Best Atlanta Hiking Trails: Where to Hit the Dirt Near the City

Atlanta might be known for traffic and skyscrapers, but it’s also surrounded by surprisingly good hiking. Whether you live in-town and want a quick after-work loop or you’re visiting and looking for a day in the woods, there are trails around Atlanta for nearly every skill level.

Below are the best hiking trails in and near Atlanta, what to expect at each, and practical tips for planning your time outside.

Quick Overview: Top Atlanta Hiking Spots at a Glance

Drive times assume light to moderate traffic from downtown Atlanta.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Best Close-to-City Hiking

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) is one of the best places to hike close to Atlanta. It’s not one single park but a series of units along the river, each with its own trail network.

General info (for most units):

• Managed by: National Park Service
• Basic phone: 404-730-7700
• Typical hours: Day-use, sunrise to sunset
• Parking: Paid parking at most trailheads (card or app at many lots)

East Palisades: River Bluffs and Bamboo Forest

Why go: For many locals, East Palisades is the single best “real hike” inside the Perimeter. It feels wild, with elevation changes, rocky sections, and some of the best views of the Chattahoochee in the city.

• Location: Off Northside Dr. NW and Whitewater Creek Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30327
• Difficulty: Moderate (some steep and rooty sections)
• Highlights:
  • Overlooks from high above the river
  • A bamboo forest along the water
  • Narrow, winding trails that feel remote for how close you are to Buckhead

Tips:

• Trails are a bit of a maze; downloading or snapping a photo of the trail map at the kiosk can help.
• Parking lots (especially at Whitewater Creek) fill up on mild weekends. Early morning is best.
• Trails can get muddy after heavy rain.

West Palisades (Paces Mill & Akers Mill): Scenic River Loops

Why go: If you want something scenic but not too technical, West Palisades offers rolling trails, river views, and a nice mix of forest and open areas.

• Common access points:
  • Paces Mill Unit: 3444 Cobb Pkwy SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
  • Akers Mill / Interstate North area: Near 1956 Parkwood Cir SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on route
• Highlights:
  • Boardwalks and paths right along the Chattahoochee
  • Longer loops that link to the Bob Callan Trail and other greenways
  • Good for sunrise and sunset walks along the river

Tips:

• Paces Mill is flatter and more beginner-friendly.
• Consider this area if East Palisades parking is full; they’re a short drive apart.

Cochran Shoals – Columns Drive: Flat, Popular, and Accessible

Why go: This is one of the busiest river sections for a reason—flat, wide paths that are ideal for walking, running, or a relaxed hike.

• Main lot: Columns Dr. trailhead, near 152 Columns Dr. SE, Marietta, GA 30067
• Difficulty: Easy (mostly flat, packed gravel)
• Highlights:
  • Gentle river views
  • A clearly marked fitness loop with distance markers
  • Dog- and stroller-friendly (though it can be crowded)

Tips:

• Expect crowds on nice weekends; weekdays or early mornings are quieter.
• Good option if you’re easing into hiking or just want time along the water.

Stone Mountain Park: Iconic Summit Hike East of Atlanta

Stone Mountain Park is one of the most recognizable outdoor spots near Atlanta. Beyond the well-known tourist attractions, it offers a short but steep hike to a granite summit with broad views.

• Park main address: 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
• Drive time: ~25–30 minutes east of downtown
• Note: Vehicle entry fee; check current rates before you go.

Walk-Up Trail to the Summit

Why go: A classic Atlanta-area hike—locals take out-of-town guests here for sweeping views of the skyline, especially at sunrise or sunset.

• Distance: About 1–1.5 miles one way (roughly 2–3 miles round-trip)
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous, depending on fitness level; steep in sections
• Highlights:
  • Wide, open expanse of granite
  • 360-degree views from the top on clear days, including downtown Atlanta
  • Unique “island in the sky” feel at the summit

Tips:

• There’s very little shade; it gets hot and bright, especially midday in summer.
• The rock can be slick in rain—many people postpone summit hikes if thunderstorms are in the area.
• Go early for cooler temps and lighter crowds.

Other Trails Inside Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain also has wooded loop trails around the base and along the lake. These are gentler, shadier, and less crowded than the summit trail and good for families or longer but easier walks.

Sweetwater Creek State Park: Ruins, Rapids, and Forest Trails

Sweetwater Creek State Park is one of the best half-day hiking destinations close to Atlanta.

• Address: 1750 Mount Vernon Rd, Lithia Springs, GA 30122
• Drive time: ~25–30 minutes west of downtown
• Managed by: Georgia Department of Natural Resources (State Parks & Historic Sites)
• Park office phone: 770-732-5871

Why go: You get a mix of rushing water, historic mill ruins, and wooded trails. It feels like a real escape from the city without a long drive.

Main Highlights

• Red Trail (Historic Trail):

  • Follows Sweetwater Creek past mill ruins
  • Sections of rocky, uneven terrain near the rapids
  • Great for photos and for people who want a short but interesting hike

• White & Yellow Trails:

  • Longer loops that head deeper into the forest and hills
  • Less crowded once you get away from the main mill area

Tips:

• State parks typically have a modest parking fee or honor annual passes.
• Water levels and currents can be strong; many visitors choose to stay on the bank rather than getting in the water.
• Trails close at sunset; plan your timing so you’re off the trail before dark.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park: History Meets Fitness Hikes

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park combines Civil War history with some of the most challenging trails close to Atlanta.

• Visitor Center address: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr, Kennesaw, GA 30152
• Phone (Visitor Center): 770-427-4686
• Drive time: ~30–35 minutes northwest of downtown
• Managed by: National Park Service

Why go: This is where a lot of locals go for serious hill training. The main climb from the visitor center to the summit is a real workout, and there are multiple ridge and loop trails you can link together.

Popular Trails

• Kennesaw Mountain Summit Trail:

  • Steep climb from the Visitor Center to the top
  • Dirt trail with rocks and roots; some sections are steep but manageable for most hikers with breaks
  • Great views over Cobb County; on clear days you can see the Atlanta skyline in the distance

• Pigeon Hill and Little Kennesaw:

  • Rolling ridge hikes with ups and downs
  • Trailside historical markers and earthworks
  • Good for longer moderate to strenuous hikes

Tips:

• Weekend mornings can be very busy; parking may spill over to satellite areas.
• Bring water—there’s a climb no matter which route you pick up front.
• Stay on marked trails; this is a protected historic site as well as a recreation area.

Arabia Mountain & the Monadnock Cluster: Otherworldly Rock Landscapes

East of Atlanta, a group of granite outcrops—Arabia Mountain, Panola Mountain, and nearby preserves—offer a very different style of hiking: open rock, fragile plant communities, and surprisingly quiet trails.

The broader area is part of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area (NHA).

Arabia Mountain

• Common trailhead: Arabia Mountain Trailhead, 4158 Klondike Rd, Stonecrest, GA 30038
• Drive time: ~25–35 minutes east of downtown

Why go: The exposed granite and seasonal pools create a landscape that feels almost lunar in places. In spring, rare wildflowers and bright red diamorpha bloom in shallow depressions.

• Difficulty: Easy to moderate; some short steep sections on rock
• Highlights:
  • Open views from the top of the rock
  • Boardwalks and designated routes to protect sensitive plants
  • Quieter than Stone Mountain, with a more natural, less developed feel

Tips:

• Stay on the rock cairns and marked paths; stepping on fragile plant areas can damage them.
• Many hikers go around sunrise or sunset for cooler temps and better light.

Panola Mountain State Park (Nearby)

• Address: 2620 GA-155 SW, Stockbridge, GA 30281
• Note: Portions of the mountain are guided-access only to protect the environment.

Panola has easy family-friendly loop trails below the mountain and guided hikes up on the granite dome. It’s a good option if you prefer clearly marked, less crowded paths with ranger presence.

In-Town Atlanta Hikes: Forest Pockets Without Leaving the City

You don’t always have to drive far for nature. Several spots inside the Perimeter offer genuine wooded hikes without leaving the city limits.

Morningside Nature Preserve

• Address: 1941 Wellbourne Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
• Drive time: ~10–15 minutes from Midtown

Why go: This is a favorite intown forest hike, with a suspension bridge and a sandy area along South Fork Peachtree Creek often called “the dog beach.”

• Difficulty: Easy to moderate (some hills and roots)
• Highlights:
  • Shady wooded trails
  • Access to the creek
  • Popular with dog owners

Tips:

• Trails are fairly short but can be combined for loops.
• Creeks can rise after heavy rain; check conditions if storms have been through.

Lullwater Preserve (Emory Area)

• Approx. access: Near 1463 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322 (Emory University area)
• Drive time: ~15–20 minutes from downtown

Why go:Lullwater Preserve is a quiet, wooded area with a lake, suspension bridge, and the ruins of a historic mill building.

• Difficulty: Easy; mostly gentle, packed paths
• Highlights:
  • Relaxed loops suitable for casual walkers
  • Scenic bridge and water views
  • Convenient to Emory, Druid Hills, and Decatur residents

Tips:

• Parking is limited and often associated with Emory; check signage carefully.
• This is more of a peaceful walk in the woods than a strenuous hike.

Family-Friendly & Beginner Hikes Around Atlanta

If you’re easing into hiking or have kids in tow, these areas generally offer gentler terrain, shorter loops, and amenities:

• Cochran Shoals (Columns Dr.)

  • Flat, wide paths along the river
  • Easy to turn around anytime

• Lullwater Preserve

  • Short, relatively flat loops
  • Interesting features (bridge, mill ruins) to keep kids engaged

• Stone Mountain base trails

  • Some shaded options away from the steep summit climb

• Local city and county parks

  • Places like Chastain Park, Mason Mill Park, or the South Peachtree Creek Trail offer paved and natural-surface connectors that can function as “starter hikes” or long walks.

Planning Your Atlanta Hike: Practical Tips

When to Go

• Spring and fall are often the most comfortable seasons—milder temperatures and colorful foliage.
• Summer can be hot and humid; early morning or evening hikes are typically more pleasant.
• Winter can be great for views; with leaves off the trees, you often see farther, especially along ridges and bluffs.

What to Bring

Atlanta-area hikes are generally not remote, but it’s still wise to bring:

• Water (even for shorter hikes, especially in warm weather)
• Comfortable closed-toe shoes with some grip
• Light layers depending on season
• Bug protection in warmer months
• A map or saved offline directions for more complex trail systems

Parking & Fees

• Chattahoochee River NRA units usually have paid parking via kiosks or apps.
• Georgia State Parks (like Sweetwater and Panola) charge a modest daily parking fee or honor a state park pass.
• Stone Mountain Park charges a vehicle entry fee at the main gate.
• Some in-town parks and preserves have limited free parking—arrive early on weekends.

Safety & Etiquette

• Stay on marked trails to protect both yourself and the environment.
• Let someone know where you’re going if you’re hiking alone.
• Keep dogs on leash where required and pack out waste.
• Be weather-aware; summer thunderstorms can develop quickly, especially on exposed high points like Stone Mountain.

How to Choose the Best Atlanta Hiking Trail for You

If you:

• Want the best “wow” view close to town: Try Stone Mountain’s Walk-Up Trail, Kennesaw Mountain, or East Palisades bluffs.
• Prefer flat, easy walking by water: Head to Cochran Shoals (Columns Drive) or the river sections of West Palisades.
• Like history with your hike: Visit Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park or Sweetwater Creek for mill ruins and historic markers.
• Want a unique landscape: Explore Arabia Mountain or Panola Mountain State Park.
• Need an intown nature fix without a long drive: Check out Morningside Nature Preserve or Lullwater Preserve.

Using these options, you can match your fitness level, interest, and available time to some of the best hiking trails in and around Atlanta, whether you’re a local exploring new corners of the city or a visitor wanting a break from the urban pace.