Lookout for Family Friendly HIKING Trails
Lookout Mountain is home to many hiking trails. From Cloudland Canyon Park to Point Park there’s plenty of trails in between. If you’re wondering where to start with this treasure trove of trails, use this guide to find the most family friendly hiking trails Lookout Mountain has to offer. These easy trails will allow you to enjoy Lookout Mountain‘s unique nature, no matter your age or skill level.
Sunset Rock/Bluff Trail
If you’ve visited Sunset Rock for sunset before, then you know about the small trek down to the bluff. But did you know there’s a trail that starts there too? To the left of the bluff, you’ll find a trail that starts to go further down the mountain’s edge. This is the Bluff Trail. Once you get down the rock steps, the trail becomes more widened and flat with only gradual ups and downs. As the name implies, you will be able to see beautiful views from this trail as you walk along the bluffed edges of the mountain. This trail is one mile from Sunset Rock to Point Park. If you want to enter the park though, there’s a lot of stairs up to the park. Parking here is limited as the small parking lot only holds eight cars and this spot is popular, especially in the evenings and on weekends. If you’re able to hit this trail in the off-season (winter) and on a weekday, parking shouldn’t be a worry. For the exact location, click HERE.
Craven’s House Trail
Take the trail to the right for more even and flat terrain. 
This trail starts from the Craven’s House (surprise, right?) and follows the same mountain side as the Bluff Trail just at a slightly lower elevation. When you start the trail you’ll see the map pictured above that informs you of the different trail intersections including where it meets up with the Bluff Trail. Since it follows the same pattern as the Bluff Trail, you’ll find it has similar views. However, I recommend the Bluff Trail if views are what you’re really here for. Again, this trail is moderately wide and flat making it one of the family friendly hiking trails on Lookout Mountain. Parking is usually plentiful here at Craven’s House with a parking lot up by the house that can fit about twenty cars. Down the road just below the house sits about ten more parking spaces as well, but the hike up those stairs can be exhausting if you’re not prepared for it. For directions to the upper parking lot, click HERE.
Glen Falls Trail
Upper falls 
Steps to upper falls 
Pool in the middle 
Lower falls 
On the other side of the mountain is Glen Falls. The hike is only a half mile there plus a half mile back. It’s a slight decline getting there and then rock steps up to the middle of the series of small waterfalls. I love this trail for it’s one of a kind setup. There’s a good sized pool of water dividing the upper and lower falls and the trail leads you right to this via a man-made wooden bridge. After you cross the bridge, take the trail that juts up to the right and you’ll find a narrow passageway between boulders. On the other side of this passageway lies the best view of the upper waterfalls. This is typically where I turn around and head back, but both trails continue to the main road. Keep in mind the hike back will be slightly uphill so don’t rush. This is another easy favorite of mine as the trail is flat enough with no steep ascents or descents besides the rock steps. Parking at this location is limited as it’s just a pull-off from the main road down the mountain. About eight cars can park here. I’d advice approaching this one from going down the mountain road rather than up it as it sits on the downward mountain side. For the exact location to park, click HERE.
That sums up a few of the many trails on Lookout Mountain to get your hiking started. I’ll share more trails from this mountain at a later date. Until then, let me know in the comments below if you’ve hiked these trails before and what your thoughts are about them. And if you’ve hiked some of the other trails on the mountain, let me know what your favorite is. Have fun and be safe Exploring Chatt!
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