Here at Resurgens, we know that staying active isn't always the easiest thing to do, especially if you have suffered a relatively recent injury. However, if you happen to be in good health, one of the best things that you can do for your body is exercise. While some forms of exercise are more strenuous and difficult than others, there is one that can certainly help bring a little fresh air to your routine.
Hiking is one of the most fun forms of exercise year round, however, no time of year is it more beautiful outside than the month of April. It's much easier to keep up a consistent and healthy exercise routine when you're surrounded by the pastel pinks, whites, and vibrant greens of springtime, and the weather is typically nice and warm as well. However, one of the most important parts of being active in this format is knowing the best spots nearest to yourself; here are seven of the best hiking spots relatively close to Atlanta.
Kennesaw Mountain
Kennesaw Mountain is a stunning, tall monadnock which provides an outstanding summit view of the surrounding Cobb County area. The trail to the peak is just over two miles, and is relatively moderate for a montane, out-and-back hike. You could even go further and continue on the trail towards Little Kennesaw, if you're wanting a longer hike. If you're looking for beautiful views, but don't want to stray too far from the suburbs, this is the trail for you.
Little Mulberry Park
Situated in northern Gwinnett county is the beautiful Little Mulberry Park. This relatively flat & surprisingly robust tract of hardwood forest has just about anything you could want out of a simple, lowland natural area. The north end of the park is the most popular, featuring a brisk walking loop around Miller Lake, where you can spot turtles basking and ducks crossing. However, don't miss out on the southern end of the park, where you can explore vast, open meadows and miles-worth of gorgeous woodland trails.
Arabia Mountain
Don't worry East-side, you've got a short & moderate montane hike of your own! Arabia Mountain lies just east of Atlanta, boasting sprawling granite rock outcrops and mixed pine forests that will leave you speechless. Natural granite outcrop is a rare sight near Atlanta nowadays due to persistent development, so take advantage of this stunning hike while we still have it.
Sweetwater Creek State Park
Just over a twenty minute drive west of the city is the charming & shockingly peaceful Sweetwater Creek State Park, whose primary attraction lies right there in the name. A short hike through upland, deciduous forests will take you straight to the banks of the alluring Sweetwater Creek, which is a breathtaking, flowing stretch of water that serves as the ideal place for a picnic with a view. If you want to stick close to the city, this is the hike for you!
Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
Speaking of sticking close to the city, here's an option that is quite literally within the boundaries of the city of Atlanta. Showcasing mossy rocks and a delightfully-beautiful waterfall, Cascade Springs is a surprisingly gorgeous tract of forest for its location. While it is relatively small in comparison to others on this list, this park serves as a great spot to bring the family and enjoy a day out in nature, while still getting those steps in.
Red Top Mountain State Park
This popular Lake Allatoona-based park is situated northwest of Atlanta near Cartersville, and provides a beautiful lakeside walk through the woods where you can spot all sorts of wildlife enjoying the sun and water. While this park is primarily known for its lake access, it also boasts some truly stunning woodland scenery that you shouldn't miss out on. The trails are relatively easy, kid-friendly, and teeming with biodiversity that isn't often seen in the Atlanta Metropolitan area.
Tallulah Gorge State Park
Okay, I know; calling this one "near Atlanta" is a bit of a stretch. However, there is a reason why this is one of Georgia's most iconic state parks. You simply cannot make a north Georgia hiking spots list without including the absolutely magnificent Tallulah Gorge State Park. The overlooks at this park are simply the best views that the state of Georgia has to offer, giving you the chance to safely stand atop a cliff face overlooking the gorgeous Tugaloo River thousands of feet below. For being over 2,000 feet in elevation, the hike to the overlook is fairly easy and pain-free, giving you one of the best bang-for-your-buck hikes that you can get in Georgia. If you want to see one of the best views in the southeast, and don't mind driving the hour and a half from the city, you should absolutely put this iconic park on your bucket list.
While narrowing down a vast expanse of great hiking spots to just seven is very difficult, we hope that we provided a few new additions to your list. Springtime is one of the best times to be outside, and there is no more-entertaining way to stay active than a beautiful hike through nature. Exercising is to the human body what engine oil is to a car; you should always try to stay as active as possible. Remember to watch your step, stretch, and take it all in - get out there and go for a hike before it gets too hot!