Chattanooga is known for its variety of outdoor recreational activities. Whether rock climbing or mountain biking, Chattanooga offers something for everyone. The city is also well-known for its diversity of hiking trails that cater to all skill levels. With the abundance of natural beauty surrounding the downtown area, there are numerous family-friendly hikes that you and your kids can enjoy during your stay at Wauhatchie Woodlands. Let’s get started! Here is a list of some of the most popular family-friendly hikes in Chattanooga.
Blue Blazes Trail
1.5 miles | 28 minutes | easy
Get a taste of Chattanooga’s natural beauty by exploring the Blue Blazes Trail, located in the Moccasin Bend National Archeological District. Just short of two miles, this trail is a leisurely, family-friendly adventure that winds through the forest, lined with towering pine trees and occasional views of the Tennessee River.
You can begin your adventure from either trailhead off of Moccasin Bend Road; since it’s a loop trail, don’t worry about which way to start. As you walk along the trail, you’ll catch glimpses of the Tennessee River between breaks in the trees and brush.
At the end of the northern portion of the trail, you’ll stumble upon a golf course—an easy add-on if you want to extend the outing after taking in the trail’s natural beauty. This trail isn’t just a walk in the woods; it’s peaceful and offers enough variety to keep kids engaged.
After it rains, it’s common for the trail to have a few muddy spots—embrace it. It’s all part of the experience. If you’re exploring before dusk, keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife. You never know what fun creatures you’ll see!
Greenway Farms Loop
2 miles | 38 minutes | easy
The Greenway Farms Loop is the perfect family-friendly trail. With its wide, shaded paths and sand-packed, flat terrain, it’s popular with visitors of all ages. Walking or running this loop, you can expect to meet plenty of friendly fellow hikers.
This trail is located in Greenway Farm Park. The 180-acre park is full of ways to stay busy all day, and along the way you’ll find bits of local history that make the walk even more interesting.
You can easily access the loop from the trailhead at the parking lot, where you’ll also find restrooms. Along the trail, you’ll come across multiple abandoned structures, each with a plaque explaining their history. A dog park is situated directly next to Greenway Farms, so bring your pups along.
Upper Guild Trail
2.4 miles | 53 minutes | easy
The Upper Guild Trail is located next to one of Chattanooga’s top attractions, Ruby Falls. This trail is a great way to fill time between activities on Lookout Mountain—or simply a great way to explore this unique part of Chattanooga.
Considered one of the more approachable Lookout Mountain hikes, this trail is well-maintained and family-friendly. Upper Guild is part of a system that includes two trails that merge to follow the 5-mile span of the abandoned Guild Railway. If 2.5 miles feels like the perfect adventure, you can access this upper portion at the end of the Ruby Falls parking lot.
The path is lined with beautiful forest scenery and large boulders that add to the trail’s charm. Along the way, you’ll also find historic sites in the area, including Cravens House and Point Park.
Big Soddy Creek Gulf
3.5 miles | 1 hr 21 minutes | easy
The Big Soddy Creek Gulf Trail is a popular spot for locals and visitors. This area includes several swimming holes that draw crowds during the warmer months, and the trailhead near the gravel parking lot makes it easy to find.
The gulf offers hiking trails, mountain views, a waterfall, swimming holes, and rock formations along the creek. Much of the trail is flat and wide, which makes it a great option for families. If you don’t want to go the full distance, you can still reach the waterfall after about 1 mile of hiking.
Along the trail, there are plenty of places to rest—perfect for a snack break, a picnic, or dipping your feet in the creek. The creek follows the trail for most of the hike, creating peaceful, scenic views the whole way. Distance markers make it easy to track how far you’ve gone.
Glen Falls
2 miles | 1 hr 8 minutes | moderate
Sometimes, a quick adventure is all you need. Glen Falls, located in the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, packs big scenery into a short hike. In about 2 miles, you’ll get mountain views, fun trail features, and a graceful waterfall.
Only about a half-mile from the trailhead, you’ll reach the falls. Water slides over smooth slabs of rock into a pool below, and there are a few spots along the trail where adventurous families can wade or splash around during warmer months.
Along the way, you’ll cross a wooden bridge and encounter stone staircases—don’t let them intimidate you. They’re surprisingly manageable and lead to worthwhile scenery. You’ll also find unique stone formations, including a natural cave and a stone door, just waiting to be explored.
On the way back, look for viewpoints that open up to panoramic forested views—definitely worth a pause.
Stringers Ridge Park via Blue Trail
3.3 miles | 1 hr 28 minutes | moderate
Stringers Ridge is a local favorite that blends history with a surprisingly wild feel—right in the city. The park has multiple trails for hikers and bikers, but the Blue Trail is the most popular because it delivers some of the best scenery and overlook views.
You’ll start at the Spears Avenue Trailhead, where you’ll find restrooms and a water fountain. Be ready for about a half-mile of uphill hiking before you hit the first trail junction. The park is very user-friendly: most junctions have maps and benches, so it’s easy to follow the route you want. Even if you take a wrong turn, many trails loop back around—so getting lost is more of a challenge than a concern.
The Blue Trail has a steady incline, plenty of shade, and a wide-enough path to walk side-by-side. For one of the park’s most popular viewpoints, veer onto the Cherokee Trail, which leads to an overlook with fantastic views of the North Shore and downtown.
There’s also a decent-sized parking lot with free parking, so you can take your time and make a full outing of it.
Cravens House Trail
3.9 miles | 1 hr 53 minutes | moderate
Cravens House sits in an area that played a major role during the Civil War. Lookout Mountain was the site of the “Battle Above the Clouds” in November 1863, and the home served as headquarters for both Union and Confederate forces at different points during the conflict. Today, visitors can explore the grounds and learn about the area’s history.
This trail is part of a broader network within the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. It connects to other routes, letting you explore more of the park and enjoy sweeping views of the Tennessee River, Chattanooga Valley, and the city skyline. The vantage points are especially beautiful in the fall, when the foliage is at its peak.
Tennessee Riverwalk (Bonus)
16.1 miles | easy
The Tennessee Riverwalk stretches more than 16 miles along the southern banks of Chattanooga’s Tennessee River. Don’t be intimidated by the length—you don’t have to do it all at once. This paved path includes multiple access points, which makes it easy to tailor the walk to your family’s energy level.
This family-friendly route runs through the heart of downtown and provides direct access to the Bluff View Art District, the Walnut Street Bridge, and plenty of places to grab a bite and explore Chattanooga’s food scene.
You’ll find accessible restrooms, water fountains, and trail markers along the way. The best part: this trail can be as long or as short as you want. Pack your day full of stops—or keep it simple with a peaceful riverside stroll.
Not far from Wauhatchie Woodlands, these trails offer a little bit of everything—waterfalls, mountain views, shaded forests, and even a stroll through Chattanooga’s most iconic city scenery. So find your spirit of adventure and get ready to explore the Scenic City with your favorite hiking buddies.
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