River to Clouds Route
CHATTANOOGA’S EPIC MULTI-SYSTEM ADVENTURE
The River to Clouds Route is Chattanooga’s most ambitious trail vision: a 34-mile long corridor connecting Chattanooga to Cloudland Canyon State Park on Lookout Mountain. Blending gravel rail-trails, National Park Service trails, rugged backcountry connectors, and flowing singletrack, the route weaves together the full diversity of Chattanooga’s trail network into one continuous thread.
The route can be ridden or hiked in either direction, or be done as an out and back. Along the way, expect technical rock gardens, scenic overlooks, tumbling mountain streams, hidden hollers, unique rock formations, abandoned mine sites, and some of the most historically significant landscapes in the region.
Featured in BIKEPACKING.com, River to Clouds is a bucket-list ride. The route links public lands managed by multiple organizations and you must get a permit from Lula Lake Land Trust if you want to pass through their property. Even if you select the downhill version, this 34-mile route requires proper planning and stamina. Backcountry campsites are available along the way including the full-service campground at Cloudland Canyon State Park. Reservations are required in advance. See Lula Lake Land Trust or Cloudland Canyon for details.
DIRT DEETS
Total Miles: ~34
Difficulty: Advanced
Trail Breakdown: Gravel, Technical XC, Plateau Trails, Backcountry Connectors
Amenities: Multiple along route: restrooms and facilities vary by segment; backcountry campsites available through Lula Lake Land Trust and Cloudland Canyon State Park
Note: The route crosses six land jurisdictions and rules vary by segment. Overnight parking and camping must be confirmed with each land manager. A permit is required to pass through Lula Lake Land Trust’s core preserve.
North Terminus
Tennessee Riverwalk,
Chattanooga, TN
Parking: Free
Eat: Little Coyote, Goodman’s Coffee, The Tap House, Han Mi
Stay: Wauhatchie Woodlands, Lookout Mountain Inn, The Crash Pad
Play: Ruby Falls, Rock City, Incline Railway, St. Elmo Boulders
South Terminus
Cloudland Canyon State Park
Rising Fawn, GA
Parking: $10/Vehicle
Eat: The Trailhead, Lookout Mountain Pizza, McLemore Resort
Stay: Cloudland Canyon State Park, McLemore Resort, Backcountry Sites
Play: Cloudland Canyon State Park, McLemore Resort, Lookout Mountain Flight Park