If you love exploring the outdoors, Chattanooga, TN, needs to be on your bucket list. I mean some of the best hikes in Chattanooga, maybe even the southeast, lead to crazy waterfalls, beautiful overlooks, and more!
We love taking a quick trip to Chattanooga (only 2 hours from Atlanta) to hit some amazing hikes. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy hike, or want to get a good workout in and hike a couple of miles, Chattanooga has it all!
So, to help you plan your next outdoor adventure, here are nine amazing hikes in Chattanooga that you absolutely need to check out. Let’s lace up our hiking boots and dive in!
1. Point Park via Craven’s House Loop
Length: 2.8 miles loop
Elevation Gain: 639 ft
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, on a leash
Point Park is a unique location because it is not only a great hiking spot, but it’s also packed with history! The park is also the site of the Civil War battle famously known as “The Battle Above the Clouds.” There are so many interesting Civil War artifacts here, not to mention an incredible view of Chattanooga!
The trail starts at Craven’s House; from there, you’ll head up to the park. The loop has a bit of everything—gradual climbs, rocky sections, and a few switchbacks, so you’ll get a good hiking workout in. After exploring Point Park, you’ll head back down to Craven’s house and complete this 2.8-mile loop.
2. Sunset Rock
Length: 3.2 miles loop
Elevation Gain: 469 ft
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, on a leash
If you love a 2-for-1 special, this hike is for you! Like the Point Park route, this trail begins at Craven’s House on Lookout Mountain. So you don’t even need to move your car!
Sunset Rock is one of my favorite hikes in Chattanooga because it offers a beautiful 180-degree view of parts of the city. I highly recommend using the AllTrails Map to ensure you stay on the right path, as there are some routes that branch off from the main trail.
Pro Tip: If you want to take a shorter route, there is a much quicker trail to access Sunset Rock. The trail’s parking is located in a nearby neighborhood with limited parking, but if you don’t find a spot here, there are some parking spaces nearby!
3. Middle Creek Falls
Length: 5.6 miles out-and-back
Elevation Gain: 1,305 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, on a leash
This hike is more for the adventurous, so if you’re looking for something that requires a bit of effort to get to the amazing waterfall views, this hike is for you. This hike is difficult, especially on the way back from the waterfall, as the trail is all uphill from there!
The trail is 5.6 miles round trip, and many hikers say the actual trail is not really marked. There is also a lot of rock scrambling to the falls. It’s highly recommended to take your time while heading down and to have a map, or AllTrails pulled up to make sure you are going the right way!
The falls are absolutely worth it, and you can even get in the water at the base of the falls!
SEE ALSO: What To Pack When Hiking
4. Glen Falls Trail
- Length: 1.2 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 305 ft
- Dogs: Allowed on-leash
This hike is super simple and perfect for beginners! The parking can get a little hectic on the weekends but the trail is absolutely worth it! From the parking lot, the falls are only a half mile in, which is perfect if you are just trying to get a quick hike in. Here’s the AllTrails Map to follow!
If you want to see the waterfall at its fullest flow, I recommend going during the months when the leaves are off the trees (between November and March/April). During the warmer months, the falls can sometimes be almost down to a trickle. However, if you go during the warmer months, the trail will be painted green, and you may even catch some wildflowers blooming along the trail.
5. Rainbow Lake Trail to Bee Branch Trail
- Length: 2.2-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 347 ft
- Dogs: Allowed on-leash
I love this trail because it has it all! Beautiful greenery, a trail by the water, a suspension bridge, and even a waterfall! Rainbow Lake Trail to Bee Branch Trail near Chattanooga is a must-hike.
At the beginning, you are instantly met with panoramic views of the Tennessee River Gorge. The Rainbow Lake portion of the trail leads to the “Rainbow Lake Falls” (not completely natural, but it is definitely serene) and a spot where you can take a dip in the lake!
Although being immersed in nature like this can be quite the experience, you can easily get lost if you aren’t paying attention. It is recommended that you use AllTrails for this hike because the trail is not well-marked.
Now, let’s talk about the Bee Branch Trail. This section is where things get a bit more adventurous. But don’t worry, it’s not too intense—it’s just enough to make you feel like you got that good workout in! This trail will loop you back and complete the 2.2-mile hike.
6. Rainbow Trail to Edward’s Point
- Length: 4.6 miles, out-and-back
- Difficulty: Hard
- Elevation Gain: 826 ft
- Dogs: Allowed on-leash
Another great way to tackle multiple hikes in one trip, add this hike to Edward’s Point to your list of must-visit hikes in Chattanooga! It is connected to the Rainbow Lake Trail, which is a fairly quick hike, so you can do that one first before going here.
The trail is rated as hard because of the elevation gain over the 4.6-mile hike. The 826 ft of elevation gain is accrued throughout the hike, so it’s not all uphill to the viewpoint and then back down. However, you’ll want to make sure you pack the right gear for this hike.
As you veer off of the Rainbow Lake Trail, you will be on the Signal Point Trail, which goes up the ridgeline leading to Edward’s Point. The trail has some rocky sections and fallen trees, so you’ll need to be careful around them and wear the right gear to protect your ankles.
The viewpoint at Edward’s Point is incredible, with awe-inspiring views of the Tennesee River and mountain ranges of Chattanooga!
7. Foster Falls
- Length: 0.6 miles, out-and-back
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 154 ft
- Dogs: Allowed on-leash
Foster Falls is a fan favorite when it comes to best hikes in Chattanooga! This hike is not long at all and leads to not only a beautiful waterfall, but also the perfect place to take a dip at the base of the falls, a swimming hole!
Another good thing about the falls is the trail is all downhill to the waterfall; the bad news is, it’s all uphill on the way back. Luckily, it’s not too long of a trek up, so not too much of a struggle! There’s also a really cool suspension bridge that you cross to get to the falls that’s a great photo op too!
I recommend seeing these falls during the warmer months to take advantage of getting to swim at the falls!
8. Ritchie Hollow Trail to Blowing Wind Falls
- Length: 2.6-mile, out-and-back
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 670 ft
- Dogs: Allowed on-leash
Ritchie Hollow Trail is a newer trail near Chattanooga and has become a local favorite. The hike is no easy feat, but when you reach the falls, you’ll definitely feel accomplished and be rewarded with an amazing view!
The trail isn’t super busy, so many hikers who end up first on the trail find spider webs across the paths that you’ll need to have a stick or trekking pole to knock down. It is all uphill to Blowing Wind Falls, but most of your climb will come after about a mile of hiking.
The highlight of the trail, the waterfall, is a beautiful 30-foot stairstep waterfall. Since it’s not always a bustling waterfall in the warmer months or when there hasn’t been a lot of rain, I would go during the winter or colder months to experience the falls with more water flow. But, it’s still beautiful any time of year!
9. Snooper’s Rock Trail
- Length: 1-mile, out-and-back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 303 ft
- Dogs: Allowed on-leash
Snooper’s Rock is high on my list of must-hike places in Chattanooga! We normally plan to do this hike at sunrise for the most picturesque views.
It also has an interesting origin story: It was named after the law enforcement who used the overlook to “snoop” on illegal moonshine operations during Prohibition. From the parking lot, it only takes roughly 0.5 mi to reach the overlook of the Tennessee River, where it horseshoes through the gorge.
This is one of the most photographed locations in Chattanooga, and sometimes, you’ll even see people taking engagement photos or wedding photos here!
Pro Tip: If you want to continue hiking, you can try the Pot Point Loop hike.
10. Mushroom Rock
- Length: 2.04 miles, out-and-back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 338 ft
- Dogs: Allowed on-leash
Mushroom Rock Trail near Chattanooga is one of those hikes that just makes you smile. The trail is a pretty easy walk through the woods, with enough rocky bits to keep it interesting.
The mix of shady trees and rock formations along the way keeps things fun, and when you finally reach the giant “mushroom,” you can’t help but stop and take it all in. It’s the perfect spot to snap a quick pic or hang out for a bit before heading back.
11. Greeter Falls
- Length: 1.1 miles, loop
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 232 ft
- Dogs: Allowed on-leash
This hike could not be left off the list of best hikes in Chattanooga, especially if you ask a local. This super popular waterfall is a perfect hike year-round, but even better during the warmer months because you can get in the water at the base of the falls!
On the weekends, this place can get pretty packed, and it’ll be difficult to get a spot in the parking lot. So, I recommend getting there early to make sure you can find a spot.
The hike itself is not too difficult at all and it is pretty well marked, so you should need to worry about not finding the falls. Once you reach the spiral staircase, you’re basically right at the falls, you can even see them once you reach the bottom of the stairs.
There are large rocks at the falls where you can sit and bask in the waterfalls, have a picnic, or drop your stuff and hop in the water!
12. Sycamore Falls
This is a true hidden gem in the South Cumberland State Park, and I gotta say this deserves its place in the list of best hikes in Chattanooga! This waterfall is tucked away in the forest and offers a great hike and perfect place to spend a summer day.
Most of the trail leads beside the river, with plenty of trees for shade. It has incredible rock formations throughout and smaller waterfalls along the trail. There are many tree roots, small boulders, and large rocks along the trail, so make sure wear the right shoes and take your time getting to the falls.
Once you reach the falls, you can enjoy the view from above on the ridge, or scramble your way to the base of the falls. If you’re looking to dip your toes in, it’s definitely possible, you’ll just have to cross through the river a couple of times to reach the swimming hole at the bottom.