Georgia hiking is blessed with wide terrain diversity from deep gorges and canyons to mountain summits, shoals to waterfalls, urban overlooks to historic sites, and rushing trout streams and wide rivers.
Here are six of the scenic hiking destinations to explore in the state of Georgia:
Blood Mountain
The Blood Mountain Trail is a looping style of path at 7.1 miles in length and situated near Blairsville, GA. A great feature of this trail is the scenic forest view.
It has an elevation gain of 1461-ft with heavy usability and rated as difficult, so a preferred course for the more experienced hiker.
The blood Mountain trail is open to the public from May to October and dogs are permitted provided a leash is used.
Raven Cliff Falls
The Raven Cliff Falls trail at 4.9 miles in length (there and back) is situated near Helen, GA, and provides a stunning hike to a waterfall.
Other great features include its scenery, river, and forest. It has an elevation gain of 856-ft with heavy foot-traffic and regularly used for hiking, fishing, and camping. This is a dog-friendly Georgia hiking trail, but the dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
Plus, the Raven Cliff Falls path is open year-round for hikers and backpackers to enjoy.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
The Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a loop trail at 7.25 miles in length and situated in Mariette, GA.
Great features of this trail include its wildlife, wildflowers, views, and forest. It has an elevation gain of 2660-ft with a medium difficulty rating and accessible to the public year-round. The main function of this path is trail running, hiking, and bird watching.
For easier access to the site of the civil war cannons, a shuttle bus can be taken to reach the 2-mile marker. Dogs can be taken on the trail provided a leash is used.
Sweetwater Creek
The Sweetwater Creek Trail is a looping path that is approx 4.3 miles in length and situated near Lithia Springs, GA.
This trail is relatively easy to navigate and open for hikers of all skill levels. It has an elevation gain of 332-ft and opens to the public from September to May. Some of the most attractive features at Sweetwater Creek include its wildlife, waterfall, river, forest, and cave.
Usage in the region is low-medium and trail running and hiking is the most popular use. Dogs are allowed on the trail provided a leash is used.
Panther Creek
The Panther Creek Trail is an out and back path at 7.1 miles in length and situated near Clarkesville, GA. It has an elevation gain of 740-ft with medium usage and popular for camping, walking, and hiking.
Plus, dogs are permitted on leash. Great features of Panther Creek include the waterfall, views, river, and forest.
Panther Creek is accessible to the public year-round with many changes in the scenery throughout the different seasons.
Amicalola River
The Amicalola River Trail is a loop style of path at 2.95 miles in length and situated near Dawsonville, GA.
It has light usage, a 450-ft elevation gain, and accessible to the public year-round. Great features of this moderate rated path include its scenery and rivers.
The primary function of the Amicalola River trail is walking and hiking.