Local Area
Stringer's Ridge
One of several mountain biking venues that SORBA has built around here, but it's also available to hikers - watch for bikers and be mindful that some trails require bikers to go one way on certain days of the week while hikers go the other way (see map for details). Very close to town; not a lot of mileage unless you zig-zag around quite a bit. And not a lot of elevation gain. One really nice overlook of downtown Chattanooga.
http://www.outdoorchattanooga.com/land/stringers-ridge-park-mountain-biking
http://www.sorbachattanooga.org/stringers-ridge
.html
N. Chick Greenway/Spangler Farms
A combination of pavement and regular trails; not a lot of mileage. Moms jogging while pushing strollers on the paved parts; people walking or running with their dogs. A section of trail up and down through a more rugged section of climbing up and down a ridge. Nice overlooks of a water-filled rock quarry from either a paved section or a regular trail.
http://www.northchick.org/adventure/trails-and-hiking/index.html
http://www.outdoorchattanooga.com/land/north-chickamauga-creek-greenway-running
S. Chick Greenway
Still very much under development, a wide flat pathway alongside S. Chickamauga Creek that will eventually run from Camp Jordan to the River Walk along the Tennessee River. Very close to town; not much mileage. Currently stops short of Amnicola Highway in one direction and just a short ways beyond Bonny Oaks Drive in the other direction. Wide with no elevation gain. Access at the old Sterchi Farm at Harrison Pike and Waterhaven Drive.
http://outdoorchattanooga.com/land/south-chickamauga-creek-greenway-running
Brainerd Levee
Actually another part of the S. Chick Greenway, this being the part that connects with Camp Jordan. Easily accessible from Shallowford Road or Brainerd Road near Walmart or from Camp Jordan. A wide smooth flat gravel track good for seeing birds and waterfowl; not much mileage.
http://www.outdoorchattanooga.com/land/brainerd-levee-camp-jordan
Enterprise South
Right by the Volkswagen complex with a great visitors center (with maps!) as you enter the area. Separate bike trails and hiking trails. Little elevation gain. Mileage depends on how much you want to zig-zag through the area.
http://www.hamiltontn.gov/esnp/
Moccasin Bend
Blue Blazes Trail is the main thing, with some views of the Tennessee River across from Lookout Mountain. Absolutely flat, but relatively unused, thus a tendancy to be overgrown. Little mileage.
Chattanooga Nature Center
A sizeable network of trails and dirt/gravel roads to the west of and on the lower western side of Lookout Mountain. From the entrance to Skyuka Springs by a couple different routes involving the Lookout Mountain Chickamauga Battlefield trail system is a particular favorite of ours. A memorial bench and marker for our dearly beloved Betty Petty is located here. Viewing the wildlife exhibits at the Nature Center, especially the wolves, is a nice addition to the hike itself. Mileage depends on zig-zagging through the complex or extending into the trails that are part of the battlefield system.
Lookout Mtn part of Chickamauga/Chattanooga Battlefield
Involves several trails, mostly around the point and the western side of Lookout Mountain. The Bluff Trail from way out near Covenant College to Point Park is a favorite; it's flat, running beneath large bluffs, with great views of Lookout Valley; warning: steep stairs at Point Park! Other trails like Upper and Lower Truck Trail go side-to-side along the flanks of the mountain. Trails like John Smart and Kiddie and Gum Springs go straight up the mountain and are quite steep and challenging; to a lesser extent Rifle Pits and Mountain Beautiful trails also climb the mountain. Guild Trail from Ochs Highway past Ruby Falls and on around to Cravens House via Upper Truck Trail is a long but fairly gentle climb to an historic location with a great view of Chattanooga. On the eastern side of the mountain, Glen Falls is a little known gem that's best in late winter or early spring when there's lots of water at the falls; it's easily reachable from the upper part of Ochs Highway, but also good from a more challenging route from Guild Trail (either from lower on Ochs Highway or from Ruby Falls), then including Whiteside and Shingle trails.
http://www.hikelookout.org/lookout.php
http://www.nps.gov/chch/planyourvisit/upload/Final-LOM-Trail-Map-Combined-File-08-21-14.pdf
Raccoon Mountain
Another major SORBA mountain bike complex that's open to hikers too; a real treasure that's quite close to town. Watch for bike traffic, especially on weekends. Mileage varies depending on how much you want to do; not a great deal of elevation gain unless you do the Live Wire or High Voltage segments, but some challenging climbs here and there. Great view of Chattanooga from the East Overlook; also spectacular view of the Tennessee River Gorge from the Vistors Center and nice views from trails around the Laurel Point area.
http://www.sorbachattanooga.org/raccoon-mountain
Stringer's Ridge
One of several mountain biking venues that SORBA has built around here, but it's also available to hikers - watch for bikers and be mindful that some trails require bikers to go one way on certain days of the week while hikers go the other way (see map for details). Very close to town; not a lot of mileage unless you zig-zag around quite a bit. And not a lot of elevation gain. One really nice overlook of downtown Chattanooga.
http://www.outdoorchattanooga.com/land/stringers-ridge-park-mountain-biking
http://www.sorbachattanooga.org/stringers-ridge
.html
N. Chick Greenway/Spangler Farms
A combination of pavement and regular trails; not a lot of mileage. Moms jogging while pushing strollers on the paved parts; people walking or running with their dogs. A section of trail up and down through a more rugged section of climbing up and down a ridge. Nice overlooks of a water-filled rock quarry from either a paved section or a regular trail.
http://www.northchick.org/adventure/trails-and-hiking/index.html
http://www.outdoorchattanooga.com/land/north-chickamauga-creek-greenway-running
S. Chick Greenway
Still very much under development, a wide flat pathway alongside S. Chickamauga Creek that will eventually run from Camp Jordan to the River Walk along the Tennessee River. Very close to town; not much mileage. Currently stops short of Amnicola Highway in one direction and just a short ways beyond Bonny Oaks Drive in the other direction. Wide with no elevation gain. Access at the old Sterchi Farm at Harrison Pike and Waterhaven Drive.
http://outdoorchattanooga.com/land/south-chickamauga-creek-greenway-running
Brainerd Levee
Actually another part of the S. Chick Greenway, this being the part that connects with Camp Jordan. Easily accessible from Shallowford Road or Brainerd Road near Walmart or from Camp Jordan. A wide smooth flat gravel track good for seeing birds and waterfowl; not much mileage.
http://www.outdoorchattanooga.com/land/brainerd-levee-camp-jordan
Enterprise South
Right by the Volkswagen complex with a great visitors center (with maps!) as you enter the area. Separate bike trails and hiking trails. Little elevation gain. Mileage depends on how much you want to zig-zag through the area.
http://www.hamiltontn.gov/esnp/
Moccasin Bend
Blue Blazes Trail is the main thing, with some views of the Tennessee River across from Lookout Mountain. Absolutely flat, but relatively unused, thus a tendancy to be overgrown. Little mileage.
Chattanooga Nature Center
A sizeable network of trails and dirt/gravel roads to the west of and on the lower western side of Lookout Mountain. From the entrance to Skyuka Springs by a couple different routes involving the Lookout Mountain Chickamauga Battlefield trail system is a particular favorite of ours. A memorial bench and marker for our dearly beloved Betty Petty is located here. Viewing the wildlife exhibits at the Nature Center, especially the wolves, is a nice addition to the hike itself. Mileage depends on zig-zagging through the complex or extending into the trails that are part of the battlefield system.
Lookout Mtn part of Chickamauga/Chattanooga Battlefield
Involves several trails, mostly around the point and the western side of Lookout Mountain. The Bluff Trail from way out near Covenant College to Point Park is a favorite; it's flat, running beneath large bluffs, with great views of Lookout Valley; warning: steep stairs at Point Park! Other trails like Upper and Lower Truck Trail go side-to-side along the flanks of the mountain. Trails like John Smart and Kiddie and Gum Springs go straight up the mountain and are quite steep and challenging; to a lesser extent Rifle Pits and Mountain Beautiful trails also climb the mountain. Guild Trail from Ochs Highway past Ruby Falls and on around to Cravens House via Upper Truck Trail is a long but fairly gentle climb to an historic location with a great view of Chattanooga. On the eastern side of the mountain, Glen Falls is a little known gem that's best in late winter or early spring when there's lots of water at the falls; it's easily reachable from the upper part of Ochs Highway, but also good from a more challenging route from Guild Trail (either from lower on Ochs Highway or from Ruby Falls), then including Whiteside and Shingle trails.
http://www.hikelookout.org/lookout.php
http://www.nps.gov/chch/planyourvisit/upload/Final-LOM-Trail-Map-Combined-File-08-21-14.pdf
Raccoon Mountain
Another major SORBA mountain bike complex that's open to hikers too; a real treasure that's quite close to town. Watch for bike traffic, especially on weekends. Mileage varies depending on how much you want to do; not a great deal of elevation gain unless you do the Live Wire or High Voltage segments, but some challenging climbs here and there. Great view of Chattanooga from the East Overlook; also spectacular view of the Tennessee River Gorge from the Vistors Center and nice views from trails around the Laurel Point area.
http://www.sorbachattanooga.org/raccoon-mountain