When the weather is nice (that is not a downpour of rain) we are often hiking throughout Georgia looking for treasure.  Treasure is often a quite place away from the city, TV, school, cars and everyday craziness, where we can all enjoy a picnic (food is big with us – usually a good grinder, water, granola bars, trail mix with snacks along the way are what fuel us), pull out our books (all of us love to read) and enjoy the day together.  In this way, with our books, the hike can be tracking down a clue in a Trixie Belden or Encyclopedia Brown mystery (which is what the kids like to read) or it can be a noble expedition in one of Sharon Kay Penman’s novels, or for myself an escape back to Narnia. 

We have hiked trails throughout Georgia. Some of our favorites hikes are; the Dauset Trails Nature Center in Jackson, GA, Amicalola Scenic Hiking and Wildlife Trail in the Dawson Forest, Stone Mountain Trails and High Falls State park.

Dauset Trails Nature Center is a private, non-profit (donations are appreciated) outdoor area where families can hike while enjoying the flora around There are many different animals there as well and families can become educated on various animals that have been rescued and are non-releasable.  The animals that are part of the walking trail are reptiles, birds of prey, amphibians, and a wide variety of mammals.  Besides classes that are given on Dendrology families can also learn the skill of orienteering with classes on pace count and the use of a compass.

The Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve offers several different, well maintained paths.  At the first site that you come to (traveling in from Interstate 20) you can enjoy several different paved paths which wind through Dekalb County.  The paths are well marked with signs that tell the distance of the hike that you are taking.  There are several cut-through and cut-backs if you have gone further than you intended.  The path to the west takes you on a hike across a wooded boardwalk to a path along a granite rock area.  This leads down into the woods to a nice little pond where you can look for fish and turtles.  But be warned there is poison ivy everywhere and if you are susceptible you may want to bring some poison ivy soap and wash up at the visitor center before you leave.

The Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve has a wonderful 15 minute hike to the top of the mountain.  At the top you can look over Dekalb County and parts of Atlanta.  The path is well marked with stone "cairns" along the way.

Amicalola Scenic Hiking and Wildlife Trail in the Dawson Forest is a great place to get away.  The trail is well maintained through efforts of the Department of Natural Resources and the Boys Scouts.  Getting down to the trail from the parking area is the only steep, rocky point of the trail.  Once you are on the trail you can walk along the Amicalola River while visiting with turtles, birds of all different kinds, squirrels and the occasional snake.  At the end of the easily navigated trail is the “Edge of the World” swimming hole.  At the Edge of the World, the cool waters are refreshing for a quick dip or a tube ride down through the series of small waterfalls.

Stone Mountain offers a myriad of different and diverse trails.  Many are of historical significance and as they are well traveled they are generally clear of brush and other obstructions.  The variety allows the hiker to choose from different levels of difficulty, scenery and distances that is great if you only have a couple of hours to get away or if the family is just starting to enjoy hiking. 

High Falls State Park similar to Stone Mountain offers many different hiking options.  The park has a couple of well-marked nature trails that generally take you along the Towaliga River.  There are other less traveled trails that have been cut through the woods by the feet of many explorers camping, fishing and bird gazing in the area.  The staff at the High Falls visitor center is very friendly and can help to point you in the direction that you want to go.