Lookout Mountain Incline Railway in Chattanooga, TN to go up and/or down the mountain to Lookout Mountain. Enjoy a ride on an angled rail car that will take you up or down Lookout Mountain. #InclineRailway #LookoutMountain
The Rail car is made at an angle, to go up the angled mountain. It feels weird going up the mountain backwards. I know at times, I almost felt like I was waiting on a roller coaster to go down very fast. But, it was in fact slow! Check out my video below!
They say on the announcements, there are safety devices to prevent that.
Last section is the steepest, near the top of Lookout Mountain. Once you arrive at the top, there is a gift shop and chances to look around and see the scenery. For example, you can see up to seven states on a clear day. See my panoramic view of an example of a view from the observation deck.
It was cloudy and looked like rain when we were first going to go up, but it cleared up for us to have a great view that day. Weather can change the visibility.
- Tennessee (state you are in)
- Kentucky (to the North)
- Virginia (to the North East)
- South Carolina (to the South East)
- North Carolina (to the East)
- Georgia (to the South)
- Alabama (to the South West)
Did you know that Lookout Mountain was the scene of the “Last Battle of the Cherokees” during the Nickajack Expedition.
It was very different riding up and even down the mountain on this rail car. I did enjoy the views from top the observation areas. The view is breathtaking from atop. You can really see God’s Creation in our own area here in the Eastern United States.
My wife and I atop of Lookout Mountain with the beautiful view behind us. 
Looking up in the Incline Railway Car 
Looking down the railway. 
The Cable that brings the railway cars up and down Lookout Mountain. 
Railway track at the bottom. 
A look as we head up the mountain, looking back at the bottom. 
A look as we head up the mountain, looking back at the bottom. 
Passing the Other Incline Railway Car at the passing junction. 
From the Bottom looking up to the top of Lookout Mountain. 
From the Top looking down to the bottom of Lookout Mountain. 
The binoculars and the sites you can see.
Some Photos were taken by myself, others were taken by my wife Heather Patterson.
Also note, if you go toward closing time, you won’t have time to look around. You will head up to the top, then you have to right back in line to head back down. So it is best to go earlier in the day! Just giving you all that heads up.
I actually enjoyed going up and back down. It takes around 15 minutes one way. But sometimes, you may wait awhile in the line to either go up or down. When we visited, we waited just over an hour to go up.
Here is the Press Info about the Incline Railway ….
“America’s Most Amazing Mile”
The Incline Railway, located on Lookout Mountain, has delighted guests for more than a century as “America’s Most Amazing Mile.”
As trolley-style railcars slowly carry you up historic Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga’s surrounding peaks and valleys come alive through the clouds. At one point along the way, the railway achieves an incline 72.7%, making The Incline Railway one of the steepest railways in the world.
Breathtaking views of the Chattanooga Valley can be seen from the observation deck of the Lookout Mountain Station, the highest overlook on the mountain. Then after you’ve had an opportunity to visit Civil War sites within walking distance of the station, Rock City or Ruby Falls, The Incline’s railcar slowly creeps back down the mountain, offering a unique perspective of the Tennessee Valley below as it delivers you safely back to the St Elmo station at the bottom.
My wife and I didn’t get to visit the Civil War sites, Rock City or Ruby Falls on this visit.
Designated as both a National Historic Site and National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, The Incline Railway has been one of Chattanooga’s most unique attractions since 1895.
“As demand to ride The Incline grows, we are constantly striving to provide the safest, most enjoyable view Chattanooga has to offer.”
Lisa Maragnano, Executive Director of CARTA
In addition to recent track upgrades, a the Lookout Mountain Station is reminiscent of an original train depot, complete with evocative historical wall graphics, an expanded gift shop and a must see underneath, the machine room!
The Incline Railway is operated by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transit Authority (CARTA) and is a part of Lookout Mountain Attractions, along with Rock City and Ruby Falls. A combo ticket can be purchased at any of these attractions to visit all three – the Incline, Rock City and Ruby Falls. Each attraction has its own unique features, and combined they offer a half-day’s adventure on historic Lookout Mountain.
Learn More at: ridetheincline.com
I didn’t get anything for this review. I did it on my own. My wife and I paid for our round trip fares.
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