Georgia’s northernmost mountains offer some seriously crave-worthy adventures.
But sometimes a long drive from Atlanta to the trailhead just doesn’t fit with our busy schedule. When the mountains call, but an all-day adventure doesn’t fit with our weekend plans, we love to hit the beautiful forests surrounding Allatoona Lake for a generous dose of outdoor beauty and adventure, without the long drive.
Over 25,000 acres of public recreational lands surround Allatoona Lake. Miles of hiking trails wind through beautiful forests, meander along the lake’s shoreline and climb to stunning elevated views on rocky outcrops. Many of the day-use parks around the lake’s shore feature picnic pavilions, grills, playgrounds and swimming beaches perfect for a full day in the outdoors. And, while the lake is a short 40-mile drive from metro ATL, multiple campgrounds nestled along the lakeshore offer the perfect home base for multi-day adventures.
Allatoona also offers ample on-water adventures. The lake’s 270 miles of shoreline and 12,000+ acres of water make it an ultra-popular destination for swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking near Atlanta. Marinas located around the lake offer boat rentals – and kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards can be launched from the lake’s many boat landings and parks.
Lake Allatoona: our favorite hiking trails
Find your next adventure on one of our favorite hiking trails near Allatoona, or search our Georgia trail map to find more nearby adventures:
Pine Mountain Trail
4.5 MILES
Hike the Pine Mountain Trail to a mountain summit near Lake Allatoona, climbing through a stream-filled coniferous forest to a rocky, sun-drenched mountaintop. The trail catches some beautiful lake views from the top – and on a clear day, catches the Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain and Kennesaw Mountain on the far horizon.
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Laurel Ridge Trail and Cooper’s Furnace Trail
1.85 MILES
Spanning less than two miles, this scenic loop packs in a ton of history and beauty along a relatively short, family-friendly loop. Hike the Cooper’s Furnace Trail, exploring a historic, stacked-stone iron furnace on the grassy banks of the Etowah River. The trail intersects with the Laurel Ridge Trail at the site of a Civil War-era railroad bed, and then climbs to high-elevation views of Allatoona Lake, the Etowah River and the Allatoona Dam.
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Pine Log Creek Trail and Quarry
4.4 MILES
Hike the Pine Log Creek Trail north of Lake Allatoona, exploring the site of a former Cherokee settlement and visiting a rocky stone quarry in a beautifully rugged, rocky, rolling forest.
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Red Top Mountain Homestead Trail
5.3 MILES
Hike a moderate loop at Red Top Mountain State Park, following the Homestead Trail along the lake’s rolling, iron-rich, red-tipped shoreline. The trail explores a lush, wildlife-filled forest on Lake Allatoona’s shore, and makes a fantastic trail run, too.
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Red Top Mountain Iron Hill Loop Trail
3.8 MILES
With some of the best on-shore views of Allatoona, the Iron Hill Loop at Red Top Mountain explores a picturesque peninsula on the park’s southern end. Wooden boardwalks and bridges level out the rolling terrain, making this an equally great, beginner-friendly hike, bike, or trail run.
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Red Top Mountain Lakeside Trail
.75 MILE
Explore the Lakeside Trail at Red Top Mountain, following a paved, ADA accessible path to beautiful views from Allatoona’s lake shore. The trail visits several historic log buildings before looping back to the trailhead, passing a historic 1800s log cabin and a log blacksmith shop near Allatoona’s banks.
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Our favorite hiking gear
What to pack for a Lake Allatoona hiking adventure?
Ready to hit the trails near the lake, but wondering what to pack? Our hiking gear list features our favorite, trail-tested hiking gear for day hikes on local trails and in the Georgia backcountry. We print and stitch our Atlanta Trails shirts and hats locally in Atlanta and Asheville, and they’re our favorite for trail adventures all over the South. And no matter what you pack in, pack it all back out. Please leave no trace and help preserve Georgia’s beauty.
OUR HIKING GEAR LIST
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.
