Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
A mountain incline railway that opened in 1895, with a maximum gradient of about 72%. It is said to be one of the steepest passenger cable railways in the world.
The railway runs from the St. Elmo station at the foot of the mountain to the top of Lookout Mountain. The line is about 1.6 km long and the ride takes about 15 minutes. The cars climb almost alongside the mountain wall, with views over the city and the Tennessee River. At the top station, an observation deck is a few minutes’ walk from the Point Park battlefield site. Round-trip tickets cost about USD 20–25. Service was suspended in December 2024 after wildfire damage and reopened in July 2025, so check the official website before your trip. The lower station is about 10 minutes’ drive south of downtown.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:00–18:00 (seasonally adjusted)
Nearby sights
- Point Park (Lookout Mountain Battlefield)
- Ruby Falls
- Sunset Rock
- Rock City Gardens
- Chattanooga Choo Choo
- Creative Discovery Museum
- Southern Belle Riverboat
- Tennessee Aquarium