After Work Hike-Nature Trails and Up the Mountain (Stone)

Join me after work (or end of the day if you are the lucky retired) for a walk through the woods and up Stone Mountain.

We'll meet at the start of the Walk-up Trail for introductions. We will start by hiking to the connector trail that leads to the Nature Trail. After enjoying a hike in the shade, we'll join with the Cherokee Trail and head up the mountain. At the top we'll enjoy the views from all directions by taking a lap around the top. We will descend via the woods and take the Cherokee Trail down to the connector trail, returning to our starting point.

The addition of the Nature, connector and Cherokee trails will add about a mile to the regular up and down the mountain hike. Distance is just 3 to 3.5 miles, but elevation will be approximately 700 feet. The pace will be solidly moderate: 2.5-2.8 mph. We'll take the time we need going up the mountain.

It will be hot! So bring water; this is a required item.

Stone Mountain Park Trail Map

FROM I-285/US 78 TO THE PARK'S EAST GATE ENTRANCE:

From the I-285/ US-78 interchange, take US Hwy 78 East 7.7 miles. Bear right at Exit #8 to the Stone Mountain Park East Gate main entrance.

ONCE INSIDE PARK, DRIVE TO THE WALK-UP TRAIL PARKING LOT:

After entering via the East Gate, first follow Jefferson Davis Drive about a mile straight ahead until you reach the fork in the road. Bear right onto Robert E. Lee Blvd and follow it about another mile. Pass the West Gate entrance (on the right) and you'll soon see the large Historical & Enviornmental Education Center (formerly Confederate Hall) parking lot on your left where you can park.  We'll meet by the stone restroom building at the base of the Walk-Up Trail.

FROM I-285/US 78 TO THE PARK'S WEST GATE ENTRANCE:

From the I-285/US-78 interchange, take US 78 East about 7 miles. Bear right on Exit #5 to Memorial Drive and keep in right lane to exit about a half mile ahead. Turn left onto E. Ponce de Leon Ave, turn left at the first traffic light onto James B. Rivers Memorial Dr. Turn right after passing through the gate and you'll see the Walk-up Trail parking lot on your left.

OPTIONAL FREE PARK ENTRANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS & BICYCLISTS:
There's no charge for pedestrians or bicyclists to enter Stone Mountain Park. There is usually plenty of free parking just outside the Park in the Stone Mountain Village area. The Village is near the Park's West Gate entrance. Take the West Gate directions but go through the first light to continue into the Village.  You can park near the railroad tracks and walk about 1/2 mile up East Mountain Street and directly into the park through a small gate. Please be aware this is 2 hour parking - though I know of no one who has had a problem.
Another free parking lot is the Red Caboose Visitor Center lot also on Main Street, which has its own paved walking/biking trail into the Park. Continue on Main Street until you see the red caboose on your left. In about 10 minutes you can walk into the Park via the paved PATH trail, turn left on Robert E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yards) until you reach the large parking lot on the right.

$20 day pass, $40 annual pass (recommended if you'll be coming back), or walk from Stone Mountain village (see directions above).