The temperature today was to be in the mid 60’s so we thought it would be a great day to do some touristy attractions. There is an incline railway that will take you up 1 mile to Lookout Mountain that overlooks Chattanooga and , if the weather is right, you can see 7 states. It is 5 miles away. We had decided to take the Riverfront Path by bike to the base of the incline railway.
The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway (Incline No. 2) was opened on November 16, 1895 by the Chattanooga Incline and Lula Lake Railway and functions as a major mode of transportation to the top of the mountain. It was the second of two inclines constructed on Lookout Mountain; the first was the Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain Railway (Incline No. 1), which operated from 1886 to 1895 and dismantled in 1900. Service was disrupted twice by fires that destroyed the powerhouse, upper station and cars stored there overnight (the first fire occurring on December 13, 1896 and the second on March 24, 1919). Both fires put the railway temporarily out of service, substitute service being provided by the Chattanooga Railway and Light Company’s Lookout Mountain route. It was made as the only way to access the area at the top of the mountain. The Incline travels just under 10 mph. Near the top there is a 72.7% grade, making The Incline one of the steepest passenger railways in the world. The Incline has two cars that ride on the same single mile-long track. When the cars come close together, the track splits into two as a “passing loop” for both cars to pass one another. This single track, passing loop system, is used in funicular railways across the world. The railway was sold in the 1940s to Southern Coach Lines and is now operated by Chattanooga Transportation the area’s public transit agency.
At the Top of the incline railway there are houses built from long ago. Only the wealthy lived at the top of the mountain while the workers lived at the bottom. Some of these homes have a history of more than a century. Along the ridge are new modern homes being built. Now vehicles can access the top of the mountain through a series of winding, twisting roads that do not offer much to the slight of heart. As you look down over the edges it is a sheer drop to oblivion.
At the far end of Lookout Point is where the “Battle above the Clouds” happened. Now a “Point Park” you can wander through and read about the battles that took place here and how the Union and Confederate soldiers won and lost their battles. Battle of Lookout Mountain, also called Battle Above The Clouds, in theAmerican Civil War one of the battles that ended the Confederate siege of Union troops at Chattanooga,TN.
It was lunchtime so we had heard that going to Rock City was a must. It was described to us as a hike through the forest but very touristy. Making our way over with an Uber we come to what we would call “overrated” hike. With nowhere to go and the day still young we pay the overpriced ticket and head out on “the Hike”. Paved paths, lights wrapped around trees, painted rocks, sculptures and music blasting through speakers awaits us. There were some beautiful views and photo opportunities that we did partake in. It took us about 1.5 hours slow walking through the paved sidewalks to complete the tour. Was it worth it? Not for us. We like nature having to entertain ourselves. However if you have kids or dogs, or do not like rough terrain on your hike, it would be a good afternoon.
Uber and Lyft was not easy to get up at Rock City. We had to pay a premium fare to order a cab. Just another reason to not go, unless you have a car. We do get back to the incline after an hour plus wait for the cab to catch one of the last trains down. The dusk will be upon us shortly so we grab our bikes and head back to the city again on the Riverfront Trail. The trail does not use roads but you do have to cross some. Mostly it is a 20 mile, wide cemented path that is easily used by walkers, bicycles and runner. Even a skateboard could be used as it is mainly flat.
Again we run back to pickleball for our last day. After a ride back from one of our new friends at pickleball we grab a quick lunch and cross over the river on the old railroad bridge that is now a pedestrian path. This bridge connects both sides of the city that is separated by the Tennessee River. The bridge has great views of the city, the river and the riverfront and worth the walk or bike ride.
