Discover the Best Hikes in Chattanooga, Tennessee Centered on the banks of the mighty Tennessee River, Chattanooga is flanked to the east by the lofty Southern Appalachian Mountains and to the west by the rugged Cumberland Plateau. So it is within easy reach of an incredible array of hiking destinations. Explore 40 of Chattanooga’s best, five-star trails, divided into six distinct areas in and around the city. With the expert guidance of Tennessee author Johnny Molloy, you’ll take a ramble through the backcountry of the Cohutta Wilderness, a trek to a natural bridge on the Cumberland Plateau, a history-rich stroll along a Civil War battlefield, or a quick escape on a greenway near your home. Book Features: Descriptions of 40 five-star hiking trails for all levels and interests - GPS-based trail maps, elevation profiles, and detailed directions to trailheads - Insight into the history, flora, and fauna of the routes - Ratings for scenery, difficulty, trail condition, solitude, and accessibility for children Lace up, grab your pack, and hit the trail! Johnny Molloy is an outdoors writer based in Johnson City, Tennessee. Born in Memphis, he moved to Knoxville in 1980 to attend the University of Tennessee (UT). During his college years, he developed a love of the natural world that has since become the primary focus of his life. It all started on a backpacking foray into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That first trip was a disaster; nevertheless, Johnny discovered an affinity for the outdoors that would lead him to backpack and canoe-camp throughout the United States over the next three decades. Today, he averages nearly 200 nights out per year. After graduating from UT with a degree in economics, Johnny spent an ever-increasing amount of time in the wild, becoming more skilled in a variety of environments. Friends enjoyed his adventure stories; one even suggested that he write a book. He pursued that idea and soon parlayed his love of the outdoors into an occupation. The results of his efforts are more than 50 books. These include hiking, camping, paddling, and other comprehensive guidebooks, as well as books on true outdoor adventures. Johnny has also written for numerous publications and websites, as well as his local paper, the Johnson City Press. He continues to write and travel extensively to all four corners of the United States, exploring a variety of outdoor activities. Riverwalk at Chickamauga Dam Scenery: 3, Trail Condition: 5, Children: 4, Difficulty: 2, Solitude: 1 GPS Trailhead Coordinates: N35° 6.133' W85° 13.827' - Distance & Configuration: 3-mile out-and-back - Hiking Time: 1.8 hours - Highlights: Tennessee River views, trailside art, fishing, picnicking - Elevation: 640' at trailhead, 660' at high point - Access: No fees, permits, or passes required - Maps: Tennessee Riverpark; USGS East Chattanooga, Chattanooga - Facilities: Restroom, benches near trailhead - Wheelchair Access: Yes - Contacts: Tennessee Riverpark, 423-493-9239, parks.hamiltontn.gov Overview Enjoy a slice of Chattanooga’s nationally renowned greenway―Riverwalk. Start on its eastern end, just below Chickamauga Dam, and walk amid landscaped grounds overlooking the mighty Tennessee River. Along the way, pass through a large greenspace enhanced with outdoor art. Make a little loop through Fishing Park, with its numerous angling piers extending into the water, before returning to Chickamauga Dam. Route Details Chattanooga’s Riverwalk is a nationally acclaimed model not only as an exercise and hiking destination but also as a way to enhance river frontage and gather the community. Its actual name is Tennessee Riverpark, but the term Riverwalk has superseded the original in common nomenclature. In the early 1980s the idea was born to build a linear preserve along the Tennessee River extending from Chickamauga Dam to Lookout Mountain. The original plan was unveiled in 1985. Citizens and government personnel all realized the creation of the Riverwalk would come in stages, just as the building of the Appalachian Trail was a section-by-section endeavor. Tennessee’s master hiking path, the Cumberland Trail, is undergoing such a process today. And so goes Riverwalk. This particular section travels from Chickamauga Dam to Fishing Park, the first section of path to be built. It opened in 1989. The trail currently extends to downtown Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain. It has been an incredible success, so much so that the newest sections have been the widest segment of trail yet, built to accommodate a high volume of hikers, joggers, bicyclists, and other outdoor enthusiasts. As magnificent as the Riverwalk is, it is but one greenway in an ever-expanding system of linear trails coursing through greater Chattanooga. The North Chickamauga Creek Greenway and the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway come to mind. Stay tuned for more expansion while enjoying the current open segments, including this one. After parking a