Allatoona Lake offers 11 hiking trails with a variety of difficulties and themes.  Trails are located at various areas around the lake.  There are approximately 20 miles of trail offered to you on land operated or leased by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

Not all hiking trails around Allatoona Lake are managed by the Corps.  Many of them are maintained and managed by Red Top Mountain State Park, Cherokee County Recreation Authority, the Boy Scouts of America and special interest groups.  These trails can be hiked free of charge although a parking fee may apply at certain areas.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites you and your family to come visit our trails and enjoy the beautiful outdoors at Allatoona Lake. 

Please remember, while visiting our parks and trails, take only pictures and leave only footprints.  The trails at Allatoona Lake listed below are for hiking only.  Please visit our Biking Trails page for information on biking trails on Allatoona Lake.

US Army Corps of Engineers Trails

-Map-

Cooper Branch Trail - Length: .3 mile     Difficulty: Easy     Blaze Color: Light Blue    Trailhead locations (2):  In Cooper Branch #1 Day Use & Cooper Branch #2 Day Use Areas.

The Cooper Branch Trail is a short connector trail that offers the hiker scenic views of Allatoona Lake.  There are some bluebird boxes and down trees which is an excellent habitat for wildlife.  If you look closely, and you are very quiet, you might see bluebirds and other wildlife while walking the trail.  This trail consists of few moderate hills and the forest has mixed pine and hardwoods.

Pine Mountain/Cooper's Furnace Connector Trail                                                 Length: .3 miles     difficulty: Easy

This trail is a recently constructed connector trail between Coopers Furnace Trail and the City of Cartersville Pine Mountain Trail.

Laurel Ridge Trail - Length: .7 mile           Difficulty: Easy       Blaze Color: Black

Trailhead locations (2): Entrance road leading to the Allatoona Lake Operations Project Management Office and on the service road behind the office, there are signs pointing the way.

The Laurel Ridge Trail crosses the slopes of a mixed pine and hardwood covered ridge overlooking the Etowah River Valley.  These slopes are graced by a variety of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.  Wildlife and breathtaking blue ridge vistas are common to this trail.

Cooper's Furnace Trail – Length: 2 miles      difficulty: Easy   Blaze Color: Green

Trailhead locations (2): Cooper's Furnace Day Use Area and across from Cooper Branch #2 Day Use Area.

The Cooper's Furnace Trail follows the route of a 19^th Century mining railroad bed through a mixed pine and hardwood forest.  The forest has a rich variety of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and an abundance of wildlife.  Beaver and a muskrat inhabit the pond at the end of the trail.    A new section follows the railroad bed and crosses the road and follows the river back up to the furnace.  This section also has a nice overlook above the Cooper's Furnace.                                              

Vineyard Mountain Eagle Scout Trails

Trailhead locations (2): Riverside Day Use Park and Red Top Mountain Road at the Bethany Bridge pulloff.

Blue Trail – Length: .25 mile            Difficulty: Intermediate         Blaze Color: Blue   Red Trail – Length: .7 mile               Difficulty: Advanced             Blaze Color: Red     Yellow Trail – Length: 2.8 miles       Difficulty: Intermediate        Blaze Color: Yellow      

 The Vineyard Mountain Eagle Scout Trail traverses the forested slopes of Vineyard Mountain.  From its lofty vantage points, hikers are provided beautiful vistas of the Etowah River Valley, Allatoona Dam, the Cooper's Furnace historic area and Allatoona Lake.  During springtime, the bloom of dogwood, native azalea, mountain laurel, and redbud grace the pathway.  Autumn brings forth the brilliant hues of the leaf color change.  Wildlife which may be encountered includes deer, turkey, fox, bobcat, squirrel, and rabbit.  Birds frequently seen are hawks, blue jays, songbirds, and crows.  Occasionally, a bald eagle may even be spotted along the river.

For more information and directions to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers trails, please call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Allatoona Lake Operations Project Management Office at 678-721-6700.

Red Top Mountain State Park Trails

-Trail Map -

Homestead Trail – Length: 5 ½ miles   Difficulty: Moderate     Blaze Color: Yellow     This trail begins at the front porch of the park Visitor Center, turns north for one mile, crosses Lodge Road and then makes a 3 ½ mile loop through some of the most beautiful areas of the park.  The loop portion follows the lakeshore for approximately half its length.  Completion of the loop brings the hiker back to the same one-mile route to the front porch.  This trail is named after one of the several homesteads which were once located in the loop portion.

Sweetgum Trail – Length: 3.5 miles    Difficulty: Moderate       Blaze Color: Red        This trail begins at the Visitor Center parking area and also follows a route north. After ½ mile the trail then makes a loop through the Lodge area of the park and then back to the ½ mile section for a return to the Visitors Center.  The loop section of the Sweetgum Trail offers self-guided interpretive stops.  Brochures for the self-guided walk are available at the Visitor Center, Resource Office, or Lodge.

Whitetail Trail – Length: 1 mile             Difficulty: Moderate      Blaze Color: White  This trail begins at the Lodge parking area and shares a trailhead with the Sweetgum Trail loop.  The Whitetail Trail then turns off the Sweetgum Trail loop and runs north to the end of a scenic point at the edge of Allatoona Lake.

Lakeside Trail - Length: .75 mile           Difficulty: Easy             Blaze Color: Black This short paved trail starts at the Lodge parking lot and makes a loop behind the lodge on the shore of Allatoona Lake.  This trail is ADA accessible for the entire length.  A focal point is the 1869 Vaughn cabin located right along the trail.  Visitors enjoy special programs held at the cabin as well as relaxing on the benches along the trail and shoreline.

Visitor Center Loop – Length: .75 miles  Difficulty: Moderate    Blaze Color: Green This beautiful trail begins one hundred yards down the beginning of the Sweetgum Trail from the Visitor Center parking area.  The Sweetgum Trail will bear a sharp left and the Visitor Center Loop will bear a sharp right.  Shaded hardwood forest, a small spring-fed stream, and two viewing/ relaxation platforms can be enjoyed.

Iron Hill Trail - Length: 3.9 mile loop   Difficulty: Moderate        Blaze Clor:  Blue   The parking lot for this trail is located of Red Top Mountain Road, on the right a half mile past the campground.  It is a graveled trail that is accessible to both hikers and bicycles.  From the parking lot, follow the directional signs to the trailhead.  This scenic trail is a loop that winds along the banks of the lake through a historic area that was once home to an active iron mining community in the mid 1800's.  Along the way you have the opportunity to observe both native wildlife and a profusion of native plants.

Allatoona Pass Civil War Interpretation Trail – Length: 1.25 mile  Difficulty: Easy Trailhead location (1): Allatoona Pass Battlefield, 2 miles north of I-75 off Old Allatoona Rd.                                                                                                          This trail starts out on the old Western & Atlantic railroad bed, which is the railroad that ran through the pass during the Civil War.   The trail turns right on to a section of the Old Tennessee Road and is very well marked.  Please take the time to stop and read the interpretive signs.  These signs will help you get a sense of the bloody battle that took place here in October of 1864.  The trail winds atop the Oak-Pine ridges as well as around and through the earthen works of a battle fought long ago.  These earthen works are very old, dating to 1864 and extremely important to the history of the area.  Please be respectful of them so that they will be enjoyed well in to the future.

For more information and directions to Red Top Mountain State Park trails, please call the Red Top Mountain State Park Office at 770-975-0055.

 Boling Park: Canton, GA. 

Trail Map

Etowah Trail –  Length: 12 miles               Difficulty: Moderate                                   This trail is managed and maintained by the City of Canton and BSA Troop 241.  This is a hiking trail only, mountain bikes and ORV’s are not permitted.  The Etowah Trail is approximately 12 miles long, including several side loops. This trail actually starts in the Rock Creek Estates Subdivision, with a connecting trail to Boling Park.  The trail descends gradually along forest roads down to a ridge until reaching the Etowah River.  At the river, the trail makes a sharp right turn onto the abandoned Canton-Sutalle roadway, which parallels the river.  The closeness to the river, combined with the steep adjacent terrain, makes this one of the most interesting portions of the trail.  Leaving the river, the trail follows to the right of the roadbed cut, and climbs gently until intersecting with a dirt road. The trail crosses the road, and braids its way through several valleys and ridge tops before making its final destination at New Hightower Church. Plants and wildlife are in abundance along this trail.  Remaining quiet and keeping a watchful eye should help you obtain the natural experience you seek. 

For more information and directions to Boling Park trails, please call the City of Canton Parks and Recreation Division at  770-720-7184 or check the BSA Troop 241 website Etowah Trail.

City of Acworth Trails

Lake Acworth Trail - Length: .9 miles Difficulty: Easy

The Lake Acworth Trail is a .9-mile trail that is located on the northern shore of Lake Acworth. The trail is currently located near downtown Acworth, between Collins Circle and Winn Street. The walking trail includes two pedestrian bridges, with access to sidewalks linking downtown and adjacent neighborhoods. The trail is proposed to encircle Lake Acworth, with a 4.5-mile extension of the multi-use path.

For more information and directions to Lake Acworth Trail, please call the City of Acworth Parks and Recreation Department at  770-917-1234.

Area trails not located on US Army Corps of Engineers lands  

Cartersville Parks and Recreation  

Pine Mountain Trail Map

Pine Mountain Trail-  Total Length: 4.38 miles  Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous       Trailhead location: GA Highway Spur 20 near the Bartow Beach Rd turnoff. 

This is a City of Cartersville trail open 7 days a week for hiking; mountain bike usage only on Wednesday & Saturdays. Bikes must follow directional sign on those days. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS.                                                                        There are several loops for hikers with 6 different blaze colors.                              Mountain Bike schedule:  Wednesdays (orange route)  Saturdays (blue route)            Mountain Bikers must wear helmets.   

New!! A connector trail between the City of Cartersville's Pine Mountain Trail with the US Army Corps of Engineers Cooper's Furnace Trail has been completed.

For more information and directions to Pine Mountain trail, please call the Cartersville Parks and Recreation Department at 770-387-5626.

OTHER LINKS:

Etowah Valley Trails and Events Guide

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You are visitor number since January 5, 2007

FOR YOUR SAFETY

Please observe the following safety tips:

•  Do not leave children unsupervised
• Be careful when walking the trail.  Watch your step and stay away from cliffs.  Be aware that poisonous snakes and stinging insects may be encountered.
•  Enjoy wildlife and plant life only by looking at it. Take only memories and leave only footprints.
•  Please carry out all trash and litter.
•  Area near DAM restricted due to security concerns.  Please do not enter.