Kennesaw Mountain - 6 miles

Please join us for a Friday afternoon change of scenery and exercise.  Kennesaw is on virtually every publication's list of best places to hike in the Atlanta area.

This time we will do the 6-mile trek where we start from the Visitor Center, climb "big" Kennesaw, Little Kennesaw, and Pigeon Hill.

We then turnaround at the Burnt Hickory Road parking area and reverse the trek returning to the Visitor Center.

Please plan to meet us at the Visitor Center front doorway at the beginning and at the Visitor Center picnic tables at the end of the trek.

If you don't know the trek, there is no need to have concern.  There are lots of people on trail and we have 2 trip leaders that will bookend the group.   One will take point at the front of the group and the other will sweep at the back of the group.

Please keep in mind this is a difficult Hike with lots of hills.  Elevation gains total 1617 feet for out and back, including an initial section gain of 534 feet for Kennesaw.  After the peak, we will also experience enough rocks for some fancy footwork in the following sections. 

D4s are categorized for being moderate to difficult, with total climbing of a more challenging 1500 or more feet at a faster pace.

You must be able to complete this hike in 2 hours 45 minutes to receive credit.

1) I-75 North to exit 267B Hwy 5 Canton Road Connector

2) If you are not heading west after getting off of the Interstate you are going the wrong way.  You should be heading towards US 41 and downtown Marietta after getting off of I-75 onto the Canton Road Connector and see Kennesaw Mountain on your right.

3) You will be tempted to take the first exit off of the Canton Road Connector which is US 41, but do not take it.  Proceed over US 41 on a bridge staying on the Canton Road Connector.

4) After crossing US 41 take a right at the first redlight which is Church Street Extension.

5) You should cross railroad tracks soon.

6) Take a left onto Old 41 at the second redlight.  If you get to US 41 again, you have missed the turn onto Old 41 so turn around.

7) Stay on Old US 41 until you pass in front of the mountain then turn left at the redlight and park in the main visitor center lot if you can.  If full head back out to Old 41, take a left and park in the overflow parking lot farther down the road on the left.

Allow 10 minutes to walk from the new parking lot to the visitors center in the event that the main parking lot is full.

Meet prior to 2:00pm at the cannon outside the main entrance of the Visitor Center. If you are late you will have to try and catch up with the group. 

No cost but PLEASE NOTE that the park now has a FEE. 

Please go to www.recreation.gov to select an option and make payment.  I found the process to be very easy for buying a day pass, receiving a digital copy, and printing a dashboard copy.

Please do this purchase FROM A COMPUTER as trying to temporarily park at the visitor center to proceed in inside the center to make a purchase may be logistically challenging.