Explore Top Hiking Trails Close to Home

The American Hiking Society celebrates the first day of June each year as “National Trails Day,” inspiring people to hike, clean up a trail, and volunteer for trail-service projects.

Even though June 1 has already passed, hiking trails close to home offer a fantastic opportunity for active adults to get outdoors anytime they like. Best of all, hiking is a wonderful activity for all ages. It’s a great way for grandparents to spend time with their grandchildren during summer break, and for pet owners to enjoy some exercise with their dogs (make sure to check trail websites before bringing pets— all of the trails listed here are dog-friendly).

With so many local trails to choose from, here are a few with unique features:

Sope Creek Paper Mill Ruins Trail 

Nestled within the Chattahoochee River park system, this trail is located behind a neighborhood on Brook Hollow Circle in Marietta. It’s a favorite among suburban trails, being fairly easy to navigate for most fitness levels. This 1.5-mile loop trail runs along Sope Creek, offering views of the historic Civil War-era Sope Creek paper mill.

Silver Comet Trail

Starting at the Mavell Road Trailhead in Smyrna, the Silver Comet Trail stretches 61.5 miles along an old railroad line to Cedartown, near the Georgia-Alabama state line. This pet-friendly trail welcomes walkers, hikers, joggers, bikers, and non-motorized recreational vehicles.

Wildwood Park 

Adjacent to Life University in Marietta, this expansive 28+ acre park boasts 2 ½ miles of walking/hiking trails and includes an off-leash dog park.

Heritage Park 

This 105-acre nature preserve in Smyrna features a 1.7-mile soft surface trail loop (not suitable for biking or vehicles), with elevated boardwalks over sections of wetlands. The park also offers views of Nickajack Creek and the historic Concord Woolen Mill ruins.

Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park 

Open daily during daylight hours (except for certain holidays), Kennesaw Mountain offers walking/hiking trails that range from moderately challenging to difficult due to elevation changes. Loop trails vary from two to sixteen miles.

The American Hiking Society encourages trail users to leave a trail better than they found it. Adhere to the principle: “take only pictures; leave only footprints.”

Walking and hiking are highly recommended forms of exercise for active adults by medical professionals. Regular participation enhances cardio-respiratory fitness, muscle tone, body weight, and physical strength while reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Each Windsong community is conveniently located near these and other notable trails in Georgia, providing excellent opportunities to stay active and build connections with neighbors who share a passion for fitness and the outdoors.

For more information on trails in and around Atlanta or the state visit https://www.atlantatrails.com/.