This stretch of temperate fall weather in the dead of the Georgia summer stirs up thoughts of a long hike outside the city. But where to go?
What are your favorite hikes within a few hours car ride of Atlanta?
Photo of Cloudland Canyon courtesy of srahn via Flickr
Sweetwater Creek. It looks like your in the Pacific Northwest in some spots.
I mean “you’re” of course.
Panther Creek. It’s a good, long hike, but the payoff is awesome.
I’ve been itching to check that one out, but haven’t it. Thanks for the recommendation!
Agreed. That’s what I thought of as soon as I saw the title.
It’s been a while for us, so might have to go this weekend.
Also, amicalola falls is pretty and a nice easy hike for younger ones.
I’ve found this to be a great resource for Atlanta-area hikes… http://www.atlantatrails.com/
The Providence Canyon hikes are awesome (in southwest Georgia), and the terrain unlike anything else you’ll see in Georgia. The nickname “The Grand Canyon of the South” is a bit of an exaggeration, though.
The terrain is challenging and the trails are Cherokee-style (who needs switchbacks?), but there’s nothing else in Georgia to compare to the Conasauga Wilderness.
I think you mean the Cohutta Wilderness.
We did the Tearbritches trail to the Conasuaga River last weekend. Very nice.
I need to recommend the AT and Benton MacKaye Trail around the Springer Mountain area. These 2 trails intersect with one another a few times beginning atop of Springer, making a number of loop possibilities for day hikes. Take Forest Service Rd 42 to the parking lot at the intersection with the AT. this is a 1 mile hike from the Springer Summit. A few loops to the north and south of this parking lot. The trails are in perfect shape and not very steep.
You are correct — Cohutta. I love the upper half of the Jacks River Trail. 13 or 14 wet-foot stream crossings, but what a gorgeous river. The Cohutta joins the Big Frog Wilderness on the Tennessee side to form the largest wilderness area in the Southeast.
I almost posted Benton MacKaye but I like the fact that no one really knows much about it. 🙂 The AT at Springer looks like a highway compared to Benton MacKaye. Last time we hiked Benton MacKaye from Springer to Three Forks (which is a GREAT hike) we saw a bear eating blackberries not too far off the path. That was exciting!
Well there’s always Raven Cliffs, which works out to about 5 miles RT I think.
If you’re up for a longer day, Whitewater Falls south of Cashiers is a good choice.
How about the trails around the Tallulah Gorge? Beautiful, but one big downside– no dogs allowed.
In AL there’s Little River Canyon. The official trails are short but it’s fun to wander around the canyon. Mountain bikes are allowed too!!
Well there’s always Raven Cliffs, which works out to about 5 miles RT I think.
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That’s a good one. Duke’s Creek Falls is right near there, too. Best waterfall in the area.
Any hikes without mosquitoes or yellow jackets? I hiked a lot more Out West. Rattlesnakes are easier to avoid than flying insects.
I have not had mosquito issues hiking in the Georgia mountains and only once or twice has a member of my hiking party been stung by a wasp….luckily in GA hiking is a year round activity so if you hike in the cooler part of the year you can avoid all insects. I have seen venomous snakes on hikes, generally sunning themselves on rocks by creek banks.
We recently hiked Unicoi Gap to Tray Mountain on the Appalachian Trail. Gorgeous views and no crowds. About 10 miles roundtrip. Perfect for a day hike.
nice try DM, but i like my hiking spots to stay as free of people as possible. i’ll keep the beautiful views, waterfalls, swimming spots, miles of trails, and idyllic camping spots to myself.
I like the hike from my house to the Brick Store Pub. 🙂 (However, like Woody Allen, I am two with nature…)
Sign up for the Canyon Climbers club through the Georgia State Parks website. It’s lots of fun. Includes Amicalola, Tallulah, Providence and Cloudland. Cost is $10 and you get the t-shirt when you’re done.
Phipps Plaza.
Tallulah Gorge in the fall! Incredible. Can’t wait to do it again this year.
Pine Mountain Trail at FDR State Park near Warm Springs. Feels like North Carolina, but closer, lower elevation and more temperate in winter.
Tennessee Rock Trail at Black Rock Mnt has lovely wildflowers. Also like Cloudland Canyon, Tallulah Gorge, Anna Ruby Falls: really I have been happy with every trail I have hiked in the N.GA mountains.
Really close to home is Arabia Mountain: such a different ecosystem there I feel I am in a faraway land, not Dekalb County
The Burnt Hickory Loop at Kennesaw mountain is their most difficult trail (a 5 mile loop) but you get some great views and if you listen closely you may hear the whispers of civil war ghosts.
Blood Mountain. Highest elevation along the Appalachian trail in Ga. Views are unbeatable.
Hiking up to Blood Mountain from Neels Gap is a good one, especially for the kids when they are learning about the Creek and Cherokee in school.