Wednesday Walking - Walnut Street Bridge Chattanooga, Tennessee

This is where I share my favorite place I walked this week.

Even though I have an unreasonable fear of heights I love to walk over bridges. I prefer the bridge to have a solid floor. Not those iron grates that allow you to see down to the dark water but solid cement, asphalt or wood. Solid seems so much more secure. Or so I tell myself.

On a visit to Chattanooga we found just such a bridge with a lovely walkway made of wood.

Walnut Street Bridge

If you're ever in Chattanooga do like we did and take a walk over the pedestrian only Walnut Street Bridge. The bridge connects the lively downtown area with the artsy North Shore. At 2376 feet it is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world. It's also an easy walk with very little rise in grade. In other words you don't have to go too far UP to cross this bridge.

This was taken from the river walk underneath the bridge on the downtown side.

Construction on this wrought-iron and steel truss bridge began in 1889 and was completed 2 years later. The Walnut Street bridge was the first to connect downtown with the North Shore. The bridge served vehicles and foot traffic until 1978 when repair costs forced the city to close it. At one time the bridge was scheduled for demolition but a group with a vision for the city pulled together to save the old bridge. Today it is an important historic component in this lively city. 

The bridge is almost like a park. There are benches lining the raised walkway and large planters of colorful flowers. And people and dogs everywhere. 

This view was taken from Coolidge Park on the North Shore

Chattanooga is a beautiful city with many historical buildings, parks, the Tennessee River and of course a few bridges. The Walnut Street bridge was one of the favorite sites of the weekend.



Lace up and see where your feet take you today!