Waterfalls & Trails of Gerogia (2024)

I managed to fill in the gap of Race running life with Trail Hiking.

I joined a lovely hiking group Warrior Hikes. They organized all the events so well and the group made up of amazing ladies. Thanks to this group I got to see diff parts of Georgia. And a lovely pattern, that was we started this year in January with a Sunrise hike to top of Stone Mountain and ended with a Sunset hike at the same place in December.

Then I had individual hikes/walks with girlfriends at many nearby trails and greenways. What a mood-booster, those outings were.

Charleston Park Trail

Nov 23 (Sat) | Charleston Park Trail on AllTrails | 5850 Charleston Park Road Cumming, GA 30041

Hike Highlights: • Moderate hike through the woods by the lake • 5.3 miles

The route has direction arrows. They are in particular direction for walkers and bikers; and again on different days of the week. We were having too much fun and went round & round and did an extra mile unintentionally.

Cauley Creek Park 

Has a wonderful 5k path. Its made from the recycled tire chips. So the entire distance of 5k is soft & spongy. There is a bridge on the way with some lovely riiver view.

Gatlinburg in September

Lot of walking in the city. And went to a few waterfalls. Parking in their trailhead , during peak tourist season weekends, is a challenge and the only thing limiting the trail walks. Klingmans Dome was closed because of rains.

Sweetwater Creek Red and White Trail Loop Trailhead

10th August(Saturday) |  Address: 1750 Mt Vernon Rd, Lithia Springs, GA 30122 | All Trails

Hike Highlights: Moderate hike, 5.1 mile loop around meadows, vistas of rapids and waterfalls. There could be slippery and wet rocks. Need appropriate shoes. 

Parking Fee: $5 T

rail Length: 5.1 miles (Loop) Difficulty: Moderate Hike

Preachers Rock Trail

14 April 2024 | Trailhead Address: Preachers Rock Trailhead, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cleveland, GA 30528 

Trail Length: 2 miles (Out & Back) | Difficulty: Moderate Hike | All Trails 

Hike Highlights: A moderate hike with a steep climb towards the tail end. You will be greeted by stunning views of the appalachian at the top. 

A mile walk takes you to the view of mountains & valleys. Path has lot of roots & rocks and not hard, rewarding with beauty at the top.

 

New Orleans, Louisiana 

Woldenberg Riverfront

Metairie Bucktown

Architecture, canals between houses. Wild Floers in April. Spring gren 

Pink, blubottle brush, white grass

Marshes under long bridges.

Lake Pochatran Bridge 23 miles long

Long Beach in Biloxi.

Mt.Yonah Trail

24 March 2024 | Trailhead Address: Mount Yonah Trailhead, GA-75, Cleveland, GA 30528 

Hike Highlights: A challenging hike but the view on top makes it worth the climb. 

Trail Length: 4.1 miles (Out & Back) | Difficulty: Hard | All Trails

Island Ford Trail

24 Feb 2024 | Trailhead Address: Hewlett Lodge Visitor Center, 1978 Island Ford Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30350 

Trail Length: 5.8 miles loop trail | Difficulty: Moderate | All Trails

Stone Mountain

Sunrise Time: 28-Jan 7:36 AM  & Sunset Time: 7-Dec 5:36 pm

Trailhead Address: Confederate Hall Parking Lot, Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 

All Trails | Trail Length: 2.1 miles (uphill walk) 

Difficult with a steep section towards the mountain top. It was around 50°F in the morning. Previous week it had rained everyday but none this morning. 

Waterfalls & Trails of Gerogia (2023)

I managed to visited numerous Waterfalls & Trails of Georgia in 2023. For comparison, all State Parks have an entrance fee, something that's not up North. But in the South, we can visit all year round without freezing off, atleast when not slippery. Here are my notes on 7 of these places.

(1) Amicalola Falls & Trails

There are 3 major overlook points for Amicalola. If with family, its faster to drive up to each of those points.

Trails between these points are completely uphill with safe steps built in. I am yet to explore the trails. Someday.

Beautiful view from the Lodge, of Fall sunset.

(2) Anna Ruby Falls & Unchoi State Park

Anna Ruby falls is somewhere near Helen. It has ample parking area with all facilities. Then a walk up to the falls. Though they have a closing time of 5pm - something that brings out a shrug & surprise.

Next, drive down to Unchoi State Park beach. Great place on a hot day.

(3) Tallulah Gorge State Park

Now this was a unique experience. Rec center is at the top of the mountain. There are numerous overlooks giving gorgeous views of the Gorge from different angles. 

Then its the thousand steps taking down to the bridge and further down the Gorge. 

We went here during the Thanksgiving week. There are campgrounds here too, I want to explore camping here someday.

(4) Sweet Creek Trails

What a fun day it was ! Went there impromptu with a friend. Turns out a lot of Hunger Games & other  movie shooting happened in this park.

We picked the White Trail 5M loop, as that was the only open one that day. Most beautiful woods.

At exactly the mid-point, there is water; stream with lot of stones. Perfect for pictures.. 

We stopped every few meters for pictures. That's why it took nearly 2 & half hour to complete the 5 miles.

(5) Cauley Creek

Address: 7255 Bell Road

It was a bit hard to find. GPS doesn't take us to the entrance of the park, to its parking lot, let alone to the walking trail. But when I eventually found it, oh what a perfect trail it was.

The route was exactly 5K loop. The trail was made of soft rubber material; extremely gentle on treads & knees. Took through lovely varying views, including a bridge with enchanting river view.

(6) Jones Bridge Trail - part of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Address: Jones Bridge Unit Access Rd, Jones Creek, GA 30022

Went in Nov 2022 and again in February 2023. In the Fall, the drive through the Reserve was gorgeous fall colors. And in Spring, the driving route to the Reserve was lovely, with multiple trees with white Dogwood flowers.

One of the first trails I went to. It has a $5 entrance fee. The very beginning has a lovely step down to the river. It was briming that day, after a week of rain.

The path then takes through heavy overgrowth and almost slippery clay path. Then at a mile point, goes through woods, a sort uphill, to cross-over to the other side of woods. 

Fun path.

(7) Indian Seats, Suwanee Mountain

Address: 2500 Bettis Tribble Gap Rd, Cumming, GA 30040. 

Went in Oct 2022 and then again in February 2023 on a warm afternoon and was greeted with a magnificent view at the top of the mountain.

It has the perfect parking lot.

This trail is marked strongly by incline. The path winds up the mountain, but gradually so. Its completely clay path. This trail is the one that convinced me to buy dedicated hiking shoes - the ones with spikes on sole for grip.

This is the trail that got me into Hiking Georgia; so I love it so.