Trails in north Georgia
May 2nd, 2008 by admin
In reference to a previous post on really local spots for hiking and camping near Canton Georgia I mentioned Red Top Mountain State Park and Lodge and the benefits of camping right near home. some features that I didn’t mention were some of the networked trails that are located on the grounds that we had hiked that I had previously been on for trail-running over the past few years. These are nice trails for being close to home. When put side by side considering natural beauty with trails like the Appalachian Trail and Benton MacKaye or say the asConasauga River trails in my opinion and for my taste it doesn’t quite measure up but if you are just there to get some running in these trails listed below are well maintained and will do the trick.
- Iron Hill Bike Trail: This trail is accessible to both bikes and hiking. It winds along the lake through historic land which was once home to an old iron mining community in the mid 1800’s. Distance: Approx. 3.9 mile loop, Easy/Moderate
- Homestead Trail: This trail heads out from the visitor center through some dense woods before crossing over Lodge Road and on to the loop section of the trail which runs along the lake and through what used to be several homesteads. The trail is blazed with yellow trail markers. Distance: 5.5 mile loop, Easy/Moderate
- Sweetgum Lodge Loop Trail: The Sweetgum trail heads north from the visitors center parking area and then makes a loop 0.5 miles in which returns to the visitors center. It also branches off and head south from the visitors center to the campgrounds giving access to campers located at the campground. Its also called Campground Trail: Leads from the campground to the visitors center on Red Top Mountain Road . Distance: Approx. 0.5 to 3/4 mile long.
- Visitors Center Loop Trail: This small trail branches off the Sweet Gum Trail which in part runs along a small spring fed stream. Trail marked with red blazes. Distance: 0.75 miles - Easy/Moderate.
- Lakeside Trail: Short trail that runs out from the lodge along the shoreline and back. Distance: 0.75 - Easy
- White Tail Trail: This trail also starts out at the Lodge and shares the trailhead for Sweet Gum Trail Loop then branches off the loop and runs north out to the end where there is a scenic point at the edge of the lake. Distance: 0.5 one way - Easy/Moderate
Combine all these trails together and it can be a nice little network of trails to run thats close by.
Directions:
- Red Top Mountain State Park and Lodge
50 Lodge Rd SE
Cartersville , GA 30121 - Located 45 minutes north of Atlanta near Cartersville, 1.5 miles east of I-75 exit #285.
