Best Hikes In Chattanooga

Welcome to autumn in the Scenic City! With fall well underway, Chattanooga has transformed into a vibrant palette of fall foliage perfect for fall hiking. The city is known for it’s scenic beauty and was recently named as North America’s first National Park City recognizing its high quality of life connected to nature and outdoors. There are hundreds miles of hiking trails on public lands within a quick drive from downtown Chattanooga.

Here’s your curated guide to the best hikes in Chattanooga and the surrounding areas, perfect for your fall adventures. Many more hiking trails could be includeded on this list. It was challenging to narrow it down and pick my favorite spots. I listed ten top trails below. Plus five bonus areas in state parks that are a little bit further from downtown but are totally worth the drive to check out. The trails are not ranked in importance. They have been grouped in geographic neighborhoods.

Best Hikes In Chattanooga

1. Cravens House to Sunset Rock (Lookout Mountain)

This popular 3 mile round trip moderate hike takes you to a stunning view overlooking the valley below. There are many other trails to explore in the area from Cravens House. The view from Sunset Rock can’t be missed.

2. Lula Lake Land Trust (Lookout Mountain)

Located roughly 30 minutes from downtown across the Georgia state line on Lookout Mountain, this expansive 8,000-acre preserve features Lula Lake and Lula Falls amid dense, colorful woods. Access is limited and requires a reservation and a conservation use fee per-car, so plan ahead. 

3. Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center (Lookout Mountain)

Right in Chattanooga, this 317-acre arboretum offers 15 miles of trails winding through an incredible variety of over 1,000 plant species and 150 tree types—ideal for leaf-peeping and leisurely hikes. 

4. Chickamauga Battlefield (Fort Oglethorpe, GA)

Located 30 minutes south of downtown the Chickamauga Battlefield encompass nearly 10,000 acres of preserved and uninhabited landscape, making it one of the largest outdoor green spaces in the Chattanooga area. The park contains around 50 miles of hiking trails.

5. Stringer’s Ridge (North Chattanooga)

An urban wilderness park overlooking North Chattanooga, this ridge features about 10 miles of trails with oak and hickory forests. You’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the river and city. Trails vary from easy to more strenuous — great for all skill levels. 

6. Snoopers Rock & Prentice Cooper State Forest (Signal Mountain)

Prentice Cooper is a Wildlife Management Area open year round except during scheduled hunts. A short walk from the parking area earns you a jaw-dropping overlook of the Tennessee River Gorge surrounded by fall scenery. The surrounding forest also offers multiple hiking options along the Cumberland Trail. 

7. Tennessee Riverwalk (Downtown)

The Riverwalk trail is not a hiking trail in the traditional sense because it is a paved path. This 16-mile paved pathway downtown along the Tennessee River is ideal for a relaxed walk or bike ride and is perfect for autumn pics! There are multiple trailheads and parking areas for the Riverwalk so you can explore each section.  

8. Greenway Farm (Hixson)

A 180-acre city park along North Chickamauga Creek in Hixson, located off Hamill Road features 6 miles of walking, running, hiking, and biking trails, and 2 canoe access points along a 2.5 mile stretch of North Chickamauga Creek. 

9. Big Soddy Creek Gulf (Soddy Daisy)

This 285-acre wilderness area located about 30 minutes north of Chattanooga offers hiking trails, mountain and gorge views, swimming holes and rock formations along Big Soddy Creek.

10. North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park (Soddy Daisy)

Encompassing nearly 6,000 acres, this state park is home to swimming holes, old-growth forests, and a diverse wildlife population. Close to the Cumberland Trail, the park has four different sections of trails ranging from as short as 1.4 miles long to 10 miles. It’s a popular area for rock climbers.

Top Trails & Scenic Spots Further Out – Southeast Tennessee & North Georgia

1. Stone Door Loop – Savage Gulf State Park (South Cumberland)

• An hour and a half from downtown this is an easy 2-mile loop near Beersheba Springs. Amazing views of the gulf below! This is easily one of my favorite trails in the region.

2. Fiery Gizzard Trail – Fiery Gizzard State Park (South Cumberland)

• Located about an hour west of Chattanooga. This strenuous 12.8 mile hike is renowned for its beauty, waterfalls, rock formations, and challenging terrain. Suitable for day hikes or multi-day backpacking trips.

3. Sherwood Day Loop – Head of the Crow State Park (South Cumberland)

• Head of the Crow is one of Tennessee’s new state parks. It’s near Sewanee about an hour west of Chattanooga. This 2.9 mile trail is mostly on level ground. The trail you will take you through a forest ridge and by many rock formations. There are several overlooks offering long views of Crow Creek Valley and a sandstone arch, Sherwood Natural Bridge.

4. Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia

• 45 minutes southwest of Chattanooga is a hidden gem of the Georgia State Parks. The park features some of the most spectacular scenery on the Cumberland Plateau and includes multiple waterfalls. The park has over 64 miles of hiking/running trails, along with 30 miles of mountain biking trails. 

5. Fall Creek Falls State Park

• Fall Creek Falls State Park is a little over an hour away from Chattanooga. There are over 56 miles of hiking trails in he park and it is a great place to go camping. Fall Creek Falls is best know for its waterfall hiking trail.

When to Go & What to Expect

• Best time for peak fall colors in Chattanooga is late October through early November, though early hues may begin appearing at higher elevations in late September. 
• Fall weather: Chic and comfy. Highs in the upper 60s to low 70s°F and cool evenings—great hiking temps.
• Be flexible! Drought or seasonal shifts can affect timing of peak fall colors—tracking local updates (e.g., via local Chattanooga social media) helps. 

Chattanooga delivers effortless access to some of the Southeast’s best hiking trails. These are just a few of the best hikes in Chattanooga to explore. There’s a perfect trail waiting for every adventure and fitness level. From urban escapes to hidden natural gems, this city is your outdoor playground.

PS. If you enjoyed this guide on the best hikes in Chattanooga make sure to check out my guide on the Best Hikes in the Smoky Mountains and my guide on Vegetarian Hiking Snacks.