Top 5 Best Hikes Near Atlanta

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The state of Georgia has tons of great hiking spots. I am a bit biased, but I’d say that Georgia is actually a great location for any nature/outdoor lover. It has everything from beaches to mountains, and this means there is also some great hiking. While living in Atlanta, I tried out a different trail almost every weekend, and here are some of the best hikes near Atlanta.

I love hiking because it can be a solo activity and can be as easy or hard as you want. A leisurely stroll on a paved trail? Yep. Rock scrambling? Check. Wading through the Chattahoochee River? A must in the summer. Burning calories while hiking up a mountain? Definitely. Although I could go on and on, I’m going to stick to my top 5 best hikes near Atlanta. This list isn’t a comprehensive step by step of each trail, but a general overview. For more in depth information, stay tuned.

Hiking tips:

1. Make sure to check a trail or park’s website before visiting, as they will have information about closures, events, and other timely information.
2. Choose less popular trails. The popular or well-known ones can be overrun, which may be the opposite of where you want to be.
3. If you really want to hike a popular trail, go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

With these tips in mind, you can still visit any of the best hikes near Atlanta, so enjoy!

1. Sweetwater Creek State Park

~Distance from Atlanta: 15 miles from downtown Atlanta, in Lithia Springs
~Trail Length: varies, 1 – 15 miles, click here for more info on the 3 main trails~Parking: $5, and the lot fills up quickly~Highlights: whitewater rapids, Civil War ruins

I can’t have a list of the best hiking near Atlanta without including Sweetwater Creek State Park, which is one of the most popular hiking spots for many reasons. There are a ton of trail options, named for every color in the rainbow and then some. My favorite trail is the Red Trail, which is 2.3 miles. I’d consider this a moderate trail, mostly for the second half of it. The first part is an easy walk by the water before passing the old ruins of a mill destroyed during the Civil War. The second half has a lot of rock scrambling and some steep sections to get to 2 different overlooks.

This is a great hike in any weather, but especially fun in the summer. Although there are rapids, there are also many calm and shallow spots to wade and cool off a bit.

2. Arabia Mountain

~Distance from Atlanta: 20 miles east of downtown
~Trail Length: 1-3 miles, click here for the trail options
~Parking: Free, but limited
~Highlights: Mountain-top views, Arabia Lake

Once a quarry site, the officially named Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve feels like another planet. With it’s mostly bare rock facade, with splashes of color and craters filled with water after a rain, it is very different from anything else in Georgia. It is also so expansive that you can sometimes feel like the only person on the mountain. This hike is steep while climbing to the summit, but after that it’s relatively flat and easy. Because it’s so large, you can set your own schedule here, either a quick trek or something longer.

3. Sawnee Mountain Preserve

~Distance from Atlanta: 40 miles north of Atlanta, in Cumming
~Trail Length: 0.2 – 4 miles, depending on the trail
~Parking: Free
~Highlights: long-range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains

Named after a local Cherokee Native American, Sawnee Mountain Preserve is a great spot for some killer vistas. My favorite trail is the Indian Seats trail, which leads to a summit with some amazing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia. The trail was aptly named because the summit has many rock outcrops, perfect for sitting and admiring the landscape. One thing to note is that dogs are not allowed on this trail (I know, crazy). This trail is a loop, so you can either decide to do the whole thing, or just go to the overlook and back.

4. Kennesaw Mountain

~Distance from Atlanta: 24 miles northwest of Atlanta
~Trail Length: 0.7 – 16.2 miles, but the mountain top trail is 2 miles round trip
~Parking: Free~Highlights: mountain top views, Civil War relics The site of a vicious battle during the Civil War, the mountain and surrounding battlefield now hold a memorial, park, and extensive trails, offering not only exercise and outdoor fun, but also lessons in Civil War history.  This trail is probably the hardest on my list, since it can be pretty steep at times. I definitely got my heart rate up on this hike. Of course it didn’t help that our family dog, the cutest pup in the world, was dragging us upward in his enthusiasm (Zeus pictured here with my sister and me). But it’s worth the climb to make it to the top for some great views of Atlanta. There are also relics and informational signs about the Civil War, for history buffs.

5. East Palisades Trail

~Distance from Atlanta: 13 miles northeast of Atlanta
~Trail Length: 4 miles, click here for trail info
~Parking: $5
~Highlights: bamboo forest, views of the Chattahoochee River

Yes, there is also a West Palisades Trail, but the East Trail has a bamboo forest, so it automatically wins. It is also less popular than the West Palisades Trail, which means you’re more likely to have the trail all to yourself. This trail is moderate, mostly because of the climb up to 2 overlooks, as well as some rock scrambling. The views are spectacular though and well worth the effort. The bamboo forest is also fun, just because we don’t see much of these in Georgia.

Next time you’re in the mood for some hiking in Georgia, I hope you’ll remember these top 5 best hikes near Atlanta. For hiking and outdoor fun in North Georgia, check out my weekend itinerary. And comment below if you have any other trails you love!

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