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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.
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Chattanooga Hiking Club Annual Picnic (Members Only)
Location: Cloudland Canyon State park
Hike: West Rim Loop
Rating: Moderate
Pace: Standard
Distance: 5 miles
Hike RSVP: Susan Basch susanmbasch@gmail.com
Picnic RSVP: (YTBD)
Chattanooga Hiking Club Annual Picnic (Members Only)
Location: Cloudland Canyon State park
Hike: West Rim Loop
Rating: Moderate
Pace: Standard
Distance: 5 miles
Hike RSVP: Susan Basch susanmbasch@gmail.com
Picnic RSVP: (YTBD)
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Location: Walden’s Ridge (Near Red Bank)
Popup hike
Rating: Easy/Moderate
Distance: 5 miles, Loop
This is a loop hike with moderate switchback climb for about a mile and a half then flat across ridge to moderate switchback down. We’ll start early and should take about two hours or less. Contact me for more information or to join.
RSVP to Shelly Lewis Lewisshellytn@yahoo.com or text 925-683-6095.
Location: Walden’s Ridge (Near Red Bank)
Popup hike
Rating: Easy/Moderate
Distance: 5 miles, Loop
This is a loop hike with moderate switchback climb for about a mile and a half then flat across ridge to moderate switchback down. We’ll start early and should take about two hours or less. Contact me for more information or to join.
RSVP to Shelly Lewis Lewisshellytn@yahoo.com or text 925-683-6095.
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Virgin Falls, Sparta TN
Location: Virgin Falls State Natural Area
Driving Time: 1 hour 45 minutes from Chattanooga
Distance: 9+ miles including 8.4 mile lollipop loop and a couple short side trails
Rating: Strenuous Elevation: 1000+ ft. (up on the way out)
Pace: Standard
Trail Conditions: Rocky, uneven at times, cable crossing.
Our annual Virgin Falls hike is coming up. Explore the beautiful and mystical Virgin Falls on this strenuous 9+ mile journey. Depending on water level, there are three other falls: Big Branch, Big Laurel and Sheep Cave. Virgin Falls seems to originate and disappear with no visible water source though we’ll hike up and around to peek into its subterranean source: a cool (literally and figuratively) cave on top. This is one of the best rated hikes in Tennessee but make a note that it is strenuous so please be prepared. Estimating at least 6- 7 hours of hiking with lunch at fall
You must RSVP .
Hike leaders: Shelly Lewis and Novi Morales.
RSVP by Thursday, April 10 at lewisshellytn@yahoo.com or 925-683-6095 (text)
Virgin Falls, Sparta TN
Location: Virgin Falls State Natural Area
Driving Time: 1 hour 45 minutes from Chattanooga
Distance: 9+ miles including 8.4 mile lollipop loop and a couple short side trails
Rating: Strenuous Elevation: 1000+ ft. (up on the way out)
Pace: Standard
Trail Conditions: Rocky, uneven at times, cable crossing.
Our annual Virgin Falls hike is coming up. Explore the beautiful and mystical Virgin Falls on this strenuous 9+ mile journey. Depending on water level, there are three other falls: Big Branch, Big Laurel and Sheep Cave. Virgin Falls seems to originate and disappear with no visible water source though we’ll hike up and around to peek into its subterranean source: a cool (literally and figuratively) cave on top. This is one of the best rated hikes in Tennessee but make a note that it is strenuous so please be prepared. Estimating at least 6- 7 hours of hiking with lunch at fall
You must RSVP .
Hike leaders: Shelly Lewis and Novi Morales.
RSVP by Thursday, April 10 at lewisshellytn@yahoo.com or 925-683-6095 (text)
Sunday, April 13
Durham Mine Trails on Lookout Mountain
Miles: 7.0
Elevation gain: approx. 900'
Rating: Moderately strenuous
Pace: Standard
Hike Leader: Jenny Hopkins
This trail system owned by Lula Lake Land Trust has some 14 miles of trails, but we'll hike only a portion and hopefully see a large patch of pink lady slippers, at least in the early stages of bloom. Need $5 exact for parking, or a GA parks annual pass, or LLLT annual pass.
Contact Jenny at jenhop60@gmail.com to sign up.
Durham Mine Trails on Lookout Mountain
Miles: 7.0
Elevation gain: approx. 900'
Rating: Moderately strenuous
Pace: Standard
Hike Leader: Jenny Hopkins
This trail system owned by Lula Lake Land Trust has some 14 miles of trails, but we'll hike only a portion and hopefully see a large patch of pink lady slippers, at least in the early stages of bloom. Need $5 exact for parking, or a GA parks annual pass, or LLLT annual pass.
Contact Jenny at jenhop60@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.