Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park | BLUE BLAZES LOOP TRAIL

Entrance to the Blue Blazes Trail on the side of the parking lot

Entrance to the Blue Blazes Trail on the side of the parking lot


Moccasin Bend National Archaeological District


Length: 2-mile loop
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: easy, relatively flat with a few minor hills

The Blue Blazes Loop Trail is in the Moccasin Bend National Archeological District of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. It is located off of Moccasin Bend Road, and there is a small parking lot at the sight.

You will find trailheads on both sides of the street, one marked by a post with a blue square on it and the other marked by an information board. During my visit I saw that this caused confusion to nearly everyone attempting to hike the trail. The trial is a loop; you go in one side and come out the other, thus it makes no difference which way you start. Furthermore, it is relatively flat, so there is no advantage to starting off one way or the other.

Entrance to the Blue Blazes Trail on the opposite side of the road from the parking lot

Entrance to the Blue Blazes Trail on the opposite side of the road from the parking lot

Of the two trails at Moccasin Bend, this is the one to skip. It offers no insight into the Civil War, the Trail of Tears, or even ancient history. A few sections, especially by the river, are a season away from being lost to nature. Downed trees and briers are common. Even the one highlight of the hike, a view of the Tennessee River, is difficult to access.

Overgrown section of the Blue Blazes Trail

Overgrown section of the Blue Blazes Trail

Downed trees, typical along the Blue Blazes Trail

Downed trees, typical along the Blue Blazes Trail

When I was getting ready to start the hike, a guy came out of the forest and asked me if I had ever hiked the trail. “No,” I told him. He said he thought it was supposed to be a loop, but once past the river the trail “sort of petered out,” so he turned around. When I got to that point I just plowed through the tall grass with hopes of finding a trail at the end, which I did. Oddly enough, on the November weekend when I visited there were many people hiking the trail, so I don’t understand how it can get so overgrown.

Anyway, for those who want to try it, as mentioned, start from either entrance. I hiked counterclockwise, starting from the blue trail marker. There are no side trials or confusing intersections, so the hike is pretty straight forward, other than the few times when you may doubt you are actually on a trail.

The trail starts off by following alongside a golf course. This section is fairly well maintained.

Golf course along side the Blue Blazes Trail

Golf course along side the Blue Blazes Trail

In around 20 minutes you will be at the river, accessed across a field of grass—just follow the beaten paths and go towards a rust colored sign.

Path to the Tennessee River

Path to the Tennessee River

You can see the river through a small opening in the brush, but to get to the water you have to make your way over a pit of small rocks. Be careful not to break an ankle.

Tennessee River

Tennessee River

Once done viewing the river, continue on, ignoring the fact that the trail seems to disappear into a sea of weeds. Just plow through; a trail awaits you ahead. You will have to do some stooping to get under fallen brush or short brush that has grown into an arch over the trail, but you should be back at your car in about a half hour.

Low hanging brush along the Blue Blazes Trail

Low hanging brush along the Blue Blazes Trail

I don’t want to make it sound as if you have to Lewis and Clark It™ to get through the Blue Blazes Trail, as 80% of the trail is clear and without problems. However, there are better hikes in the park, including the new Browns Ferry Federal Road Trail at the Archeological District’s northern parcel of land. I recommend that hike because it has a purpose—history. The Blue Blazes Trail really has no point, and it’s unruly even for those just wanting exercise.

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Last updated on November 4, 2021
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