Hiking, Cycling & Geocaching

We invite you to discover 20 of the finest trails within an hours drive of Atlanta. All are super convenient to I-75 and offer scenic, historic and natural escapes. Ranging from 850 feet above sea level to 1500 feet above sea level, the diversity of Cartersville’s trails welcomes individuals of all fitness levels. For information on guided hikes, bike rides, walks and runs see Events.

Total 4.38 miles: East Loop 2.34 miles, West Loop 1.57 miles; 4 hours steady pace; compacted soil surface; moderate to difficult.

Pine Mountain is the newest recreation area in the City of Cartersville. The East Loop Trailhead connects the city to Lake Allatoona’s shoreline and reaches 1,562 feet above sea level. The rugged and challenging trail development crosses Pine Mountain and Hurricane Hollow, so named by early miners. The land is part of the 13,000 acres that were originally the site of Mark Cooper’s Iron Empire. The new West Loop Trailhead is now open at I-75 Exit 288, at the entrance to Komatsu. The West Loop connector will tie Pine Mountain Trails to Cooper’s Furnace Nature Trail at the Etowah River. Pine Mountain Trails are open daily for hiking. Mountain biking is allowed only on Wednesday and Saturday. Bikers must follow color-blazed directional signs for those days, no exceptions. Mountain bikers must wear helmets. The trail is maintained by the City of Cartersville Parks & Recreation Department.

See Trail Map

Directions: I-75 Exit 290, east on GA 20. Right at traffic light onto Spur 20. Continue approximately four miles. The East Loop Trailhead access and parking area is on the right, just past the turn to Bartow Beach and Gatewood Park. Or, at I-75 Exit 288, go east, then right at Komatsu sign. Parking area for the West Loop Trailhead is on the left before entering Komatsu. Call 770-387-5626

4.5 miles total for East and West Loops; 3 hours steady pace; compacted soil surface; moderate to difficult.
The Pine Log Creek Trail is part of 275 acres protected as Bartow County Greenspace. The trail features a 4.5 mile compacted soil path crossing seven rustic footbridges over Pine Log Creek. From two overlooks, hikers can view Pine Log Mountain – one of the highest elevations in Bartow County’s Appalachian foothills – and the site of the Pine Log Cherokee Indian Village. The trail system includes two loops east and west and is rated moderate to difficult with rugged terrain. The eastern loop takes hikers by an early CCC quarry pond for picturesque views. Pine Log Creek Trail is open daylight to dusk to hikers only – no motorized vehicles, horses or bicycles. Hunting and fishing is strictly prohibited. As with any trail system, please do not disturb, cut or remove the natural habitat and do not litter.

See Trail Map

Directions: I-75 Exit 293, US 411 north approximately 8 miles. Turn right onto GA 140 east toward Waleska. Continue approximately three miles to Pine Log Creek Trail System parking area on left. For more information call Keep Bartow Beautiful, 770-387-5167.

Trail maps for the following trails are available at Allatoona Lake Project Management Office/Visitor’s Center & Overlook – 8 AM-6 PM (summer), otherwise 8 AM-4 PM. Call 678-721-6700

Vineyard Mountain Trail at Riverside Park
6.5 miles of hiking trails, compacted soil surface, rated moderate-difficult
Three interconnecting trails with blue, yellow and red blazes take hikers along steep slopes overlooking the Etowah River, Allatoona Dam, and Allatoona Lake. Hikers may encounter hawk, fox, or deer and see wild grapevines, poplar trees and azalea bushes. Vineyard Mountain Trail was developed as an Eagle Scout service project and is expanded periodically. Directions : I-75 Exit 288, GA 113 south to US 41 South. See Riverside Park sign then left onto Allatoona Dam Road. A second trailhead is accessible from I-75 Exit 285, east on Red Top Mountain Road to parking area on left at Bethany Bridge crossing Allatoona Lake.

Cooper’s Furnace Trail
Hiking trail of less than one mile, one way; compacted soil surface; rate easy
Trail follows the route of a 19th century mining railroad bed through a mixed pine and hardwood forest. Hikers will see a vast variety of trees, shrubs and wildflowers along the way. Wildlife is abundant here. A natural feature of interest is a pond inhabited by beaver and muskrat. Directions : I-75 Exit 290, GA 20 east, right on Spur 20, approximately 4 miles to parking across from Cooper’s Branch #2 Picnic Area. Trail ends at Cooper’s Furnace Day Use Area along the Etowah River.

Laurel Ridge Trail
One mile, one way; compacted soil surface; rated easy with two short steep grades
The hiking trail crosses the slopes of a mixed pine and hardwood ridge overlooking the Etowah River Valley. Along the way see an abundance of mountain laurel and 32 varieties of identified trees. Directions: I-75 Exit 290, GA 20 east then right onto Spur 20. Continue 4.5 miles to Project Management Office/Visitor’s Center Parking Area.

Cooper Branch Trail
One mile; compacted soil surface; rated easy-moderate
This hiking trail is a short connector that offers scenic views of Allatoona Lake. Bluebird boxes and a natural forest floor make an excellent habitat for wildlife. The trail features a few moderate hills within a forest of mixed pine and hardwoods. Directions: I-75 Exit 290, GA 20 east, right on GA Spur 20, approximately 4 miles. Trails accessible from Cooper’s Branch #1 and Cooper’s Branch #2 Day Use Areas.

Trail maps and information available at the Park Visitor Center, open daily, hours vary seasonally. All vehicles within Red Top Mountain State Park must display ParkPass, available at the Visitor Center and at boxes throughout the park.

Directions: I-75 Exit 285, east on Red Top Mountain Road, cross Allatoona Lake and enter Red Top Mountain State Park. Visitor Center is ahead on the left. Call 770-975-4226

Homestead Trail
Loop is 5.5 miles; compacted soil; yellow blaze; rated moderate
Hiking trail begins and ends at the Visitor Center front porch. After the first mile, the trail crosses Lodge Road and takes visitors to some of the most beautiful areas of the park. The 3.5 mile loop from this point follows the Allatoona shoreline for much of the way and is named for several homesteads once located here.

Iron Hill Trail
Loop is 3.9 miles; crushed stone on double track; blue blaze; rated moderate
This scenic trail is open to hiking and biking and winds along the Allatoona Lake shoreline through an area once used for iron ore mining in the mid-1800s. Native wildlife and plants may be viewed along the way. Continue past the Visitor Center, to parking area on right 1/2 mile past campground.

Sweetgum Trail
3.5 mile loop; compacted soil; red blaze; rated moderate
Hiking trail begins and ends at the Visitor Center parking area and takes visitors to the park’s lodge area through a forest of pine and hardwoods. White tail deer and an abundance of wildlife may be viewed along this trail. A portion of the trail shares its path with the Homestead trail and is marked by both red and yellow blazes.

White Tail Trail
One-half mile trail one way; compacted soil surface; white blaze; rated moderate
Trailhead begins at the Lodge parking area. Visitors may hike to a scenic point at the edge of Allatoona Lake. A portion of this trail shares a path with the Sweetgum Trail.

Lakeside Trail
3/4 mile loop; paved surface; not blazed; rated easy, wheelchair accessible
This ADA Accessible trail begins at the Lodge parking area and loops along the shoreline for much of its length. A focal point is the 1869 Vaughn log cabin, where visitors can enjoy special programs seasonally. Along the way, there are benches and swings where visitors might stop and enjoy nature.

Visitor Center Loop
3/4 mile loop; compacted soil; red/green blaze; rated moderate
Trailhead begins at the Visitor Center parking area and follows Sweetgum Trail red blaze, then turns right following a green blaze through a shaded hardwood forest. Additional features of interest include a small spring-fed stream and two viewing/relaxation platforms.

Allatoona Pass Trail
2.5 miles, 2-3 hours; compacted soil and gravel; rated easy-moderate; maintained by Red Top Mountain State Park
The Allatoona Pass consists of the Western & Atlantic Railroad bed, two earth forts, trenches and outworks dug by Union troops during the Civil War, and the old Tennessee Wagon Road. The level railroad pass is 360 feet long and 180 feet deep through solid rock, and if you look closely you can see where dynamite blasted through the mountain. Interpretive signs guide your way as you journey back through the battlefield, much of which remains as it was during the Battle of Allatoona Pass on October 5,1864. Directions : I-75 Exit 283, east on Old Allatoona Road, cross railroad and continue one mile to parking area on left.

There are many in-town trails that provide ideal locations for fresh air and fitness.

• Dellinger Park 2 mile and 1.3 mile walking/running trail with exercise stations on a cinder/gravel path located at 100 Pine Grove Rd.
• Cartersville Sports Complex includes a 1 mile lighted 18-station vita course at 11 Sugar Valley Rd.
• Pettit Creek Trail is 1.5 miles of paved walking path at 168 Cassville Rd.
• Leake Mounds Trail is 1.7 miles of paved walking pathway featuring pre-historic Native American interpretation. The trail connects to the larger Etowah RiverWalk for 5K training and experiences. See MAP
• Etowah RiverWalk is a 2.6 mile paved walking and biking trail that weaves its way through farmland, sports parks, and historic sites along the Etowah River. Connect to the Leake Mounds Trail for a Certified 5K Road Course.

This 70-acre preserve for environmental studies exists to provide a safe haven for endangered species and serves as an outdoor teaching laboratory. Here students have the opportunity to experience the joy of land in its natural state. All activities within its boundaries seek to limit the impact of humankind while preserving a natural balance. Facilities include a lakeside study center with restrooms, a 1.5 mile hiking trail (compacted soil); a 950-foot hiking trail (compacted soil) featuring a 36-foot swinging bridge, a lakeside amphitheater, and a seating area/fire pit. Additionally, 55 trees are identified along the trails. Pettit Preserve is open to groups for educational study, corporate groups and civic clubs by appointment, and on select EVENT dates. The Pettit Preserve is located off GA 61, turn left on Douthit Bridge Road about 3 miles south of the Cartersville Airport. See signs at Vineyard Road. Preserve Memberships are available. For more information call 678-841-4179 or visit online at www.PettitPreserve.org.

Eight bike routes that are part of a Regional Bicycle Network are marked throughout Bartow County. Bicyclists can enjoy less traveled roads and scenic byways along these routes that range from 43 miles-57 miles:

• Sosebee-Adairsville
• Barnsley
• Sonoraville I
• Sonoraville II
• Sonoraville III
• Booking Bartow
• Cassville-Euharlee-Kingson
• Sosebee/Old Grassdale 50 Mile – not shown on map below – see Sosebee Cycling Park

See Bike Bartow County for more details.

Open daily, Sosebee Cycling Park is a donation-based parking area for cyclists located at 456 Simpson Road NE, White GA 30184. The park provides water, shade, picnic tables, changing rooms and a restroom. A second Sosebee Cycling Park at 433 Bozeman Road in White offers a convenient rest stop as you pedal along low traffic routes ranging from 15 to 100 miles with picturesque views of farmland and the Appalachian foothills. For information call 770-354-4777.

Embark on a modern-day treasure hunt with your friends and family. Use your hand-held GPS to locate caches placed throughout Cartersville and Adairsville. You’ll discover a variety of historic places, popular attractions and scenic vistas. See Geocaching.com to learn more about hundreds of caches just waiting to be found. From mysteries to earth caches, multi-caches to events, you are sure to be introduced to some great memories along the way. You might even want to log a SummitCheeseburger from high atop Pine Mountain.

For information on guided hikes, bike rides, walks and runs see Events. Looking for a leisurely walking trail? Try our Sports Parks for neighborhood paths and waterside walks.