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Hawthorne Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 32 Google reviews · Running trail in Chattanooga, Tennessee · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Hawthorne Trailhead's 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.

MixedOpen 24h

What runners say about Hawthorne Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (32 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

This is a very nice paved trail. It is great for walking running or cycling. Lots of opportunities to experience nature along the creek. The Boardwalk is very nice and it feels like you are in a bayou.

★★★★★ — Adventure , Jan 2024

Good parking area to access Riverwalk, lock your doors while you're away, not a lot of people, you might see a transient... be very careful if you ride or walk on the wooden bridge while it's damp, VERY slippery

★★★★☆ — John , Jul 2025

Great trail, elevated wood decked trail running upstream, asphalt & elevated decking downstream. Downstream connects to the Tennessee River Park

★★★★★ — Tim , Nov 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 32 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.

🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“Great trail, elevated wood decked trail running upstream, asphalt & elevated decking downstream.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

“The Boardwalk is very nice and it feels like you are in a bayou.”

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Plan your run at Hawthorne Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • 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.
  • Websitetpl.org
  • Phone(423) 643-6311

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Hawthorne Trailhead

S Chickamauga Creek Greenway, Chattanooga, TN 37406

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.

Tennessee Riverpark

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,414 reviews

Chattanooga, TN

10 miMixedScenicDog-friendly

Landscaped trail tracing a 10-mile river dotted with public art, picnic tables & fishing piers.

under a mile away

Amnicola Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 18 reviews

Chattanooga, TN

under a mile away

Riverpoint

4.8 ★★★★★ 274 reviews

Chattanooga, TN

MixedScenic

Clean waterfront trail popular for jogs, bike rides and picnics.

under a mile away

Sterchi Farm Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 97 reviews

Chattanooga, TN

BoardwalkScenic

Park featuring trails, a river ramp, and picnic tables, plus restrooms.

1.1 miles away

Tennessee Riverpark Amnicola Marsh

4.9 ★★★★★ 32 reviews

Chattanooga, TN

Scenic

Park featuring picnic spots, scenic trails for walking and biking, and fishing piers.

1.8 miles away

TVA Big Ridge Small Wild Area

4.5 ★★★★★ 197 reviews

Hixson, TN

2.8 miLoopMixedDog-friendly

Scenic, 2.8-mile hiking trail with dog parks, plus a creek for kayaking.

2.1 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.