Distance: 7 mi
Elevation Gain: 665 ft.
Estimated Time: 3-4 hrs.
Style: out-and-back

Parking Fee: Free

The Guild Trail is a Chattanooga treasure. The (mostly) gravel path was converted from an old railroad bed along the side of Lookout Mountain. It passes under the famous Incline Railway, alongside Ruby Falls castle, and provides multiple panoramic city views. The trail is gradual and well maintained. It’s popular for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking.

In this guide, I’ll be focusing on the first 3.5 miles of the Guild Trail, beginning at the parking lot off Ochs Highway and ending where the trail meets Cravens Terrace (another road).

**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: Guild-Hardy Loop Trail Parking Lot, Ochs Highway, Chattanooga, TN

Directions to Trailhead: From St. Elmo Ave, make a turn onto Ochs Highway. Drive up Lookout Mountain for a few minutes and you’ll see the small parking lot on your left just after a cross walk. Turn left on Guild Trail road to access the parking lot. Be aware that the parking lot is small and may be full on weekends or weekday evenings.

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

Guild Trail sign on display at the parking lot off Ochs Highway.

There’s room for about 10 cars in this lot. It fills up on the weekends! The best time to visit is weekday mornings and mid-day. If the lot is full, you can also park at Ruby Falls. Parking at Ruby Falls is free and the trail passes directly through (more information below).

To get to the trail, take the cross walk over Ochs Highway. Make sure to hit the button for caution lights and look out for traffic.

Pass by the Guild Trail sign and continue straight on the gravel path.

(0.25 miles into hike) Pass underneath the Incline Railway tracks. It’s not uncommon to see the Incline go by. If you hear it coming, stop for a quick break!

(0.5 miles into hike) Pass over a wooden bridge. During the fall and winter seasons, you’ll see a nice panoramic view of the city from this bridge.

The Guild Trail is commonly referred to as the “Guild-Hardy Trail,” as it is often looped together with the nearby Hardy Trail.

The views are more obstructed in the summer, but still pleasant.

(0.7 mi into hike) Pass by the trailhead for Miller’s Way on your right.

(0.8 mi) Cross over a second wooden bridge.

(1 mile into hike) You’ll see another sign for the Guild Trail as you meet with the edge of Ruby Falls parking lot.

Continue straight through the parking lot. Do not turn left up the hill.

Continue straight, heading toward the road crossing.

You will see Ruby Falls castle up above to your left.

Carefully cross the road and continue hiking straight through the parking lot.

Pass by a metal staircase leading to the upper parking lot. Ruby falls has restrooms, a gift shop, and a cafe all of which are open to the public. If you need a pit stop, this a great place for it. To continue on the trail, bypass the staircase.

Keep going. Almost there.

Continue onto the gravel path at the far end of the parking lot.

Alternative bathroom option if you chose not to go up to Ruby Falls…

This gravel lot is meant for trailhead parking. If the parking lot off Ochs Highway is full, this is another option.

(1.4 miles into hike) Rejoin the Guild Trail at the yellow gate. You’ll see a trail sign ahead.

After a brief section in the sun, the trail becomes more wooded.

(2 miles into hike) Pass a metal cannon statue on your right.

(2.6 miles into hike) Come to a junction with Upper Truck Trail. You’ll see another sign for the Guild Trail on your left. Turning right will put you on a dirt trail heading deeper into Lookout Mountain. Turning left will keep you on a gravel path, switching back for another mile. If you’ve had enough fun, make this your turn around point and head back the way you came. If you’d like to continue another mile on similar terrain, make a left turn. If you’d like to explore more on dirt hiking trails, heading deeper into the woods, make a right (I will not provide any further information for the trail heading this direction, so proceed at your own risk).

Map at the trail junction. You are currently located at the switchback point (where the trail comes to a point about halfway).

(2.9 mi) Camp Demaray plague and ruins on your left

(3.1 mi into hike) Bypass the turn-off for Rifle Pits trail on your right. Continue straight.

Shortly after you’ll see a metal train conductor statue on your left.

(3.5 miles into hike) The trail meets with Cravens Terrace road. This is your turn around point. Head back the way you came, and maybe stop for a sweet treat at Ruby Falls on the way. Happy Trails!

**Alternate Ending: If you continue straight on Cravens Terrace road (veering right/uphill, not left), you will eventually reach Craven’s House (on your right). From Craven’s House you can connect to a number of other trails. I’d only encourage this exploration if you have a phone with gps on hand. Have fun, don’t get lost!

---

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

---

Check out my Youtube channel: Foggy Mountain Trails

---