Incline Railway

One of the Steepest Passenger Railways in the World

The Incline Railway has been carrying passengers up the side of Lookout Mountain since 1895. Think about that - over 130 years of daily operation on a 72.7% grade. That's nearly vertical. The railway is about a mile long, climbing from the St. Elmo neighborhood to the top of Lookout Mountain. Your body physically tilts backward in the trolley car as you ascend, and the view through the glass front gets more ridiculous with every foot of elevation.

The Ride

It takes about 10 minutes each way, and trains leave each station every 20 minutes. Two counterbalanced cars share a single track with a passing loop in the middle, so one goes up while the other comes down. The cars are equipped to carry 42 people comfortably. Grab a seat near the front for the best view on the way up, and near the back for the descent. Some people stand the whole ride, gripping the rails and watching through the glass.

The grade starts gradual near the St. Elmo station and steepens dramatically about halfway up. There's a moment where you can feel the incline shift, and the valley starts opening up below you. By the top, you're looking straight down at the rooftops of St. Elmo with the Tennessee River and Moccasin Bend in the distance. On clear days, you can see the Smokies on the horizon.

At the Top

The upper station has an observation deck, a snack bar, a gift shop, and a Centennial Photo Exhibit and engine room you can visit. The ride is the whole point. From the upper station, you're within walking distance of Point Park (a Civil War battlefield with its own impressive views) and a short drive from Rock City and Ruby Falls.

If you're a hiker, Point Park is also where the Bluff Trail heads toward Sunset Rock. That makes a good combo: ride the Incline up, hike to Sunset Rock, and watch the sun go down. Just check the closing time first, since the last car leaves 40 minutes before close.

The St. Elmo Neighborhood

Don't skip the lower station's neighborhood. St. Elmo is one of Chattanooga's oldest and most charming areas, tucked at the base of Lookout Mountain. Niedlov's Cafe & Bakery is a two-minute walk from the Incline station and bakes some of the best sourdough in the state. Bluegrass Grill is the neighborhood breakfast institution - the kind of place where you put your name on the list, grab a coffee, and wait on the porch because it's always worth it.

The St. Elmo area also has small galleries, antique shops, and a general vibe that's more residential-neighborhood-charm than tourist-district-bustle. Walk around a bit before or after your ride.

Practical Tips

Tickets can be bought at either station or online, and children 2 and under ride free with a paying passenger. The Incline is a separate ticket from Rock City and Ruby Falls, which are a few short miles away by car. The railway runs daily except Mondays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and the cars are enclosed. Check the website for current hours.

There's a parking lot at the lower station ($3 for 3 hours or $5 for over 3 hours, per the official site), and the upper station has metered street parking if you want to ride down and back up instead. Check out the full list of family activities in Chattanooga for more ideas.