Before Work Saunter In Simpsonwood - Beginners (and Dogs) Welcome!

Nestled among several neighborhoods, Simpsonwood Park is a 223 acre wooded oasis in the Northeast Atlanta suburb of Peachtree Corners.  A beautiful and tranquil setting that includes several streams, great views of the Chattahoochee River and a high potential to see deer and other wildlife.

What to expect:

• Approx. a 75 miniute easy hike on natural, uneven terrain
• A 2.42 mile loop at a leisurely pace (appox. 2.0-2.3 mph)
• Less than 200 feet of total ascent
• Two extended water breaks
• Three easy water crossings (2 with well-placed rocks, 1 a short hop)
• Two bridge water crossings
• Possible muddy areas (especially after recent rain)
• An on-time start at 7:30AM (please arrive 10-15 minutes early, I have to get to work)
• Restrooms available

We'll begin our hike from the parking area at the entrance of the park.  The first leg will take us west down to the Chattahoochee River along the northern edge of the park through a dense forest and adjacent to a small creek.  Then we will walk for a short distance south along the Chattahoochee River.

We'll take a quick detour to the Simpsonwood Labyrinth (see note below) and an extended water break.  Then we will again walk south along the Chattahoochee River making one detour onto the road where the trail is cut off by a deep gulch.

At the southern edge of the park we'll turn east and walk away from the river.  We'll continue walking east along a peaceful, meandering stream.

Eventually, we'll walk away from the stream and head through an old, abandoned campsite.  Here we will take another extended water break before heading north through the forest to end at the parking lot where we started.

DOGS ARE WELCOME as long as they are on a leash and well-behaved.  Please indicate if you are bringing a dog when you sign up.  Please be prepared to clean up after your dog.

The Simpsonwood Labyrinth

A labyrinth is different from a maze, though the two are often confused. The labyrinth is one of the oldest contemplative and transformational tools known to mankind, used for centuries of prayer, ritual, initiation, and personal and spiritual growth. This ancient and powerful tool is unicursal, offering only one route to the center and back out again; no blind alleys, dead ends or tricks, as in a maze. No matter where you are in the labyrinth’s coherent circuits, you can always see the center. Once you set your foot upon its path, the labyrinth gently and faultlessly leads you to the center of both the labyrinth and yourself, no matter how many twists and turns you negotiate in the process.

Address: 4511 Jones Bridge Circle, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092

The park is across the street from the Simpsonwood United Methodist Church

Note: there are two driveways - one is enter only and one is exit only.

When you turn into the park, try to park immediately on the left before the bathroom building.  If there are no spots here, you can drive a little further into the park, past the big meadow, and there is additional parking on the left.  There is no parking fee.

https://www.gwinnettcounty.c om/web/gwinnett/Departments/CommunityServices/ParksandRecreat ion/OurParksandFacilities/GuidetoYourParks/SimpsonwoodPark

Please note: on weekdays we may see and hear some construction noise during part of our hike -- Gwinnett County Water Resources is working on a big project with the pump station at the park.