Stone Mountain Walk Up and Cherokee Trail Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail encompasses all of Stone Mountain's most interesting and unique features. After summiting the mountain by way of the Walk-Up Trail and taking in miles of views from the top, use the Cherokee Trail to circle the mountain's base and its historic past.

Daily Parking Pass: $15, Annual Parking Pass: $40
Use caution during wet conditions, the rock surfaces of the Walk-Up Trail can be extremely slippery.

The Walk-Up Trail starts off with gradual inclines at the Confederate Hall parking lot and becomes steeper as you hike higher toward the top of Stone Mountain. There are several areas with grades steeper than 20%, but there are metal hand rails to assist with the steeper grades. There are many roots and small boulders that form stepping stones up and down the trail. The trail passes by many stone carvings, some dating back to the 1800s. At the top of the mountain, there are trash/recycling cans, restrooms, refreshments, lookout decks, and a lift that goes up/down the mountain.

As you make your way back down the Walk-Up Trail, it intersects with the Cherokee Trail in roughly a north/south direction. The Cherokee Trail is blazed with white markers and all intersections with other trails are well marked. This trail makes its way north and then turns to the east as it follows the base of the mountain toward the Confederate Memorial Carving viewing area at the front. Heading toward the east side of the mountain, there is a working spring house and grist mill and beyond that, a covered bridge. On the far side, the trail comes to a fork where the Cherokee Trail turns to the left to cross over Venable Lake, and the Connector Trail (orange blazes) turns to the right.

The Connector Trail follows along the north side of Venable Lake and continues on to cross Stonewall Jackson Drive. It follows alongside Robert E. Lee Boulevard for a short period before picking up again on the right side of the road, and continuing in a northwest direction. At this section, the Cherokee Trail, Connector Trail, and Stone Mountain State Park Loop have merged into a singletrack. This section also runs quite closely to the railroad tracks and the train can be seen passing periodically.

Eventually, the Cherokee Trail veers to the right as it starts to move back up the mountainside. The Connector Trail/Stone Mountain State Park Loop continues northwest to pass over the foot of the mountain and completes the entire loop back at the Confederate Hall parking lot. During this section of the trail there is also a smaller loop, the Nature Garden Trail (green blazes), that branches off from the main trail and then brings you back to the Connector Trail/Stone Mountain State Park Loop after 0.8 miles.

Squirrels, Hawks, Diamorpha, Azaleas, Bluegill, Bass

* Stone carvings throughout the Walk-Up Trail, some dating back to the 1800s, made by quarry workers and residents.

* Chimney flues still standing from old homes and lodges.

* The working Spring House built by the Venable brothers contracting company.