I'm an avid hiker, and I love that Atlanta has great hikes less than 1-2 hours from the city. A recent favorite and quick-to-access hiking spot has been Arabia Mountain, located just 30 minutes east of downtown Atlanta. I've partnered up with Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area to share their Leave No Trace Campaign - with how special the site is, it's especially important to keep an eye where you walk while visiting to preserve the mountain and it's surrounding park as much as possible. Read on for more about Arabia and how you can safely visit while preserving the park!
Arabia is unique to the area for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, Arabia is home to many rare and endangered plants, some of which are found almost nowhere else on earth! Many species live within small pools along the surface of the granite paths, referred to as "solution pits," providing lots of interesting stops to admire the ecosystem along your hike.
When visiting Arabia, make sure to stay on the bare granite surfaces to help Preserve the Park! Avoid standing on any sand or vegetation, as that can disrupt the natural ecosystem of the park. Remember to Stay on the Grey!
The park also offers different hiking and walking paths, depending on the level of difficulty and type of setting you're looking for. Dogs are welcome too, so you can pick a path best for you and your pup. Just make sure to keep them leashed and away from vegetation as well!
You can head directly to the hiking path to Arabia Mountain for an uphill trek, leading to panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and even Atlanta city views on clear days! This hike will take about 20-30 minutes.
If you prefer a mix of scenery, head to the Rock Outcrop and Forest Trails (these connect so you can explore them both). Along the way you'll find a lake, small streams, and more varied terrain. These trails are also more flat, so they're best for a more leisurely pace.
Click here for a map of the available trails, including difficulty level, highlights, and mileage.
You can learn more about Arabia Mountain, including tips on how to Leave No Trace while visiting, here! There's also a great video with an Arabia park ranger to teach you about the importance of preserving the area's natural vegetation.