Kennesaw Mountain -- The Religious Route in Reverse

Enjoy an invigorating 7-mile loop hike at Kennesaw Mountain on Good Friday morning, starting and ending at the Pigeon Hill Parking Lot on Burnt Hickory Road.

Our Route: We'll cross the mountain at the beginning of the hike and head toward the visitor center, doing the hardest part while we're fresh. We'll then loop around the mountain on the Camp Brumby Trail, cross Burnt Hickory Road again, and take the New Salem Church Trail back to the parking lot.

What to Expect: This event is rated a D3. Elevation gain will be 1,200+ feet and our moving pace will be moderate. We'll stay together on the hike, with rest/hydration/regrouping breaks as needed.

Logistics: There are no restrooms at the trailhead but we'll pass them at the visitor center. There is drinking water available at both the trailhead and the visitor center.

* I'm frequently asked why the hike is referred to as "The Religious Route." It's because it incorporates the short trail that passes by the ruins of the New Salem Church. My maternal grandmother lived in New Salem, Ohio directly across from the New Salem Methodist Church -- which was a big part of her life. The trail and the ruins remind me of her and the many Sundays during my childhood I spent at that church.

We'll meet at the Pigeon Hill Parking Lot located at the intersection of Burnt Hickory Road NW and Old Mountain Rd NW. See the map above for GPS coordinates or select "Pigeon Hill parking entrance" on Google Maps. If you haven't parked there before, I'd suggest mapping it out ahead of time since members do occasionally get lost.

Parking at Kennesaw Mountain is $5 per verhicle or a valid pass.