Chattanooga, Tennessee is well known for its stunning outdoor scenery, picturesque waterfalls, mountain hikes, and serene lakes. Located near the base of the Appalachian Mountains, the city has close access to a few surrounding National Forests - which makes it a perfect place for outdoor lovers to explore! In this blog post, we’ll highlight four of the best National Forest hikes near Chattanooga.

Before diving in, let’s go over some general practices to follow before hitting the trails. First, make sure to follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out what you pack in. Leave the trails better than you found it. We have to take care of nature, especially if we want to continue to admire its beauty.

Additionally, plan ahead by checking the weather in the area you’re heading to. This will allow you to know what to expect so you can dress appropriately.

Now, let’s dive into these beautiful trails!

Chestnut Mountain Bluff Trail

If you're looking for stunning views of the Southern part of the Appalachian Mountain range, then you can't miss out on this trail. The one-mile trek is definitely worth it, but we'll leave it up to you to decide for yourself. This trail is located in the breathtaking Cherokee National Forest in Polk County, Tennessee and makes for a perfect day hike.

The hike has a steep climb with an elevation gain of 580 feet. Be prepared to get a workout in with this one.

I recommend downloading the trail map before getting there, as the trail is not well marked. AllTrails is an amazing app to use to be able to download trail maps. Also, the rocks along the path can be very slippery when wet so be sure to take your time.

Once you reach the final climb, you are rewarded with stunning views of the Appalachian Mountain range, filled with peaks and valleys as far as your eye can see!

Click here to learn more about this trail.

Long Creek Falls

Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Suches, Georgia, this hidden gem is a perfect day hike for a solo hiker or the whole family! Long Creek Falls is 1.9 miles long, out and back, and has a total elevation gain of about 300 feet.

The hike leads along the Appalachian Trail and through the Three Forks Valley. For most of the trek, you’ll walk alongside the river, which has access to other mini waterfalls and scenery to look at.

After about a mile of hiking, you’ll find yourself at the base of the 50 foot waterfall cascading over a rockwall into a small pool below. Hemlock trees and rhododendrons create an overall picture that is truly breathtaking.

Click here to learn more about this trail.

Grassy Mountain Tower

If you’re looking for a hike that offers a great deal of excitement, then the Grassy Mountain Tower hike is the perfect adventure! A beautiful trek in the Chattahoochee National Forest near Chattanooga, the trail is four miles long roundtrip and has an elevation gain of around 798 feet.

As you hike along the well-maintained trail, gorgeous landscapes are around each turn. The climb is somewhat gradual, making this a hike doable for most hiking levels without too much difficulty.

Once you reach the tower, the highest point of your hike, grab your phone or camera to capture the beauty of the 360-degree views at the top. On occasion, the tower deck may be unlocked and you can climb to get a better view of this phenomenon. But if not, you can still climb up the steps to see above the treeline.

Click here to learn more about this trail.

Fall Branch Falls

Located near Cherry Log, Georgia in the Chattahoochee National Forest, the Fall Branch Falls Trail is a must-do hike. This is a fairly short hike, spanning a total of 0.9 miles round trip and has an overall elevation gain of about 200 feet.

Fall Branch Falls about 2 hours away from Chattanooga and can get pretty crowded on the weekends. So it’s best to go either early in the morning or during the week if you’re looking for more solitude.

The hike starts at the parking area and begins a moderate climb through the forest from the start. The trail is well maintained, and once you reach the waterfall, there is even a platform to admire this beautiful 30-foot waterfall. Many people go down to the rocks past the platform to get a closer view and take better pictures of the waterfall.

Bonus tip: The Benton Mackaye Trail is located right next to the waterfall and you can hop over to that once you reach the platform, this leads to a view of the waterfall from the upper portion of the falls!

Click here to learn more about this trail.

About the Author

Tee George is an outdoor influencer that is based out of Atlanta, GA highlighting beautiful destinations in the Southeast and beyond. She can most often be found exploring the great outdoors whether it’s through hiking, camping, skiing, or water sports. Her love for exploring is both inclusive and inspiring as she uses her social channels to encourage people of all backgrounds to spend time outside.

You can find her on Instagram and read about her adventures on her blog.

Cover photo by Jean Guidry.

--------

You now know that National Forests provide more hiking opportunities than any other public lands in the U.S. The NFF is determined to ensure this incredible resource is always available. Your unrestricted gift today can help us restore trails, improve safety, and much more. Please click here to make your gift today. Thank you!