Distance: 2.9 mi
Elevation Gain: 511 ft.
Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hrs.
Style: Loop

Parking Fee: Free

The Hardy Trail Loop is an easily accessible extension of the well known Guild Trail in Chattanooga. The loop combines one mile of relatively flat, wide, gravel path with about two miles of technical single track along the Mountain Beautiful Trail. The trail begins and ends next to the Cravens House parking lot (a historic building preserved by the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park), or can be reached via a short road walk from the Guild Trail. Features: This trail includes beautiful, panoramic views of the city from Cravens House, passes twice below the iconic Incline Railway, traverses below towering cliffs, and beneath overhanging rock faces along the Mountain Beautiful Trail.

I recommend the Guild-Hardy section of this trail (1 mile) for biking, trail running, and hiking. The Mountain Beautiful section is only suitable for hiking and more technical trail running, as it is less maintained.

Connecting from the Guild Trail: Follow the Guild Trail until you reach its intersection with Upper Truck Trail. Make a left to continue on the Guild Trail (also referred to as Upper Truck Trail) until you intersect with Cravens Terr (road). Hike straight on Cravens Terr (road) for 0.3 miles. You will see a sign on your right for the turn up to Cravens House as well as a large Guild Trail sign just ahead on your right. Follow the gravel path beyond the Guild trail sign and continue with the directions below.

**Trail mileages listed below were measured using my Garmin GPS watch. They are approximate, not exact. Please only use them as a general guide.

Trailhead Address: Cravens House, 1026-1082 Cravens Terr, Chattanooga, TN 37409

Below is a step-by-step trail guide for hiking the Hardy-Mountain Beautiful Trail Loop in Chattanooga, TN. Take screenshots and follow along as you hike!

The parking lot at Cravens House has room for 10-15 vehicles. It’s free and can be popular on the weekends. To get to the Guild-Hardy Trail Head (hiking the loop clockwise), walk back down the road to where you first turned into the parking lot.

**If you prefer to hike the loop counter-clockwise (this guide will be going clockwise), begin on the Mountain Beautiful Trail just left of these signs. This area is located on the edge of the parking lot. You can see the tiny brown Mtn. Beautiful sign behind/to the left of the Rifle Pits sign here.

(back to clockwise) As you walk out of the parking lot and back toward the road, you will see a large trail sign for the “Guild Trail” on your right.

Follow the gravel path.

You will see signs for both the Guild Trail and the Guild-Hardy Trail. They’re the same.

The first mile of trail looks like this. Flat, wide, and well-maintained.

(0.4 miles) Pass under the Incline Railway.

Some nice view points in this section.

(1.15 miles) At this point you will make a hard right turn onto the Mountain Beautiful Trail. It’s easy to miss! Continuing straight will take you along a fence and eventually connect with the highway. If you find yourself walking along a fence by the road, you’ve gone too far.

The Mountain Beautiful Trailhead. Begin hiking uphill on a more technical, single track trail.

This trail is less maintained than the Guild-Hardy.

(1.5 miles) hike below a large rock overhang.

(1.6 miles) Some significant blow downs along the trail. I was able to climb through them fairly easily.

(1.7 miles) Hike beneath another large, overhanging rock.

(1.85 miles) Hike across a short wooden bridge. Watch your step.

(1.9 miles) Walk alongside a pretty rock wall.

(2.2 miles) Reach another intersection with the Incline Railway. This one is a little confusing with the signage. After searching the area for alternative routes, I believe the intent is to follow the trail beneath the tracks. It picks up again on the other side.

Quickly pass below the tracks without going off trail or making contact with the structure. This is private property and likely poses a safety risk – pass at your own risk. DO NOT pass if the rail car is nearby.

(2.5 miles) Come to a fork in the trail. Turn right here to stay on Mountain Beautiful Trail toward Cravens House. A left turn will put you on the Bluff Trail toward Point Park

You will see a small trail sign on your right pointing you toward Cravens House.

(2.7 miles) Go down a wooden staircase and make a hard right at the bottom.

At the bottom of the staircase make a hard right/U-turn. Continuing straight from the staircase will put you on the wrong trail.

(2.8 miles) Pass a grey historic marker on your left. You’re almost there!

(2.9 miles) Arrive back at Cravens House parking lot. Great job 🙂

Beautiful views from Cravens House deck

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Need new hiking gear?

I’ve listed some my favorite gear below. With each qualifying purchase I receive a small percentage of the profits (at no extra cost to you), helping to support this site.

• Trail Runners: Altra Lone Peak 9 Trail Running Shoe: Women’s, Altra Lone Peak 9 Trail Running Shoe: Men’s
• Day Pack: Osprey Sportlite with Hydraulics Reservoir
• Trekking Poles: LEKI Jannu Aluminum Adjustable Lightweight Walking Poles
• Satellite Communicator (SOS): Garmin inReach® Messenger Handheld Satellite Communicator
• Headlamp: BLACK DIAMOND Spot 350 Headlamp
• Not a fan of Amazon? This gear can also be found on Backcountry.com

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