A new multi-use trail designed to link downtown Chickamauga with one of the nation’s most significant Civil War sites is nearing completion, according to local officials.
The Chickamauga Battlefield Connector Trail will span 2.2 miles and connect the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park with the city’s downtown district. Officials say the project is intended to provide a safe and scenic route for both pedestrians and cyclists.
Construction recently prompted the temporary closure of Osburn Road, but Walker County Government announced Monday, that the road has reopened. With that milestone reached, the trail itself is now almost finished.
Walker County officials noted that while the major construction work has been completed, several safety features must still be installed before the trail can officially open. Those improvements include crosswalks and handrails along a retaining wall.
Walker County partnered with the Trust for Public Land and the City of Chickamauga to break ground on the project in September 2025.
Once complete, county leaders say the trail will strengthen the connection between the community and Chickamauga Battlefield, one of the most visited Civil War sites in the country, while offering new recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
The project is funded through a grant of more than $434,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Officials also highlighted the significance of the investment, noting the connector trail represents Walker County’s first financial commitment to a new public trail in nearly a decade.