Cumberland Trail Hiking Series
The Cumberland Trail is a scenic footpath along the eastern edge of the Cumberland Plateau that begins in Chattanooga’s backyard on Signal Mountain. Development and maintenance of the CT is a grassroots effort driven by volunteers with the Cumberland Trail Conference (CTC). The trail is still under construction, but with 210 of the projected 300 miles completed, there’s plenty of trail to explore. Outdoor Chattanooga aims to connect you with this scenic trail by offering 12 different short section hikes (4-7 miles each) throughout the year, including half-day hikes and equipped overnight backpacking adventures. We’ve carefully selected the one-way hikes to be mostly downhill and provide a shuttle to maximize the experience and miles covered. Bring your sense of adventure and join us for one hike or the whole series!
Registration is required in advance as space is limited in the shuttle vehicle. No fee for half day hikes, $65 per person for equipped overnight backpacking adventures. All details will be given upon registration. The CT is a remote trail over rugged terrain. Outdoor Chattanooga requires participants to have some hiking experience and be in good physical shape to hike 4-7 miles continuously on sections rated as moderately strenuous. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating parent or responsible adult.
What You’ll Learn
- Hiking and backpacking skills
- Essentials to carry
- How to read and follow trail maps
- More info about the area/sections hiked
FAQs
How much does it cost?
No fee for half day hikes
$65 per person for equipped overnight backpacking adventures.
Do I have to make a reservation in advance?
Do I need to have hiking experience to participate?
No, prior hiking experience is not required, but helpful. We do ask that participants be physically able to hike 4-7 miles consistently on a moderately strenuous terrain.
Will the hike be all downhill?
Although we’ve carefully selected the direction of the hike to be mostly downhill, we can’t guarantee the entire hike will be downhill as the terrain is varied and uneven and you should anticipate some elevation gain during the hike. We request that you are physically able to hike the full distance on a trail rated as moderately strenuous.
When are the hikes offered?
We offer 12 different hikes throughout the year. Details about the section and where to meet are given with registration via email.
2018 Hiking Series Schedule
January 13– Saturday
January 26– Friday
February 3– Saturday
March 2– Friday
March 10-11 Saturday to Sunday (backpack)
April 14-15 Saturday to Sunday (backpack)
April 27– Friday
May 11– Friday
June 8– Friday
October 27– Saturday
November 10-11 Saturday to Sunday (backpack)
December 1– Saturday
Events
Did You Know?
Completing short section hikes with Outdoor Chattanooga will earn you credit toward the 50 miler award from the Cumberland Trail Conference (CTC). To earn the 50 miler award, individuals must complete 50 unique miles on the Cumberland Trail and complete 10 hours of service work with the CTC.
Community Resources
Chattanooga Hiking Club
Chattanooga Hiking Meetup
Cherokee Hiking Club
CTC Map
CT Trail Map
Cumberland Trail Conference (CTC)
Friends of South Cumberland State Park
Sierra Club
Cherokee Group
Tennessee Chapter
Alabama Chapter
Georgia Chapter