Atlanta is about a 1.5-2 hour’s drive to the Appalachian Mountains. While that’s an easy day or weekend trip to get to some of the best hikes in the Southeast, sometimes it’s necessary to stay closer to the city. While there aren’t any super strenuous hikes in the metro, there are plenty of fun ones. These are my favorite seven hikes within an hour’s drive of Atlanta.
Stone Mountain
Location: 18 miles east of Atlanta city center
Hike length: 2.1 miles round trip to top of mountain and back
Entrance fee: $20 parking fee per car or $40 for annual pass. This grants you access to the entire park.
Trail description: This short-but-steep hike climbs up Atlanta’s famous Stone Mountain. If you were in Atlanta for only a short period, I would tell you this is the hike to do. Stone Mountain is a huge monolith that sticks up out of seemingly flat surroundings. Hiking is not all this park is famous for. There is a huge carving on the side of the mountain depicting three Confederate figures. Every evening in the summer (and most weekends the rest of the year), the park projects a free laser show onto the side of the mountain that is worth a watch. If hiking is not your thing, you could take a gondola to the top of the mountain to catch the amazing views. There is also a lake and camping at the base of the mountain for outdoor lovers. To top it all off, they have a theme park that is great for families.
If you’re here for the hike, start at the parking lot near Confederate Hall, cross the train tracks, and begin climbing. The climb is fairly consistent, with only one really steep stretch near the top that has handrails to hang on to (don’t worry, it’s not too scary). The beginning of the hike wanders through the forest, but once you gain elevation, it starts to feel like you’re on another planet or the moon because the trees start to thin out and there are giant craters in the rocks. The good thing about there being no trees at the top is that you can see views of the Atlanta skyline and in every direction for miles!
You’ll notice lots of people sitting on top enjoying lunch or a drink at sunset. This really is one of the best views in Atlanta. Being such a great hike and so close to the city, it will be busy most days of the year.
I currently have an annual parking pass, but when I don’t and want to make the most out of the $20 parking fee, I like to make a day out of my trip to Stone Mountain. I’ll start in the afternoon at the lake and rent paddle boards at the REI Boathouse. Then hike at sunset and finish off the evening with the free laser show (usually starts around 9pm but depends on sunset).
Kennesaw Mountain
Location: 23 miles northwest of Atlanta city center
Hike length: 2.4 miles round trip from Visitors Center, about 3 miles round trip from overflow parking lot
Entrance fee: Free!
Trail description: There are lots of trails in Kennesaw Mountain Park, but I hike for the views, so I always go for the Big Mountain Hike. This hike starts from the Visitors Center, but the parking lot isn’t huge, so I almost always head straight to the overflow lot about a half mile west on Old 41 Highway. The flat walk to the Visitors Center is super easy, and the climb does not start until the official trail.
Similar to Stone Mountain, the climb up Kennesaw Mountain is short but a steady climb. It’s an excellent workout and there is only a short break of flat trail about halfway up. Kennesaw Mountain was the site of a major Civil War battle and they have several cannons throughout the park that remind you of that.
Once you get near the top, there is a parking lot where shuttles can drop people off with the first major view of Atlanta. On a clear day, you can see the Atlanta skyline, and man is it pretty! From the parking lot, it is just another short leg up to the very top where there are lots of big rocks you can stretch out on, catch your breath, and admire the views. Beware this trail is almost always busy and everyone seems to have a dog (which I don’t mind), but it’s probably not the best hike if you’re looking for solitude.
Arabia Mountain
Location: 20 miles east of Atlanta city center
Hike length: 1.3 miles round trip from AWARE Wildlife Center (small lot with limited parking) or about 3.3 miles from official trailhead (1 mile north of Wildlife Center up Klondike Road). There’s a big parking lot and I’ve never had a problem getting a spot.
Entrance fee: Free!
Trail description: Start the hike from the official Arabia Mountain Trailhead. You will have about a mile to walk on a flat boardwalk over marshy land before you reach the start of the mountain at the Wildlife Center. The walk to the top is short and sweet. The terrain of this mountain is very similar to Stone Mountain. However, it is less steep and far less crowded! At times, you may feel like you are walking on the moon with large craters and few trees on the top. These craters fill with water and in early spring, plants called diamorpha smallii grow here and turn bright red. It really is an interesting and beautiful sight!
Pine Mountain
Location: 41 miles northwest of Atlanta city center
Hike length: 4.5 miles round trip, but you could make it to the top and back in about 2 miles by going directly to the top instead of the loop trail
Entrance fee: Free!
Trail description: Start this hike from the Pine Mountain West Trailhead off of Komatsu Drive in Cartersville. After the trailhead, you will reach a loop. Turning right will take you on the quickest path to the top viewpoint. The views at the top are great! You can see the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in the north and Lake Allatoona to the south. Hikers can choose to go back the way they came or continue on the East Loop for a longer hike. The few times I’ve completed this trail, it was not at all busy and we had the top almost to ourselves.
Sweetwater Creek
Location: 19 miles west of Atlanta city center
Hike length: 2.3 miles for Red Trail
Entrance fee: $5 per car to get into state park
Trail description: I’ve done a few of the trails within Sweetwater Creek State Park and the Red Trail is my favorite. This hike is easy, and you can bring your dog along to have some fun in the creek! The trail goes past some ruins of an old mill that was one of the filming locations for the movie The Hunger Games. You will continue along the creek and can go out into the shallow, boulder-filled water to cool off on a warm day.
Iron Hill Loop at Red Top Mountain
Location: 36 miles northwest of Atlanta city center
Hike length: 3.8 mile loop
Entrance fee: $5 per car to get into state park
Trail description: This is an easy hike that meanders along the shores of Lake Allatoona. Starting from the Iron Hill Trail parking lot inside the Red Top Mountain State Park, you will get to explore two different coves on your hike. The trail is fairly flat and is also great for biking or running.
Sawnee Mountain Indian Seats Trail
Location: 42 miles northeast of Atlanta city center
Hike length: 4 mile loop
Entrance fee: Free!
Trail description: Sawnee Mountain is a great hike that you would never guess is so close to Atlanta. There are a number of trails at the mountain preserve, but the Indian Seats Trail has an amazing view at the summit. Start hiking from the Visitors Center and follow the loop counterclockwise. The trail gains elevation steadily, but the view is worth the climb about halfway around the loop. On the boulder at the top are natural “seats” once used by local tribes as lookouts.
