This Gorge Hike Is One of Tennessee’s Most Scenic

Clocking in at 26 miles long, the Tennessee River Gorge is one of the largest river gorges in the Eastern United States. Naturally, this dreamy destination attracts folks from all over the globe. Everyone wants to catch the best view of the Tennessee River Gorge, and those aerial views come along with a hike. The Edward’s Point Trail offers some truly spectacular views, and it’s one you should absolutely add to your bucket list this year. 

This scenic hiking trail near Chattanooga is about four miles out and back with an elevation gain of 761 feet. As far as hiking trails in Tennessee are concerned, this is one of the easier ones. It’s kid-friendly and dog-friendly, just make sure the latter remains on a leash. There is a bit of scrambling, and it can be steep in some areas, but with the proper hiking gear, you’ll be good to go. 

You’ll be hiking through the Prentice Cooper State Forest, which is known for its lush, vibrant green trees, waterfalls, and limestone cliffs. 

There is an entire network of trails on Signal Mountain, so feel free to go on a side quest or two. For example, many hikers combine Rainbow Lake with Edwards Point. The trails are well-marked in some areas, but not great in other areas, so I’d recommend keeping an AllTrails map on your phone. It’s a fairly popular trail, so you may encounter other hikers along the way. 

You’ll pass by Rainbow Falls pretty early into the hike. Feel free to splash around to cool yourself off! 

After a bit of scrambling and traversing some steep sections, your efforts will be rewarded. Once you reach Edwards Point, you’ll have a spectacular, panoramic view of the Tennessee River Gorge and Signal Mountain. 

Bring some snacks, sit for a spell, and take in those views. I’m a sucker for a good view and I would sit here for hours just watching the clouds pass by. If you think these views are gorgeous in the summer, just wait until you see them in the fall! Make a mental note to return in the fall so you can see the fall foliage—there’s nothing like it. 

Parking is free, but the lot can fill up quickly on the weekends, so get there early if you want the trail to yourself for a bit! Are you thinking about taking this gorge hike in Tennessee? Before you go, grab an AllTrails+ account so you can download the trail map and see what other hikers think of this lovely hike. 
Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.