Atlanta TrailsbyTrailful Outdoor Co
Atlanta Hiking Trails

Sope Creek Trail: hiking the mill ruins and pond loop

Hike the Sope Creek Trail to the ruins of a stacked-stone Civil War-era paper mill on the banks of a rocky creek, and then loop to a serene pond in a scenic Chattahoochee River park in Atlanta.

georgia hiking trails: 0-2 miles 1.5 miles
(round trip)
? Your mileage may vary! Accuracy of your GPS device, weather conditions, and stops along your route will affect your own recorded distance.
georgia hiking trails: easyeasy to
moderate
?Our difficulty estimate, based on distance, terrain, elevation change, & ease of wayfinding. May vary daily due to weather, trail reroutes, downed trees, etc.
georgia hiking trails: dog-friendly Dog-
friendly
?Leashed dogs are allowed on this trail. We’ve loved hiking this route with our trail-loving Labrador Retrievers! Check out more of our favorite dog-friendly trails in Georgia for a great hike with your pup.

LOCATION:Chattahoochee River in metro Atlanta, Georgia

PACK:our Osprey day pack and our hiking gear list

Tucked into a high-end neighborhood just outside Atlanta, Sope Creek Park offers over three miles of scenic hiking, mountain biking, and running trails. The park’s extensive network of trails explore the stone ruins of a paper mill destroyed by Union troops during the Civil War, now standing in multi-story, castle-like ruins.

Alongside the paper mill ruins, Sope Creek flows broad and shallow, coursing through angular shoals under a canopy of trees towards the wide Chattahoochee River downstream. And there’s a large, glassy pond near the trailhead that offers tranquil views and, in warm-weather months, abundant wildflowers along its banks.

Sope Creek Trail in Marietta GA

Sope Creek Park is one of many parks in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area – a network of fantastic parks and hiking trails on the Chattahoochee River in Metro Atlanta. Compared to other parks in the Chattahoochee River NRA like the ultra-popular Cochran Shoals Trail, Sope Creek is usually less crowded, offering a quiet, local escape from Atlanta’s whirlwind of traffic, noise, and concrete. This scenic loop explores the park’s highlights, visiting the paper mill ruins on both sides of Sope’s rocky creek bed before looping to the placid waters of Sibley Pond.

Hike the Sope Creek Trail to the ruins of a stacked-stone Civil War-era paper mill on the banks of a rocky creek, and then loop to a serene pond in a scenic Chattahoochee River park in Atlanta. #hiking #running #trails #atlanta #georgia #travel #outdoors #adventure

Sope Creek Trail: the hike

The hike departs from the Sope Creek trailhead (see the trail maps and driving directions), traveling east and dropping elevation through a young hardwood forest. Sope Creek Park offers an extensive trail network, and numbered signposts and maps at each major trail intersection help with wayfinding through the park’s maze of trails. From the trailhead, this hike travels eastbound to signposts SC3 and SC4, and then drops to the paper mill ruins at SC27. The hike reaches the towering 19th-century mill ruins at just under .5 mile.

Hike the Sope Creek Trail to the stone ruins of a Civil War paper mill in Atlanta, GA

The mill was built in 1855 and was destroyed by Union troops during the Civil War, targeted for its role in paper production used for Confederate currency. The remnants of the foundation and walls stand, cathedral-like, beside Sope Creek, and a small spillway waterfall tumbles beside the stone ruins. Following the paths around the ruins, the hike reaches the creek’s banks and begins following the creek’s flow downstream, hiking southeast and away from the bridge. The creek tumbles over strewn angular boulders, flowing past the 19th-century paper mill ruins. Colorful wildflowers line the creek’s banks, stretching tall to reach the sunlight streaming through the leafy canopy above.

Hike Atlanta's Sope Creek Trail to the stone ruins of a paper mill destroyed during the Civil War

Before reaching a side creek that flows from Sibley Pond, the hike skips over the creek’s rocky, angular bed to visit the foundation and ruins of a second mill building on the opposite bank.

The hike crosses back to the creek’s western banks, following a small tributary creek uphill to signpost SC6. The hike turns left at SC6, crossing the creek via stepping stones and winding through the shady forest to SC7 and SC13. Reaching SC13, the hike hangs a right, traveling westbound to the banks of Sibley Pond.

Hike Atlanta's Sope Creek Trail to a rocky creek, Civil War-era mill ruins and a glassy pond on a 1.5 mile, kid-friendly loop

The pond is often unusually clear: peer quietly from the shore to glimpse its inhabitants, including turtles and large fish. The hike follows the paths around Sibley Pond to SC17 and SC15, making a loop around its grassy, wildflower-lined shore. At SC15, this hike turns left, hiking northwest to the Sope Creek trailhead, and completing the adventure at 1.5 miles.



More Sope Creek hiking adventures

Up for some more mileage at the park, and a high-mileage intown hike? Sope Creek’s network of trails connect to the popular Cochran Shoals Trail on the Chattahoochee River. Check out our Cochran Shoals to Sope Creek trail review for more info and maps for this 8.5-mile adventure that visits Sope Creek’s ruins, the banks of the wide-flowing ‘Hooch, and a small, historic cemetery between the two parks.


 
Leave No Trace: Atlanta Trails, Asheville Trails and Trailful are official Leave No Trace partners

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.

Sope Creek Trail at Sope Creek Park Map, Directions & Details

This map shows our approximate route while exploring this trail, but does not replace an official trail map. Please refer to the official trail map for the most current and accurate route.

Love the trail?

This trail is maintained thanks to the hard work of countless volunteers and donations from supporters of the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy. Please support them by making a donation or joining a volunteer day. Let's work together to keep these fantastic trails maintained and open for use!

Driving Directions



Parking

$5 day pass, or included with a Chattahoochee River NRA annual pass


GPS Coordinates

33.937600, -84.44300     //     N33 56.256 W84 26.580

Elevation Profile

Sope Creek Trail at Sope Creek Park: Elevation Profile
 

Eric Champlin is a creative director and photographer who loves to explore southeast. He's the co-owner of Trailful Outdoor Co, a locally-owned hiking outfitter shop in Hiawassee in the Georgia mountains near the Appalachian Trail. He’s also the co-founder of Atlanta Trails and Asheville Trails, digital magazines that highlight the South’s best outdoor adventures. His mission? To inspire others to get fit outdoors and explore the South’s incredible scenic beauty.