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Guild-Hardy Trailhead, Lookout Mountain Trails

4.6 ★★★★★ 343 Google reviews · Running trail in Chattanooga, Tennessee · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Guild-Hardy Trailhead, Lookout Mountain Trails' own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

MixedScenicHillyTrailhead parkingMile markers

Shaded trail, featuring a waterfall and bike-riding trails, plus scenic overlooks.

What runners say about Guild-Hardy Trailhead, Lookout Mountain Trails

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (343 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 14 mentions

“More than your average trail, they put a lot into landscapes in parts beyond just the beautiful wilderness.”

👟 good for all levels 4 mentions

“We only hiked to the waterfall and back (about 1 mile) but it was a fairly easy trail and had some pretty scenery even after the leaves have fallen!”

First time experiencing any trail on Lookout Mountain. Trailhead was well marked and across the street from its small parking lot off of Ochs Highway. Double wide trail paved with gravel makes it easy to have a side-by-side conversation.

★★★★★ — Michelle , Feb 2022

Beautiful!!! Definitely not for beginners. However, I did see some kids. Wear shoes with good tread!!! Markers throughout the trail to guide you. Beautifulllll waterfalls! And then there's the bluehole that's almost clear and blue in color. So worth it and pretty! There was even a large and surreal cave!

★★★★★ — Theresa , Jun 2023

We took a short hike (approximately 1.5 miles in and 1.5 miles out) down the Glen Falls Trail! The 'falls' were mostly dry with a slight drizzle due to lack of rain, but hiking the large boulders and rocks up the creek bed was the best part for my family!

★★★★★ — Keeli , Sep 2020

Dog-friendly, a relatively flat trail that was easy to walk. Being able to walk beneath the Incline was a small treat. There were two walking bridges that gave a decent view of the city. There were some trails that branched off of this one. I also spotted a few people climbing some boulders.

★★★★☆ — L , Mar 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 343 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 27 mentions

“We only hiked to the waterfall and back (about 1 mile) but it was a fairly easy trail and had some pretty scenery even after the leaves have fallen!”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 21 mentions

“The reason it's so confusing is because it looks like it's just a parking lot and the trail entrance was a little hidden.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 9 mentions

“Gradual rise in elevation the entire way with a few landmarks like bridges, giant rocks and the Incline Railway passing overhead was a real treat.”

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🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 4 mentions

“Double wide trail paved with gravel makes it easy to have a side-by-side conversation.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 3 mentions

“Double wide trail paved with gravel makes it easy to have a side-by-side conversation.”

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📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

“Trailhead was well marked and across the street from its small parking lot off of Ochs Highway.”

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Plan your run at Guild-Hardy Trailhead, Lookout Mountain Trails

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitelookoutmountainconservancy.org
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Where to find Guild-Hardy Trailhead, Lookout Mountain Trails

498 Ochs Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37409

Get directions

Running trails near Chattanooga

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Point Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 4,336 reviews

Lookout Mountain, TN

Scenic

Elevated memorial park, featuring Civil War monuments, artillery & exhibits, plus sweeping vistas.

under a mile away

Glen Falls Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 105 reviews

Chattanooga, TN

Natural surfaceScenic

under a mile away

Tennessee Riverpark Wheland Foundry Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 162 reviews

Chattanooga, TN

2 miPavedScenic

Park featuring a paved trail for walking and biking, along with a restroom.

1.2 miles away

Sunset Rock

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,241 reviews

Lookout Mountain, TN

1.1 miNatural surfaceScenic

Rocky cliff overlooking a valley & Battle of Wauhatchie site with a steep hiking trail.

1.3 miles away

Blue Blazes Trail

4.1 ★★★★☆ 136 reviews

Chattanooga, TN

2 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

2-mi. loop trail along ancient shorelines via forests & swamps, with a Tennessee River overlook.

2.5 miles away

Blue Goose Hollow Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 353 reviews

Chattanooga, TN

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Clean park, with a paved walkway and sculptures where many people bike, walk or picnic.

3.2 miles away

All running trails in Chattanooga, TN →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.