Hiking is Back-Cravens House to Upper Guild Trail

So I am going to try to post several hikes and a couple of other events today. I am told my write-ups are too long. so this writeup is brought to you by Cyberdyne Systems

"Resistance is futile, but snacks are still highly encouraged." Cyberdyne Systems

Some of you will get that. This is an after church Funday hike.

Join us for a scenic, group-friendly hike on the historic Upper Guild Trail to Cravens House! This is the perfect outing if you want beautiful Lookout Mountain views without grueling, steep climbs. Because the trail follows an old railway bed, the incline is incredibly gentle and steady, making it easy to chat, socialize, and hike side-by-side.
We will wrap up our trek at the historic Cravens House before heading over to The Taphouse for post-hike drinks and food! This route offers a fantastic mix of shade, Civil War history, and beautiful wooded scenery.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. The Start: Park for free at the Cravens House parking lot. Head to the right of the historic home to locate the trailhead. [1, 2, 3]
2. Rifle Pits to the Guild: Take the Rifle Pits Trail heading down the slope. You'll pass historic Civil War earthworks before hitting a junction. Turn left onto the Guild Trail. [1]
3. Cruising the Guild & Upper Truck: This section is incredibly smooth, following an old 1880s narrow-gauge railroad bed. You'll pass under the towering tracks of the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway. Continue onto the connected Upper Truck Trail, a wide gravel service road. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
4. The Climb to Sunset Rock: Watch your trail signs carefully. Turn left onto the Gum Springs Trail. This is the toughest, steepest part of the hike—it climbs abruptly over rocks and roots right up to the base of the massive sandstone cliffs. [1, 2]
5. Sunset Rock to Cravens House: Pop out at Sunset Rock for sweeping views of the Tennessee River and Chattanooga Valley. Once you've taken in the view, take the Cravens House Trail (intersecting with the Bluff Trail system) to make a steady, scenic descent right back down to your car

📍 Meetup Details

• Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
• Time: 1:30 PM
• Distance: ~5.0 miles total (Out-and-Back)
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (Modest, gentle elevation gain)
• Pace: Casual / Social
• Meeting Location: Cravens House Parking Lot (1110 Cravens Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37409). This lot is spacious and perfect for a larger group. (Plus, it avoids the crowded Ruby Falls traffic!) [1]

🍔 Post-Hike Social
After we finish the hike, we'll head down the mountain to The Taphouse to grab a bite to eat, celebrate a successful trail run, and keep the conversation going.
🎒 What to Bring

• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
• Plenty of water and snack for me!