Favorite Place to Take a Hike In/Near Atlanta Metro (hiking, local)

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by markjames68

A ways away but Springer Mountain has value as the start of the Appalachian Trail. If you want a short hike park in the lot and then hike up and back (a bit less than a mile each way).

If you're up for a big hike, start at Amicalola State Park and do the approach trail.

https://www.atlantatrails.com/hiking...nger-mountain/

YES.

Springer Mountain is an EXCELLENT suggestion and is a notable landmark as the site of the Southern Terminus/origination point of the Appalachian Trail, which runs about 2,200 miles through densely wooded mountain wilderness along the geographical and topographical backbone of the Eastern Seaboard.

Springer Mountain is also located only about 4 miles or so (by foot and as the crow flies) from Amicalola Falls, the third-highest cascading waterfall in the nation east of the Mississippi River.

Amicalola Falls is a popular and beloved natural attraction which brings to mind the scenic Amicalola Falls Trail, which is linked to on the page in your link...

Amicalola Falls Trail (Atlanta Trails)

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by markjames68

A ways away but Springer Mountain has value as the start of the Appalachian Trail. If you want a short hike park in the lot and then hike up and back (a bit less than a mile each way).

If you're up for a big hike, start at Amicalola State Park and do the approach trail.

https://www.atlantatrails.com/hiking...nger-mountain/

Originally Posted by Born 2 Roll

YES.

Springer Mountain is an EXCELLENT suggestion and is a notable landmark as the site of the Southern Terminus/origination point of the Appalachian Trail, which runs about 2,200 miles through densely wooded mountain wilderness along the geographical and topographical backbone of the Eastern Seaboard.

Springer Mountain is also located only about 4 miles or so (by foot and as the crow flies) from Amicalola Falls, the third-highest cascading waterfall in the nation east of the Mississippi River.

Amicalola Falls is a popular and beloved natural attraction which brings to mind the scenic Amicalola Falls Trail, which is linked to on the page in your link...

Amicalola Falls Trail (Atlanta Trails)

I guess that it should be mentioned that the Springer Mountain/Amicalola Falls State Park area is less than a 70-mile drive each way from Five Points, and is obviously an even shorter distance from major North metro Atlanta suburbs.

(For example, Amicalola Falls State Park is only about a 30-mile drive each way from a major North Atlanta suburb like Cumming, while the Springer Mountain parking lot is only less than 40 miles each way from Cumming.)

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by Born 2 Roll

I guess that it should be mentioned that the Springer Mountain/Amicalola Falls State Park area is less than a 70-mile drive each way from Five Points, and is obviously an even shorter distance from major North metro Atlanta suburbs.

(For example, Amicalola Falls State Park is only about a 30-mile drive each way from a major North Atlanta suburb like Cumming, while the Springer Mountain parking lot is only less than 40 miles each way from Cumming.)

From time driven to the AT parking lot it’s longer though - you drive through Ellijay and eventually to a dirt/gravel fire road. You don’t need 4WD but it’s not something you want to barrel through. There’s a road in from the east as well but apparently it’s steeper and a tougher drive.

Here’s some info on the southern terminus hike.

Southern Terminus Approach Trail - GeorgiaTrails.com

This blog mentions the AT parking lot approach

https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail...nger-mountain/

“Both the eastern and western routes to Springer can be hazardous in winter, and conditions can be poor during the spring freeze/thaw cycle, especially during wet years. Both routes can develop deep ruts that can turn into a quagmire that creates hazards, especially for passenger cars. The more traffic, the deeper the ruts, and the more difficulty the Forest Service has re-grading them.”

Again, this is just the road to the AT parking lot below Springer. Amicalola is a safe and easy drive.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by markjames68

From time driven to the AT parking lot it’s longer though - you drive through Ellijay and eventually to a dirt/gravel fire road. You don’t need 4WD but it’s not something you want to barrel through. There’s a road in from the east as well but apparently it’s steeper and a tougher drive.

Here’s some info on the southern terminus hike.

Southern Terminus Approach Trail - GeorgiaTrails.com

This blog mentions the AT parking lot approach

https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail...nger-mountain/

“Both the eastern and western routes to Springer can be hazardous in winter, and conditions can be poor during the spring freeze/thaw cycle, especially during wet years. Both routes can develop deep ruts that can turn into a quagmire that creates hazards, especially for passenger cars. The more traffic, the deeper the ruts, and the more difficulty the Forest Service has re-grading them.”

Again, this is just the road to the AT parking lot below Springer. Amicalola is a safe and easy drive.

Yes. Those are excellent points.

In the article in the second link you posted, it is written that the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy) wants northbound hikers (particularly northbound thru-hikers, but also those only hiking the shorter-distance to the summit of Springer Mountain and back) to start their journey at Amicalola Falls State Park instead of at the Springer Mountain parking lot because of the challenging conditions that you mention along the dirt road routes to the Springer Mountain parking lot.

But even with those challenging conditions that add time to the trip to Springer Mountain, it is still remarkable to have such scenic natural landmarks (such as the Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain, Amicalola Falls, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Chattahoochee National Forest, the greater Southern Appalachian Mountains wilderness, etc.) be located so relatively close to a landlocked and otherwise largely relatively somewhat flat large major metropolitan area (Atlanta).

Having that type of spectacular scenic forested mountain wilderness be located basically just a few minutes north/outside of the metropolitan area is a real asset that many other landlocked large major metro areas may not have to the same extent as Atlanta.

[hilltop180]

Couple of my favorites: Cochran Mill in Chattahoochee Hills and Sweetwater Creek state park. They filmed oneof the Walking Dead episodes at Cochran mill. It's a nice wooded area with a few small waterfalls. Sweetwater creek SP has some nice scenery and river shoals. They filmed one scene from Hunger Games/Mockingjay there.

[Indy2Mia2Atl]

Kennesaw Mountain, Sope Creek, any of the Chattahoochee trails. Also, Silver Comet is a paved path used mostly for cycling and walking/running. I wouldn’t group that in as a “hike”.

[Born 2 Roll]

ATLANTA — If you want a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the work week or just want a peaceful place to get out of the house, there are several places throughout the Atlanta metro area where you can go to help you relax.

5 quick escapes right in the Atlanta metro area that take you to beautiful places (WSB-TV Atlanta)

[Born 2 Roll]

A somewhat extensive guide to nature hikes, both inside and outside of the I-285 Perimeter, as well as throughout North Georgia...

The city still regularly reveals new places for nature excursions at nearly every turn. Not just city parks with manicured lawns, but unadulterated natural habitats where deer, snakes, muskrats, and the occasional red fox or box turtle are perfectly at home. That’s practically unheard of for a metropolitan area that’s home to more than six million people. Of course, the forces of development and gentrification are always closing in, but these pockets of natural wonder are an endlessly fascinating feature of the city, and worth getting to know. The following is a list of hiking spots and outdoor areas broken up by neighborhood. Personal picks are followed by other destinations in each area that are an easy day trip for anyone in the city to visit for a quick jog, or to pack a picnic and get away from the maddening crowd, if only for an afternoon. This is just a small portion of what the city has to offer.

Atlanta: The city in the forest - A guide to outdoors in Atlanta (Creative Loafing Atlanta)

[Born 2 Roll]

For those who relish a challenge – or simply want to explore all of the trails in the fifteen park units – CNPC has developed HikeCRNRA, modeled after a similar program in other national parks. Everyone who hikes all sixty-six miles of official trails within the CRNRA (completed after Dec. 1, 2020) will be recognized and receive a free CNPC membership. There is no deadline – you have a lifetime to finish! Trail maps and forms are available at the link provided below.

Above the Waterline: Take the Trail Challenge in Our National River Park (Atlanta Intown Paper)

[jazzcat22]

I love the Suwannee greenway. McDaniel farm. Island Ford and Jones Bridge of the Chattahoochee National Rec area.