Big Daddy

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Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 10.4 miles / 16.7 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

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Overview: Big Daddy is a route involving 7 trails on Lookout Mountain and together these offer a tour of what makes Chattanooga a great trail running city. Located within minutes of downtown the trailhead is behind the historic Craven's House where you can also view Civil War monuments. Begin on Rifle Pits and descend until the intersection with the Guild Trail. A left on the Guild and you will transition to Upper Truck Trail where Guild turns right around hairpin corner. Truck Trail will be left and Guild to right at turn. After a very short distance, take next right onto Lower Gum Springs Trail until the next intersection with Skyuka Trail and turn left. Follow Skyuka until it ends at John Smartt Trail. Turn left and climb John Smartt Trail till you arrive at Bluff Trail. Do not take Jackson Gap Trail, stay left at sign. Follow Bluff until you come to Craven's Trail near Point Park, there is a wooden kiosk and signs to guide you. Craven's Trail is a quick descent and brings you back to Craven's House. There are group runs posted on Meetup.com under Chattanooga Trail Runners and Big Daddy is a popular evening and weekend run.

Tips: Carry water and study the route. There is a very detailed map of all Lookout Mountain available on the Wild Trails website. Be prepared for a thigh burning ascent up the John Smartt Trail and then a remarkably scenic run along the Bluff Trail being treated to why Chattanooga is called the Scenic City.

Points of Interest

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Craven's House

This historical Civil War era home has several monuments and plaques the most prominent of which is the Ireland's New York Brigade constructed in 1896.

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Craven's and Rifle Pits Trails

This is the end of Craven's Trail on your left and the start of Rifle Pits is on the right or straight ahead.

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Lower Gum at TT

Once on the Upper Truck Trail proceed .15 miles and there will be a trail on your right. This is called Lower Gum Springs. Take the right and head for Skyuka Springs Trail.

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John Smartt

The Skyuka Trail ends at the John Smartt Trail. Get ready to climb! A left turn and you've got 2 miles of thigh burning deep breathing ahead. You are now in Georgia.

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Jackson Gap Trail

Near the top of the John Smartt Trail you pass the turn off for Jackson Gap on your right. This trail leads to Covenant College and Jackson Springs where there is a lake. The trail continues across Covenant College onto Lula Lake, Longbranch, High Point, and the 5 Points Mountain Bike Trail area. Eventually the trail will connect Cloudland Canyon State Park allowing for a trip from Chattanooga to Cloudland on Trails.

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Bluff Trail

The Bluff Trail a great hike or run. There are numerous rock outcroppings and features to look at. Take your time and enjoy the terrain.

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More Bluff

The trail twists and winds back into Tennessee and you know you are close to civilization when you cross this metal-grated bridge with concrete steps. Be careful along the trail, there are areas of washout and very narrow single track with no barrier between you and a long dropoff to your left.

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Bluff Again

Be sure to enjoy the views of Lookout Valley. Closer to the end of the trail you begin to see more safety signs and cable barriers on the cliffs. Again, be careful especially with children.

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Bluff at Gum Springs

The first chance to go back down the mountain is Gum Springs Trail. It is a sharp drop to your left. Right now it is marked with wooden sign on the tree but there have been better signs in the past. Stay right and go slightly upward. Another interesting sight along this section of trail is the rock climbers. They are out most weekends and you can see the chalk on the rock where thay have been.

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Sunset Rock

You will see signs for Sunset Rock in a couple of places. This is a fantastic place to sit and gaze out upon Lookout Valley and the surrounding mountains. You will probably see rock climbers along this section of trail.

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Craven's at Bluff

Finally you arrive at a wooden kiosk and a sign for Craven's and Point Park. Head downward at this point to Craven's House. You can extend your run or hike around the bend of the mountain using Mountain Beautiful Trail and will be treated to a magnificent view of downtown Chattanooga. The trail winds back down and deposits you on the Hardy Trail. Take a left and the Hardy becomes the Guild near Craven's House brining you full circle. That route will be listed in a future guide.