West Rim Loop Trail: Cloudland Canyon State Park
Cloudland Canyon State Park’s West Rim Loop Trail is a moderate hike near Chattanooga, Tennessee. This trail is kid-friendly and dog-friendly, but your furry kids must be on a leash. The park says, “The West Rim Loop Trail is one of the most scenic hiking trails in the nation.” I completely agree!
My wife and I hiked this trail in late October, right when the fall foliage was just beginning to peak. The trail passes many of the park’s scenic views. Expect some steep parts and some areas close to the edge of the canyon rim. The payoffs are huge, though. The views of Cloudland Canyon from the West Rim Loop are nothing short of spectacular. We started the hike just after dawn on a mid-week day.
- Trail Name: West Rim Loop Trail
- Trailhead Location: East RimTrailhead
- Distance: 4.9 Miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: ~ 750 Feet
- Type: Loop
- Features: West Rim Loop Trail
- Dogs: Yes – On Leash
For most of the hike, it felt like we had the entire trail to ourselves. Towards the end, we started bumping into a few other hikers. I definitely recommend starting early if you are looking for solitude. We saw a few turkeys and white-tailed deer along the way! It took us about two and a half hours to hike this trail, but we stopped for pictures and to enjoy the views often.
Camping is available in the park if you want to make a weekend of it. There are also other great trails. The Waterfalls Trail takes you down the canyon to Cherokee and Hemlock Falls.
Cloudland Canyon State Park is located in rural, far northwestern Georgia. The nearest city is Chattanooga, Tennessee, about a half-hour drive away.
