Our seven favorite trails that offer the best of hiking for beginners. These hikes grow in length and difficulty as you progress through the list, offering a plan for new hikers and those seeking to introduce their kids to a new outdoor adventure.
Written by Lesli Peterson. Photos by Eric Champlin.
I’m the editor of 365 Atlanta Family. Together with my husband and two boys, our family puts a great focus on spending time outdoors and soaking up what my boys call “Vitamin Sunshine.” Hiking is an important part of our weekly routine- we get our kids outdoors for the same reason we head outdoors ourselves. Not only is it is physically beneficial, it is emotionally and mentally advantageous. Time in nature brings our senses alive, and it aligns us with something larger than ourselves. We are able to explore this fantastic part of the South, unplug from our devices and focus on the things that truly make us happy.
“We have such a brief opportunity to pass on to our children our love for this Earth, and to tell our stories. These are the moments when the world is made whole. In my children’s memories, the adventures we’ve had together in nature will always exist.”
― Richard Louv
Hiking was easy while my son was young: throw him in an Ergo carrier and head up the mountain. With diapers and snacks, a 6-mile moderate hike made for a pleasant day. Once he preferred to walk, things changed dramatically. Today, a 3-mile hike with my 7 and 3 year old is how we spend our best days, but we didn’t get there overnight.
Hiking for beginners: exploring Atlanta’s trails
This list of Atlanta trails is reminiscent of the progression we’ve made to date. Whether you’re introducing your kids to the great outdoors or you’re making the investment yourself into a wild wonder of peaceful refuge, this hiking plan for beginners is a great place to start.
And remember: even if you don’t finish the full trail on the first try, hiking is as much about the journey as it is the destination. You can always return for a second, third or fourth time to get a new perspective, as we often do, and reach your goal of finishing the hike.
METRO ATLANTA
Piedmont Park Trails
0-4 MILES
Piedmont Park is an ideal location for beginners. The Lake Loop is paved and relatively flat, with gorgeous views of the city skyline. It’s a great family walk, especially if your final destination is the Noguchi Playground.
ATLANTA TRAILS INFO, PHOTOS & MAPS
365 ATLANTA FAMILY: INFO & PHOTOS
NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS
Anna Ruby Falls Trail
.9 MILES
Anna Ruby Falls provides a shorter hike, but with a more intense slope. Boulders, lizards, wildflowers and bridges along the half-mile keep kiddos preoccupied during the climb.
ATLANTA TRAILS INFO, PHOTOS & MAPS
365 ATLANTA FAMILY: INFO & PHOTOS
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER
Island Ford Trail
2 MILES
Exceptional views of the Chattahoochee and gigantic caves once used as shelter by local settlers make this a fun hike for everyone.
ATLANTA TRAILS INFO, PHOTOS & MAPS
365 ATLANTA FAMILY: INFO & PHOTOS
ARABIA MOUNTAIN
Forest and Mile Rock Trail Loop
2 MILES
These two trails intersect to form a diverse hiking experience spanning two miles. It begins in a Loblolly Pine forest and ends on the granite outcrops, creating a two-mile course.
ATLANTA TRAILS INFO, PHOTOS & MAPS
365 ATLANTA FAMILY: INFO & PHOTOS
SWEETWATER CREEK STATE PARK
Sweetwater Creek Red Trail
2.3 MILES
Hike along Sweetwater Creek, with gorgeous rock formations that create a peaceful background noise on your journey. Turn around at the historic ruins, or push through for a full hike on the White Trail to tour more rugged beauty at Sweetwater Creek State Park.
ATLANTA TRAILS INFO, PHOTOS & MAPS
365 ATLANTA FAMILY: INFO & PHOTOS
NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS
Raven Cliff Falls Trail
4.9 MILES
The longest of hikes in this collection makes Raven Cliff something to work toward , but continuous waterfalls and a relatively level slope make it an achievable feat. I don’t recommend the last 1/8 mile with kids, but that steals nothing from the beauty of this hike.
ATLANTA TRAILS INFO, PHOTOS & MAPS
365 ATLANTA FAMILY: INFO & PHOTOS
SAWNEE MOUNTAIN
Indian Seats Trail
4 MILES
Enjoy the full 4-mile trail to the Indian Seats, or cut it short for a quick view to the top. However you plan to get there, enjoy the view and bring a camera for gorgeous photos at over 1600 ft.
ATLANTA TRAILS INFO, PHOTOS & MAPS
365 ATLANTA FAMILY: INFO & PHOTOS
More great Georgia hikes for beginners
Tackled this bucket list, and ready for some more hiking fun and outdoor adventures? Don’t miss our favorite waterfall hikes near Atlanta, or our seven favorite Georgia waterfall hikes, all under two miles. Or explore a stretch of the famous, epic-length Appalachian Trail in North Geogia, and catch some extraordinary views on these seven hikes on the Appalachian Trail, all under six miles.
Please Remember
Always leave no trace, pack out everything you pack in, and if you see trash, pick it up and pack it out.
Stay on the marked trail, tell someone where you're going, pack safety and wayfinding essentials, and don't rely on a mobile phone to find your way. Please always practice good trail etiquette. And before you go, always check the trailhead kiosk, official maps, and the park or ranger office for notices of changed routes, trail closures, safety information, and restrictions.