Hikes below provided by previous Assistant Scoutmaster and long-time hiker Albert Bodamer. As always, before proceeding on any of these hikes google around to find any additional (and possibly more current) information and maps. Enjoy and happy hiking!


Central Georgia

Pine Mountain Trail. A 23-mile main trail and connecting loops that crosses and follows the beautiful Pine Mountain ridge in west central Georgia inside the Franklin Delano Roosevelt State Park near Pine Mountain. 16 Backcountry sites available for reservation.


Loop Hikes (*** Hiking Merit Badge Hikes)

Betty Gap Loop. A 12 mile loop in the Cohutta Wilderness area.

Big Scaly Mountain Loop ***. A scenic 10 mile loop that originates near Tate City, NC.

Blood Mountain Loop. A moderate 6 mile day hike beginning at Byron Reece Trailhead, just north of Neels Gap, up the AT to Blood Mountain Summit and returning via the Freeman Trail at Bird Gap, Overnight opportunities at Woods Hole Shelter or Slaughter Gap. (Also in Vogel SP Trails map).

Coosa Backcountry Trail Loop ***. A difficult 12.9 mile hike that originates and ends in Vogel State Park (Vogel SP Trails).

Kennesaw Mountain-Cheatham Hill Loop ***. A moderately difficult 10 mile hike through historic Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.

Panther Creek Falls Loop. A 16.9 mile hike in the Cohutta Wilderness. I recommend following this hike in the opposite (clockwise) direction to save the stream crossings for Day 2.

Springer Mountain Double Loop ***. A moderate 10 mile hike that originates at the Springer Mountain Trailhead and takes advantage of the intertwining AT and Benton MacKaye Trail as you hike to Three Forks and Back. Be sure to walk the 0.9 miles to the Top of Springer Mountain, which is the beginning (mile 0.0) of the AT. This hike can be reduced to about 8 miles by eliminating the Benton MacKaye Loop that circles the Forest Service Road.

Standing Indian 11 Mile Loop via Kimsey Creek Trail ***. A difficult 11 mile hike that rewards your efforts with fantastic views from the summit of Standing Indian Mountain.

Standing Indian 10 Mile Loop via Beech Creek Trail ***. From Tate City, hike the Beech Creek Trail and then bushwhack to the Summit of Standing Indian Mountain. Loop Back via Deep Gap.

Standing Indian 24 Mile Loop. This is a good 3-4 day Philmont prep hike that takes you to the summits of Standing Indian and Albert Mountains along the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina.


Appalachian Trail in Georgia

Appalachian Trail, Approach. The Approach Trail from the Top of Falls parking lot in Amacalola Falls State Park

Appalachian Trail, Section 1A. The AT from Springer Mtn to Hightower Gap

Appalachian Trail, Section 1B. The AT Hightower Gap to Woody Gap

Appalachian Trail, Section 2. The AT from Woody Gap to Neels Gap

Appalachian Trail, Section 3. The AT from Neels Gap to Hogpen Gap

Appalachian Trail, Section 4. The AT from Hogpen Gap to Unicoi Gap

Appalachian Trail, Section 5. The AT from Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap


Bartram Trail

Bartram Trail, Overview. An overview of the Bartram National Heritage Trail in Georgia

Bartram Trail, Section 1. The Bartram Trail from Hale Ridge Road to Wilson Gap

Bartram Trail, Section 2. The Bartram Trail from Wilson Gap to Warwoman Dell.


Benton MacKaye Trail

Benton MacKaye Trail, Section 1: Map | Description | Profile. Springer Mountain to Three Forks

Benton MacKaye Trail, Section 2: Map | Description | Profile. Three Forks to the Toccoa River. Younger Scouts hike from Route 60 to Toccoa.

Benton MacKaye Trail, Section 3: Map | Description | Profile. Toccoa River to Skeenah Gap

Benton MacKaye Trail, Section 4: Map | Description | Profile. Skeenah Gap to Shallow Ford Bridge

Benton MacKaye Trail, Section 5: Map | Description | Profile. Shallow Ford Bridge to Scroggin Knob

Benton MacKaye Trail, Section 6: Map | Description | Profile. Scroggin Knob to Boardtown Road

Benton MacKaye Trail, Section 7: Map | Description | Profile. Boardtown Road to Fowler Mountain

Benton MacKaye Trail, Section 8: Map | Description | Profile. Fowler Mountain to Dyer Gap

Benton MacKaye Trail, Section 9: Map | Description | Profile. Dyer Gap to Watson Gap

Benton MacKaye Trail, Section 10: Map | Description | Profile. Watson Gap to Double Springs Gap


Foothills Trail

Foothills Trail, Section 1. Oconee State Park to Jumping Branch Trailhead

Foothills Trail, Section 2. Jumping Branch to Burrells Ford Rd

Foothills Trail, Section 3. Burrells Ford to Fish Hatchery Rd

Foothills Trail, Section 4. Fish Hatchery Road to Stone Bridge

Foothills Trail, Section 5. Stone Bridge to Whitewater Falls

Foothills Trail, Section 6. Whitewater Falls to Horsepasture River

Foothills Trail, Section 7. Horsepasture River to Toxaway River

Foothills Trail, Section 8. Toxaway River to Laurel Fork Falls

Foothills Trail, Section 9. Laurel Fork Falls to Laurel Valley

Foothills Trail, Section 10. Laurel Valley to Sasafras Mountain

Foothills Trail, Section 11. Sasafras Mountain to Table Rock State Park (Eastern terminous)


Atlanta Area

Jones Bridge Trail. National Park Service map of trail in Chattahoochee Recreation Area. This is an excellent, nearby place to “get your legs” with this 6.5 mile loop.

Kennesaw Mountain Loops. Trails in the park.


North Central Georgia

Chestnut Lead Trail. Easiest of the Conasauga lead in trails.

Conasauga River Trail. Moderate 13 mile trail that parallels the Conasauga River.

East Cowpen Trail. The main vein of the Cohutta Wilderness Area.

Hickory Creek Trail. A long trail in the Cohuttas that crosses the Conasauga River.

Horseshoe Bend Trail. A nice trail that passes Horseshoe Bend Overlook on its way to the Jacks River Trail.

Old Growth Forest Trail. A short, but awe-inspiring trek into the Cooper Creek area .

Panther Creek Trail (Cohutta Wilderness Area). Not to be confused with the Panther Creek Trail near Tallulah Falls.

Tearbritches Trail. Steep Conasauga lead in trail that crosses Bald Mountain.


Northeast Georgia

Blood Mountain Cove. Nice trail with two waterfalls.

Camp Creek Trail. Short trail with campsite near the Chattooga.

Coleman River Trail. Highly scenic trail that follows Coleman river upstream.

Dukes Creek Falls. Partially wheelchair accessible trail to Dukes Creek Falls.

East Fork Trail. Starts in the Walhalla Fish Hatchery parking lot.

Holcomb Creek Trail. Trail to two waterfalls.

Horse Trough Falls. A short, easy trail to the falls.

James E. Edmunds Backcountry Trail. Nice backcountry trail with designated campsites.

Len Foote Hike Inn Trail. Access Trail to the the popular Len Foot Hike Inn in Amicalola State Park.

Logan Turnpike Trail. Nice, quiet trail that makes you work for the end.

Panther Creek Falls Trail. Popular trail leading to some nice falls.

Raven Cliffs Trail. Overused trail to some popular cliffs near Helen.

Tennessee Rock Trail. Nice backcountry trail that goes over Tennessee Rock Overlook.

Three Forks Trail. Popular trail that crosses the west fork of the Chattooga.

Warwoman Dell Nature Trail. Short loop trail with a small waterfall.


Northwest Georgia

George W. Disney Memorial Trail. The George W. Disney Memorial Trail near Dalton.

Georgia Pinhoti – Section 11. The Georgia Pinhoti Trail from Dug Gap to Snake Creek Gap.

Pigeon Mountain. Smaller version of the 7.5′ series map. Includes the Pocket Area, Rocktown, High Point, and Harrisburg Gulf.

Pigeon Mountain (7.5′ series). Includes the Pocket Area, Rocktown, High Point, and Harrisburg Gulf.


South Georgia

Cumberland Island. Beautiful Island off the Georgia Coast.