Lookout Mountain Guild/Hardy Trail
 Trail Description:
Lookout Mountain Guild-Hardy Trail is a
walking and biking trail located on the side of scenic Lookout Mountain. The
trail was built on the historic route of the C & LM Broad Gauge Railroad and
follows its path up the mountain. Two remaining trestles are the most
captivating evidence of the railroad. The Guild-Hardy Trail provides walkers
and cyclists access to a multitude of trails on Lookout Mountain, National Park
Service and Reflection Riding. The GH Trail winds through forested mountain
slopes littered with historical ruins, by Ruby Falls and the Cravens House.
 Another
fun option is to continue east on the Upper Truck Trail. This is no longer a
railroad bed but more like a traditional mountain bike trail with ups and downs
and curves. It is a forest service road so is not technical but it is a lot of
fun. It dead ends into the Skiuka Springs trail up and down the mountain but
this is a hiking only trail and we ask that you respect this restriction. The
Upper Truck Trail is an out and back trail at this time.
 Following
is a detail description for starting at the top of Lookout Mtn. Generally it is
recommended to start at the trailhead at the bottom of the mountain on Ochs
Highway. There is a parking area at the trailhead and it's nice to have it
downhill all the way back.
 The
Guild Trail is very appropriate for anyone on "off-road" bikes. It is dirt and
gravel for the most part with a very short section of pavement at the Cravens
House, when you cross at Ruby Falls and on top of the mountain before you
actually get to the trail. It is a very gentle grade and downhill all the way.
 The
only tricky part is getting to the trail. You start down the mountain on
the road like you are going to Ruby Falls. If you are coming from the Incline,
just follow the signs to Ruby Falls. Make sure the kids go very slow here and
please wear helmets. After the first or second curve on the left you will see
the start of a trail with a fence along the side. This is it and you have to go
across traffic to get to it. That is why it is so tricky. Don't let me scare
you. There isn't a lot of traffic - most likely there won't be any - but you
just have to be very careful and be able to come to a dead stop if necessary.
 Now
you have it made. Just follow the trail and it will go under the Incline and
come to another gate before merging into a paved road. All these gates have bike
friendly openings. They are to keep out other vehicles. Continue in the same
direction on the paved road (toward the left). The Cravens House is up the hill
on your far left. Stay straight on the road until it comes to a gate and
continues on as a trail. Continue down this trail until you come to a large
intersection area. One trail continues straight and is an out and back. But the
Guild Trail switches back to the right toward Ruby Falls. This is the only turn.
Continue on this trail until it lets you out at the Ruby Falls parking lot.
Continue straight through the parking lot and across the street into that
overflow area. You will see the trail start up again ahead. Continue on this,
over two trestles and under the Incline again, until you come to the Ochs Hwy
down the mountain. You are basically at the bottom. Just go left here and follow
Ochs Hwy into St Elmo where the Incline is a short block on the left.
Have a great time!
Location:
Side of Lookout Mountain
 Highlights:
Two railroad trestles, under the
Incline twice, views of the city, ride through the woods, historical ruins,
gentle grade, non-technical, take the Incline up the mountain with your bike -
ride down.
Directions:
From Downtown Chattanooga, take I-24 to
Lookout Mountain/Broad Street exit. Take Broad Street then left on Tennessee
Avenue and make a right turn onto Ochs Highway after The Incline. The Ochs
Highway trailhead parking lot will be on the left.
This is a multi-use trail. Please respect
the rights of other trail users and follow IMBA's rules of the trail. Always
yield the trail to other users.
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