Hike Inn Trail

If you are comfortable on the AOC D2s and beginner D3s, then come join me for a little challenge. If you've ever wanted to challenge yourself or take a hike to the Hike Inn but all the events were just too difficult for you because of the pace, this is your event. We will be doing a moderate pace. Faster on the flat & down hills & a little slower on the hills.  This is NOT a hike for beginners.

We will meet at the Amicalola Falls State Park Visitor Center to check in and use the restroom facilities. There is a $5.00 fee or an Annual GA State Park Pass to park. We will then caravan up to the Upper Falls parking lot. We sill start the hike at 9:30 am and be back at this parking lot by 3:30 pm.

This is a D4 but the pace we will be taking will be much slower than other D4s. I have compromised to call it a beginner D4 due to the elevation & distance, although I want to call it a D3 due to our pace.

This great hike departs from the upper parking area at Amicalola Falls State Park. The trail is entirely within the Chattahoochee National Forest, except for the portion in Amicalola Falls State Park and that surrounds the Hike Inn. Although much of the way is an easy hike, there are some climbs of moderate difficulty. This hike is 5.5 miles to the Inn with approximately 1300 feet of elevation gain up to the Hike Inn and 800 feet on the return for a total of 11 miles for the day.

Stately hickories, oaks, and pine trees line the trail as you steadily rise and fall on modest ridges. As the trail dips, you’ll traverse green, fern-filled valleys  with small streams that are shaded by mountain laurels stretching across the trail. On clear days, you can sometimes see views of Kennesaw Mountain and the Atlanta skyline at the overlooks along the trail.

This is NOT A BIGINNERS HIKE!!!   Also this is NOT A FAST PACE hike.  We want to enjoy the trail / views and stay together as a group.

Nestled near the southern end of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain, the Len Foote Hike Inn is a small, eco-friendly, rustic-modern inn that’s accessible only via hike. The inn opened in November 1998 and sits at an altitude of 3,100 feet. The Inn was named to honor Leonard E. Foote who was a leading conservationist, biologist, and nature photographer who lived and worked in Georgia until his death in May 1989. Leonard Foote was a man of many talents and abilities that he devoted to preserving and studying the beauty of the outdoors.

We will take our time eating our lunches / snacks, resting & walking around the Hike Inn before returning back down the trail to the parking lot. The Hike Inn usually has desserts & fruit left over from the night before but this is not guaranteed. There are generally beverages as well including lemonade and iced tea. Also bring a cash donation for these items.

If you are meeting at the event, PLEASE arrive at the Amicalola Falls State Park Visitor Center no later than 9:00 am since we will be starting our hike PROMPTLY at 9:30 am or earlier if all are ready.

Amicalola Falls State Park Visitor Center - from Windward Pkwy Park & Ride

Head northeast on Dryden Rd (0.2 mi)

Turn left onto North Point Pkwy (0.2 mi)

Use the 2nd from the left lane to turn left at the 1st cross street onto Windward Pkwy (0.2 mi)

Turn right to merge onto GA-400 N/US-19 N (15.0 mi)

Take exit 17 for GA-306 toward Gainesville (0.4 mi)

Turn left onto GA-306 W (1.2 mi)

Turn right onto GA-9 N (13.7 mi)

Turn left onto Main St (0.3 mi)

Continue onto Hwy 53 W/Jasper St (2.2 mi)

Slight right onto GA-183 (10.4 mi)

Slight right toward GA-52 E (322 ft)

Merge onto GA-52 E (1.5 mi)

Amicalola State Park Road will be on your left

Follow the signs to the Visitor Center