Hike five miles on Arabia Mountain’s most scenic & popular trails, hiking through a rocky forest to a glassy lake, over the Klondike Boardwalk, and to outstanding summit views near Atlanta.
(round trip)
moderate
friendly
LOCATION:Arabia Mountain near Atlanta, Georgia
PACK:our Osprey day pack and our hiking gear list
The Klondike Boardwalk Trail stretches .5 mile, bordering the often-busy Klondike Road on one side while catching views of an enormous, domed mountain summit on the other. And while it’s beautifully constructed, what this boardwalk connects makes it truly outstanding: several of the best trails in the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.
This 5.1-mile hike near Atlanta trails beneath towering pine on the Forest Trail, skirts the shores of the glassy Arabia Lake, treks wide-open rock expanses on the Mile Rock Trail, and summits the park’s mountain on the Mountain Top Trail for some outstanding, take-your-breath-away, long-range views. This route packs more beauty and scenic diversity into five miles than any other we’ve hiked in Metro Atlanta.
Arabia Lake, Boardwalk, & Summit Trails: the hike
The hike begins at the Arabia Mountain Nature Center trailhead (view maps and driving directions), hiking North from the parking area on the unpaved Forest Trail. The hike rolls elevation through a pine forest, trekking over a trail littered with pine needles. Dappled sunlight streams down through the towering canopy of pine trees above.
The Forest Trail skirts sections of exposed rock as it arcs southwest, passing a broad, rocky clearing at .5 mile that’s littered with boulders, mosses, and lichen. The hike reaches the lake at .85 mile, catching reflective views of the opposite shore in the lake’s often-glassy surface. The concrete and metal remains of a bridge punctuate the center of the lake, framed by tall grasses and trees.
Departing the lake’s shore, the hike trails uphill, passing an open-walled shelter on trail right and beginning to follow the park’s Mile Rock Trail. The trail follows large, cemented rock cairns in this section of the hike as it treks through wide-open, mostly-barren fields of rock. Small streams cascade over the open stretches of rock; watch your step – the smooth rock surface can be very slippery when wet. Lichens and mosses encrust the rock surface, and shallow craters collect enough soil to host pockets of wildflowers and grasses on this sun-drenched, barren landscape.
Continuing to follow the cairn trail markers, the Mile Rock Trail passes the remains of several buildings, evidence of the area’s quarry past, and a grassy marsh. The trail diverges at 1.75 miles, and this hike swings right, soon meeting the park’s paved PATH Trail. The route follows the paved PATH southwest (with Klondike Road on the trail’s left), crossing the road at 2 miles and hiking the wide, wooden Klondike Boardwalk.
The Klondike Boardwalk passes the mountain’s lower elevations on the left, catching views of a partially wooded landscape that’s filled with mosses, lichens, grasses, marshes and small streams. Reaching the boardwalk’s end at 2.55 miles, the hike crosses through a gravel parking lot to reach the trailhead of the Arabia Mountain Top Trail.
The hike treks the Mountain Top Trail eastbound, following rock cairns through a landscape of grasses, wildflowers, and sweet-scented pine. The hike veers left at 2.9 miles, turning northbound and beginning a steep climb to the summit. The Mountain Top Trail reaches the summit at 3.2 miles, catching 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape, and a lake at the mountain’s base to the East.
Craters dapple the mountain’s smooth-faced summit, catching rainwater and reflective views of the wide-open skies overhead. And in early springtime (usually February to March), these pools fill with a tiny, crimson succulent plant named diamorpha. The Arabia Mountain summit is just outstanding: it’s a scenic, photogenic landscape that’s ever-changing – and ever-beautiful – in every season.
The hike departs the summit and doubles back to the Mountain Top Trailhead and retraces its steps on the Klondike Boardwalk Trail northbound. The route reaches the boardwalk’s end at 4.6 miles. After crossing Klondike Road, the hike turns right to follow the paved PATH Trail to the nature center trailhead, completing the adventure at just over 5 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.
Love the trail?
This trail is maintained thanks to the hard work of countless volunteers and donations from supporters of the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance. 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
Free parking is available at the National Heritage Area trailhead on Klondike Road.
GPS Coordinates
33.672095, -84.117488 // N33 40.326 W84 07.049