Best Day Hikes Near Atlanta (Under 1 Hour Away!)
Looking to hit the trails but don’t want to drive too far? We got you covered! These are some of the best hiking trails, less than 1 hour drive from Atlanta, making them perfect for a day trip. Lace up your hiking boots and get ready for a day filled with adventure on these scenic trails, all while staying close to the city.
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Pine Mountain
Distance from Atlanta: 40 minutes
Trail Length: 2.2 miles
Pine Mountain is located in Cartersville, around 40 minutes from downtown Atlanta. To find the trail, type in Pine Mountain Trail, West in your gps. This will take you to a large parking area where you can find the trailhead.
The trail is a 2.2 mile loop so you can start from either direction. At the top of the loop you’ll follow signs to the connector trail that leads to the summit. Here you’ll be rewarded with views of Lake Allatoona, the surrounding hills, and Cartersville.
Toonigh Creek Falls
Distance from Atlanta: 40 minutes
Trail Length: 3.4 miles
This falls is a little bit of a hidden gem- especially for those who live close to Atlanta. Located in Woodstock, this trail is only 40 minutes from Atlanta, making it perfect for a day trip. The trail is around 3.4 miles round trip but can be a little difficult to follow because there are no signs pointing you to the falls. Read this article before visiting so you know how to find the waterfall!
Indian Seat Trail
Distance from Atlanta: 45 minutes
Trail Length: 3.5 miles
Indian Seat trail is located at Sawnee Mountain in Cumming, Ga. This trail is a loop, starting counter clockwise, you’ll gain elevation quickly before making it to the highest point at the observation deck. Here you’ll be rewarding with sweeping views of the nearby towns. When you are ready to return you can follow the loop or come back the way you came.
East Palisades Trail
Distance from Atlanta: 20 minutes
Trail Length: Varies
The East Palisades trails is one of the most popular trails near Atlanta. The most notable areas on this trail is the bamboo forest and overlook of the Chattahoochee river. There are many side trails in this trail system so it can be a bit confusing to get around. While there are signs at every intersection, it doesn’t mark where to find these locations.
To locate the bamboo forest, you are going to want to follow the map to EP 26. The river overlook is found on the peak between EP 10 and EP 14. To reach either of these locations you are looking at between 2-4 miles round trip, depending on which parking lot you start at.
There are two parking areas you can start at, either the Indian Trail entrance or the Whitewater Creek Entrance. The Whitewater Creek Entrance has more parking spots while the Indian trail entrance doesn’t have many and fills up very fast.
West Palisades Trail
Distance from Atlanta: 20 minutes
Trail Length: Varies
The west palisades trail system is located on the opposite side of the river of the east palisades. There are two parking lots for these trails: the Paces Mill Entrance or the Akers Mill Entrance. The Paces Mill entrance is the larger of the two and gives you access to the river right off the parking lot.
The trails here don’t have notable view points, but are still nice trails that take you to different parts of the river. I personally love to take the trail from the Akers Mill entrance to the river to hammock. This part of the trail is only around 1 mile round trip with slight elevation gain on the way back to the car.
Kennesaw Mountain
Distance from Atlanta: 30 minutes
Trail Length: Varies
One of the more popular trails, Kennesaw Mountain trail is about 30 minutes from downtown. There is a five dollar parking fee, which can be paid inside or at the kiosks outside. There are numerous trails here, ranging in length. Two trails I recommend checking out are the Kennesaw Mountain trail and the Little Kennesaw Mountain trail.
The Kennesaw Mountain trail is the most popular trail. It is 2.1 miles round trip and starts behind the visitors center. It is uphill the whole time so be sure to pace yourself accordingly. This trail ends when you reach the parking lot at the top with the view. When you’re done taking in the view, you’ll just retrace your steps back down.
To visit Little Kennesaw Mountain, you keep following the trail here instead of turning around. You’ll keep going from another 0.6 mile until you reach a side trail on the right. Here you’ll be greeted by a beautiful overlook, with considerably fewer people than at the other overlook. Once you’re done here, you’ll turn around and go back the way you came.
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High Falls Trail
Distance from Atlanta: 1 hour
Trail Length: 1.5 miles
If you’re looking for a waterfall hike south of Atlanta, High Falls State Park is worth the drive! The Falls View Trail is a 1.5-mile loop that follows the Towaliga River alongside the park’s impressive cascading waterfall. The rocky terrain and uneven footing make this hike a bit more challenging, but the views of the falls make it worthwhile.
Want to plan your visit? Check out my complete guide to hiking High Falls Trail at High Falls State Park for trail details, tips, and everything you need to know before you go.
What to Bring on Day Hikes
Water: Depending on how hot it is and how long of a hike, you should bring atleast 1-2 liters of water to stay hydrated. I prefer to carry a hydration bladder, they make it so much easier to stay hydrated on the trails without lugging around a massive water bottle.
Hiking Poles: On the way up, it helps distribute your weight, on the way down, they provide stability and reduces the impact on your knees.
Hiking Boots: If you enjoy hiking regularly, you should definitely invest in hiking boots or trail shoes. A good pair will offer you ankle support, protection from mud and streams and better tread for hiking all terrain. For trails that are mainly flat a good pair of tennis shoes will do but once you move into different trails and increasing elevation, hiking shoes are a must.
Bear Spray: One thing I hope I never need to use, but always have on hand! It’s not necessary on all hikes, but if you’re heading in bear country you should definitely have it easily accessible.
Snacks: Depending on how long the hike is, I might just bring a few cliff bars, trail mix or fruit. For longer hikes I like to have something more substantial, such as a sandwich and some beef jerky.
Hiking Near Atlanta
When most people think of hiking near Atlanta they think of North Georgia. While the region has some truly stunning hikes, the good news is you don’t have to drive a lengthy amount to discover fantastic trails. There are plenty of trails, all within an hour’s drive from Atlanta, perfect for those days when you crave a hike but prefer to keep it close to home.
If you are up for a longer drive, checkout these hiking trails about a 2-2.5 hour drive from Atlanta: 6 Best Waterfalls in Georgia, 7 Best Hikes in Georgia for Scenic Views.
