Kennesaw Mountain, 6 miles

This will be a recreational hike at a moderate, but steady pace. If you wish to hike at a faster fitness pace ahead of the group then that is okay as long as you are familiar with the trail and check in with me as you pass me on your way back to the visitor center. We will meet at the visitor center entrance facing the parking lot. From there we will hike to the summit of Big Kennesaw Mountain then down into the saddle and back up Little Kennesaw Mountain. Then a long downhill past Pidgeon Hill brings us to the three mile marker near Burnt Hickory Road. We will hike from Burnt Hickory Road back the way we came for a double traverse of Big and Little Kennesaw Mountains. The distance is 6 miles and the total elevation gain is approximately 1,700 feet. There is a significant amount of elevation gain on this hike, so you should maintain a comfortable but steady pace, We will likely become spread out on the trail. Those unfamiliar with the trail will regroup at trail junctions and other locations where it is possible to loose the trail. 

A parking pass is required. Information is available at: Fees and Passes - Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Hiking shoes

Water

Depending on the weather:

Extra layers of clothing

Rain gear

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 overflow parking lot to the visitors center in the event that the main parking lot is full. Plan to arrive at the visitor center about ten minutes before the hike begins.