Located about 20 minutes from downtown Chattanooga, the Tennessee Valley Authority maintains 4 miles of hiking trails on Little Cedar Mountain, which is located on the shores of Nickajack Lake between I-24 and Nickajack Dam.

The main loop is 3 miles, follows the lakeshore and has a couple overlooks offering great views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The 1-mile Pond Trail connects the 2 sides of the main loop and passes by a small pond near the top of the mountain.

Consisting of approximately 320 acres, Little Cedar Mountain rises approximately 250 feet above the level of Nickajack Lake. Little Cedar Mountain is made primarily of limestone and hosts a diverse ecosystem. In addition to the diversity of plant life, the mountain supports an abundance of wildlife. Deer and turkey are commonly spotted and it’s not unusual to catch sight of an osprey or even a bald eagle from the overlooks.