoors, including the responsibility for paying any bills associated with rescue efforts or medical care. The wise hiker always carries drinking water, food, and first aid items, and wears or carries clothing appropriate for the season. *Always check with the Hike Leader for special considerations like medical conditions and hiking with minors.
Hike Difficulty Rating
Easy(E): 6 miles or less; mostly level ground or only slight incline.
Moderate(M): Distance of 7 - 10 miles with an elevation gain that will generally not exceed 350 feet per mile, with a total elevation gain of no more than 1000 ft.
Moderately Strenuous(MS): This hike could be 7 - 10 miles in length, but include rocky trail conditions, tricky stream crossings or elevation gain of more than 1000 ft. but less than 2000 ft.
Strenuous(S): Any hike that is a distance of 10 to 14 miles or with more than 2000 ft. total elevation gain, but no more than 3000 ft.
Extremely Strenuous(S+): Usually involves distances of more than 14 miles or more than 3000 ft. in elevation gain. There might be very steep/rugged climbs, deep stream crossings, or unmaintained trails.
Pace: Standard pace (SP) is 2 miles per hour; less on steep or rugged terrain. Fast pace (FP) is 2.5 to 3 miles per hour or more and may not vary much regardless of terrain.
For more information and to view the Chattanooga Club Policies and Constitution please click here.
Upcoming Outings ~ Register w/ Hike Leaders today!
Interested in leading a hike? Want to know more?
Click here to connect with our Coordinator.
Wednesday, April 30
Moonshine Trails - Lookout Mountain
Miles: 7.5
Elevation Gain: 725'
Rating: moderate
Pace: standard 2.0 mph
This is a beautiful lollipop loop trail, with sections along Gerber Branch. Expect the mountain laurels to be blooming. A shorter 4.5 mile loop is available for those who can hike the last mile without a leader.
Contact Jenny Hopkins at jenhop60@gmail.com to sign up. Full trail map can be found here: https://www.lulalakwant toe.org/moonshine-trails.html
Moonshine Trails - Lookout Mountain
Miles: 7.5
Elevation Gain: 725'
Rating: moderate
Pace: standard 2.0 mph
This is a beautiful lollipop loop trail, with sections along Gerber Branch. Expect the mountain laurels to be blooming. A shorter 4.5 mile loop is available for those who can hike the last mile without a leader.
Contact Jenny Hopkins at jenhop60@gmail.com to sign up. Full trail map can be found here: https://www.lulalakwant toe.org/moonshine-trails.html
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Chattanooga Hiking Club Annual Picnic (Members Only)
Location: Cloudland Canyon State park
Picnic Shelter: #1
Hike: West Rim Loop
Rating: Moderate
Pace: Standard
Distance: 5 miles
Chattanooga Hiking Club's spring picnic will be held at Cloudland Canyon State Park on Saturday, May 3rd at Picnic Shelter #1.
Please join us for a potluck picnic. Bring a dish to pass, with serving utensils if needed, and your own beverage. The club will provide paper goods and plastic eating utensils. Public parking gets crowded on weekends. Consider arriving early as you may need to walk a short distance. Bring a camp chair if you can. There is a parking fee if you do not have a park pass. No need to register for the picnic but please contact Che if you have any questions and to let her know you will be coming.
Not hiking? Come by 11:30.
Che at mtnhikerche@bellouth.net
Please bring a dish to share with serving utensils if needed and your own beverage. The club will provide paper goods and plastic eating utensils. Parking can get crowded on a pretty day so plan accordingly as you may have to walk a short distance. Bring a camp chair if can. No need to register for the picnic but please contact if you have any questions.
There is a $5 parking fee if you do not have a Georgia State Parks pass.
Hike details
Leader Susan Basch
The hike will start and end at Picnic Shelter # 1 for those interested in hiking before the picnic. West Rim Loop on May 3rd. Plan on meeting at the picnic shelter at 8:45. The hike will begin at 9:00 and when it concludes the picnic will begin! Must register for the hike -
The hike will be a 5-mile hike from the picnic shelter to the West Rim Loop Trail the trail is rated moderate for rocks and roots. There are several places to stop and enjoy the view!
To register please contact Susan Basch at sbasch@nexband.com.
Chattanooga Hiking Club Annual Picnic (Members Only)
Location: Cloudland Canyon State park
Picnic Shelter: #1
Hike: West Rim Loop
Rating: Moderate
Pace: Standard
Distance: 5 miles
Chattanooga Hiking Club's spring picnic will be held at Cloudland Canyon State Park on Saturday, May 3rd at Picnic Shelter #1.
Please join us for a potluck picnic. Bring a dish to pass, with serving utensils if needed, and your own beverage. The club will provide paper goods and plastic eating utensils. Public parking gets crowded on weekends. Consider arriving early as you may need to walk a short distance. Bring a camp chair if you can. There is a parking fee if you do not have a park pass. No need to register for the picnic but please contact Che if you have any questions and to let her know you will be coming.
Not hiking? Come by 11:30.
Che at mtnhikerche@bellouth.net
Please bring a dish to share with serving utensils if needed and your own beverage. The club will provide paper goods and plastic eating utensils. Parking can get crowded on a pretty day so plan accordingly as you may have to walk a short distance. Bring a camp chair if can. No need to register for the picnic but please contact if you have any questions.
There is a $5 parking fee if you do not have a Georgia State Parks pass.
Hike details
Leader Susan Basch
The hike will start and end at Picnic Shelter # 1 for those interested in hiking before the picnic. West Rim Loop on May 3rd. Plan on meeting at the picnic shelter at 8:45. The hike will begin at 9:00 and when it concludes the picnic will begin! Must register for the hike -
The hike will be a 5-mile hike from the picnic shelter to the West Rim Loop Trail the trail is rated moderate for rocks and roots. There are several places to stop and enjoy the view!
To register please contact Susan Basch at sbasch@nexband.com.
Wednesday, May 07
Black Mountain section of the CT
Miles: 8
Route: Out and Back. (Possibly adding one mile loop at the top)
Elevation Gain: 1,643'
Rating: Moderate
Pace: Standard
This is a favorite spring hike for wild flowers and views. The incline is not steep but is consistently up! Along the way we will be looking for the elusive yellow lady slippers. The rock formations and views at the top make it a unique trail and well worth the effort.
Hiking shoes and poles are recommended
Bring lunch, snacks, water and gas money for drivers.
Contact Deborah Lambert debs4587@comcast.net to sign up.
Saturday, May 10
CT section from Hall Rd on Signal Mtn to Holly Branch
Miles: 11
Rating: Moderate
Pace: Standard
This is a beautiful segment of the CT along N Chickamauga Creek. There is some elevation gain and loss but overall it isn’t too challenging. The footing is easy much of the way but there are definitely some rocky sections. The Mountain laurel, rhododendron, and pink lady slippers should be in full bloom. Hiking shoes and poles are recommended. Bring a snack, lunch and plenty of water.
Contact Debbie debs4587@comcast.net to sign up.
CT section from Hall Rd on Signal Mtn to Holly Branch
Miles: 11
Rating: Moderate
Pace: Standard
This is a beautiful segment of the CT along N Chickamauga Creek. There is some elevation gain and loss but overall it isn’t too challenging. The footing is easy much of the way but there are definitely some rocky sections. The Mountain laurel, rhododendron, and pink lady slippers should be in full bloom. Hiking shoes and poles are recommended. Bring a snack, lunch and plenty of water.
Contact Debbie debs4587@comcast.net to sign up.
Wednesday, May 14
St. Elmo trail to Glen Falls
Miles: 11
Details to follow
Contact Debra Young at dlyoung2015@gmail.com to sign up.
St. Elmo trail to Glen Falls
Miles: 11
Details to follow
Contact Debra Young at dlyoung2015@gmail.com to sign up.
Sunday, May 18
Bear Creek Backcountry Trail - Cloudland Canyon
Miles: 7.3
Elevation Gain: approx. 1,300'
Rating: Moderately strenuous
Pace: standard 2.0 mph
This lollipop trail has a bit of everything, including a wide creek crossing. Hope we'll see rhododendrons, mountain laurels, and flame azaleas in bloom. Need $5 exact for parking, or a GA Parks annual pass.
Contact Jenny at jenhop60@gmail.com to sign up.
Bear Creek Backcountry Trail - Cloudland Canyon
Miles: 7.3
Elevation Gain: approx. 1,300'
Rating: Moderately strenuous
Pace: standard 2.0 mph
This lollipop trail has a bit of everything, including a wide creek crossing. Hope we'll see rhododendrons, mountain laurels, and flame azaleas in bloom. Need $5 exact for parking, or a GA Parks annual pass.
Contact Jenny at jenhop60@gmail.com to sign up.