Shingle Trail (click to enlarge)
See the Chattanooga Hiking Trails web page for a trail map of the entire park.
Distance: 1.4 mile round trip (out-and-back trail)
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous, up hill / down hill, but not straight up the mountain
The Shingle Trail is located on the slopes of Lookout Mountain in the Chattanooga Unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Though not as difficult as the Whiteside Trail, which runs straight up the mountain, the Shingle Trail still entails climbing, moderately downhill one way, and of course back up the other. You can start the hike either at the top at the now-closed picnic area on Sanders Road or at the bottom on Ochs Highway. Difficulty wise, it is irrelevant as to where you start. However, for parking and safety reasons, start at the picnic area.
If coming up Ochs Highway from Chattanooga, turn right on Sanders Road and then take the 2nd left, which is the entrance to the picnic area. Because it is now permanently closed, the gate is locked, so just park outside the gate and walk up the hill.
Sanders Road trailhead of the Shingle Trail on Lookout Mountain in the Chattanooga Unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
The trailhead is hard to find. When you come to the first bathroom house, walk up the stairs and the trail is in the woods to the left of the bathroom.
Shingle Trail trailhead at the on Lookout Mountain in the Chattanooga Unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
The trail is straightforward with no confusing side trails or unmarked intersections.
Typical terrain on the Shingle Trail on Lookout Mountain in the Chattanooga Unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
When you get to Ochs Highway you can either turn around and head back the way you came or continue on the Glen Falls Trail, which is a little down the road to the right. You do have to walk along Ochs Highway, so be very careful and quick about it. If you don’t plan to hike farther, DO NOT attempt to make a loop out of the hike by walking back along the highway because there is no shoulder and vehicles travel at high speeds. Walk back to the picnic area long the Shingle Trail.
The Glen Falls Trail is slightly to the right from where the Shingle Trail meets Ochs Highway
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Last updated on July 6, 2024
