Leaves are changing, Georgians! Which means now is the time to check out some truly spectacular hiking trails in our great state. Between the cool, crisp air, and some wonderful scenic vistas, these hikes will never disappoint. Georgia is filled with so many different hiking opportunities, we’ve pulled out some of the most magnificent trails that you need to hike. October is the type of month that brings the hikers out in us all, and after checking out these trails in Georgia, you may just join the club if you haven’t already.
- Sweetwater Creek State Park—1750 Mt Vernon Rd, Lithia Springs, GA 30122
Flickr J. Maughn There are over 12 miles of trails in Sweetwater Creek State Park, but our favorite would have to be the Red Trail, also known as the History Trail. You’ll come across the ever-impressive New Manchester mill ruins, not to mention listen to the hum of the water from the creek as you hike. It makes for an incredible hike through nature, with a little bit of learning and history thrown in.
- Fort Mountain State Park—181 Fort Mountain State Park Rd, Chatsworth, GA 30705
Flickr Mike Fort Mountain State Park has a TON of hiking opportunities. But if there is one we truly have to recommend, it would be the Gahuti Trail. You’ll be able to check out the beautiful views from the Cool Springs Overlook, before you even begin.
- Amicalola Falls State Park—418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534
Flickr Xavier Lambrecht With over 12 miles of trails and a beautiful waterfall to boot, there is a reason why Amicalola Falls is such a beautiful state park in Georgia. We recommend the Amicalola Falls Loop Trail, which is over two miles of pure beauty, and a great opportunity to glimpse the tallest waterfall in the state of Georgia.
- Cloudland Canyon State Park—122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd, Rising Fawn, GA 30738
Flickr Alexander Lerch Views, views, and more views. Cloudland Canyon is a leaf-peepers paradise. Not to mention, a spot for some surreal hiking trails. We highly recommend the Waterfalls Trail, which will give you access to two beautiful waterfalls, Hemlock Falls and Cherokee Falls.
- Providence Canyon State Park—Canyon Rd, Lumpkin, GA 31815
Flickr Soil Science The Canyon Loop Trail at Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon is one of the best hikes in the state. The trail is just under five miles, and allows for both stream bed access and magnificent canyon views. Make sure you hike this trail in order to truly experience one of the natural wonders of Georgia.
- Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve—3787 Klondike Rd, Lithonia, GA 30038
Flickr G. DAWSON The Arabia Mountain Top Trail is one of the greatest ways to either welcome a sunrise, or catch a sunset. The trail itself is not even 1.5 miles, but allows for a climb up the mountaintop to experience the sweeping scenic views.
- Black Rock Mountain State Park—3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy, Mountain City, GA 30562
Flickr Carl Black There are over 10 miles of trails in Black Rock Mountain State Park, but our favorite would have to be the James E. Edmond Trail. It’s not an easy one, and clocks in at around seven miles in total. But once you check out the vistas, the laurel-filled coves, and the small waterfalls throughout, you’ll realize just how fantastic this hiking trail is.
- Tallulah Gorge State Park—338 Jane Hurt Yarn Rd, Tallulah Falls, GA 30573
Flickr Jeff Gunn If you’re going to hike one trail at Tallulah Gorge State Park, then you probably should make it the Hurricane Falls Trail. It’s around two miles round trip, and contains a total of 1,099 stairs to climb from the gorge floor to the best views in the park.
- Vogel State Park—405 Vogel State Park Rd, Blairsville, GA 30512
Flickr Sammy Hancock The Blood Mountain Trail in Vogel State Park may just be the best of the best in terms of Georgia hiking. The trail itself boasts a 1,525-foot ascent, and stunning, sweeping views of everything autumn has to offer in Georgia. Blood Mountain Trail is the most popular in the park, and will leave you feeling accomplished once you reach the top.
- Sawnee Mountain Preserve—4075 Spot Rd, Cumming, GA 30040
Flickr Dave Lawrence If you’re looking to hike for the sake of reaching an incredible overlook, then you’ll be satisfied with the Indian Seats Trail in the Sawnee Mountain Preserve. You’ll reach the summit around a few miles, and be able to catch the majestic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Prepare to be amazed.
How many of these have you tackled?! Share with us your experience. Otherwise, if Georgia hiking is what you’re into, then you’ll love Take This Sunrise Hike To One Of The Most Beautiful Points In Georgia.
Flickr J. Maughn
There are over 12 miles of trails in Sweetwater Creek State Park, but our favorite would have to be the Red Trail, also known as the History Trail. You’ll come across the ever-impressive New Manchester mill ruins, not to mention listen to the hum of the water from the creek as you hike. It makes for an incredible hike through nature, with a little bit of learning and history thrown in.
Flickr Mike
Fort Mountain State Park has a TON of hiking opportunities. But if there is one we truly have to recommend, it would be the Gahuti Trail. You’ll be able to check out the beautiful views from the Cool Springs Overlook, before you even begin.
Flickr Xavier Lambrecht
With over 12 miles of trails and a beautiful waterfall to boot, there is a reason why Amicalola Falls is such a beautiful state park in Georgia. We recommend the Amicalola Falls Loop Trail, which is over two miles of pure beauty, and a great opportunity to glimpse the tallest waterfall in the state of Georgia.
Flickr Alexander Lerch
Views, views, and more views. Cloudland Canyon is a leaf-peepers paradise. Not to mention, a spot for some surreal hiking trails. We highly recommend the Waterfalls Trail, which will give you access to two beautiful waterfalls, Hemlock Falls and Cherokee Falls.
Flickr Soil Science
The Canyon Loop Trail at Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon is one of the best hikes in the state. The trail is just under five miles, and allows for both stream bed access and magnificent canyon views. Make sure you hike this trail in order to truly experience one of the natural wonders of Georgia.
Flickr G. DAWSON
The Arabia Mountain Top Trail is one of the greatest ways to either welcome a sunrise, or catch a sunset. The trail itself is not even 1.5 miles, but allows for a climb up the mountaintop to experience the sweeping scenic views.
Flickr Carl Black
There are over 10 miles of trails in Black Rock Mountain State Park, but our favorite would have to be the James E. Edmond Trail. It’s not an easy one, and clocks in at around seven miles in total. But once you check out the vistas, the laurel-filled coves, and the small waterfalls throughout, you’ll realize just how fantastic this hiking trail is.
Flickr Jeff Gunn
If you’re going to hike one trail at Tallulah Gorge State Park, then you probably should make it the Hurricane Falls Trail. It’s around two miles round trip, and contains a total of 1,099 stairs to climb from the gorge floor to the best views in the park.
Flickr Sammy Hancock
The Blood Mountain Trail in Vogel State Park may just be the best of the best in terms of Georgia hiking. The trail itself boasts a 1,525-foot ascent, and stunning, sweeping views of everything autumn has to offer in Georgia. Blood Mountain Trail is the most popular in the park, and will leave you feeling accomplished once you reach the top.
Flickr Dave Lawrence
If you’re looking to hike for the sake of reaching an incredible overlook, then you’ll be satisfied with the Indian Seats Trail in the Sawnee Mountain Preserve. You’ll reach the summit around a few miles, and be able to catch the majestic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Prepare to be amazed.
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Address: 418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534Address: 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Rd, Tallulah Falls, GA 30573Address: 4075 Spot Rd, Cumming, GA 30040Address: 405 Vogel State Park Rd, Blairsville, GA 30512Address: 3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy, Mountain City, GA 30562Address: 3787 Klondike Rd, Lithonia, GA 30038Address: 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd, Rising Fawn, GA 30738Address: 181 Fort Mountain State Park Rd, Chatsworth, GA 30705Address: 1750 Mt Vernon Rd, Lithia Springs, GA 30122
