For us, this means a place literally minutes away where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of life and buzz of electronics and turn your thoughts toward nature. Living in eastern Alpharetta, we were able to make the drive in about 20 minutes, so it's an excursion that works well with anyone's schedule.
There are three trail entrances to Sawnee Mountain:
- 4075 Spot Road, Cumming
- 2500 Bettis-Tribble Gap Road, Cumming
- 2505 Bettis-Tribble Gap Road, Cumming
We came in on the Spot Road location which is nearest to the visitor's center, rock climbing wall, and zip line and ropes course. The grounds are gorgeous, with picnic tables, a small pond where we saw turtles basking on a rock in the sun and fish swimming in the water, and a statue of Sawnee, a local leader in the Hickory Log District of the Cherokee Nation.
The trails are well-marked and easy to follow, but please remember that you are in the woods, so proper footwear is a necessity. Closed-toe shoes are a must due to the rocks, dirt, roots. and any other nature you'll surely encounter. If you have hiking boots, I highly recommend them, though tennis shoes would also be fine.
Our journey took us along the Indian Seats Trail, and we eagerly climbed our way to the top for breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Winding our way under the canopy of tall trees which provided a nice bit of shade, squirrels skittering about, and even a couple mating copperheads (yep, there's a reason I recommend hiking boots!), we made it to the overlook where we were able to take in an amazing view. There are large rocks along the top of the trail which, for those without a fear of heights, provide a place to sit and take in the scenery. For those that want a more rigid platform, there is a wooden deck with protective railings just a few steps further up the trail.
After several minutes of appreciating the view, snapping some photos, and rehydrating, we started our trek back down the mountain. The total distance is about 3.5 miles and it took us just shy of a couple of hours from start to finish. There are benches scattered about the trail if you need to take a rest during your hike.
For us, this was the perfect way to spend our afternoon. It was amazing exercise, and we were together as a family, away from the many distractions of being at home. We did see several other families and groups of varying ages while on our hike, so it is a one that most can do. Just make sure you take some snacks and water to calm any whiny participants along the way!
I'm looking forward to doing this hike again in the Fall when the leaves have changed colors. It's sure to be a breathtaking site from the top of the mountain.
If you haven't been, definitely add this hike to your family's to-do list. Make a day out of it and bring a picnic lunch to enjoy once you're done, or before you hit the trail, and if you're there on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, be sure to check out the other fun they have for kids 8 and up with their zip lines, ropes course and climbing wall! You can learn more about their programs and activities HERE.
Trail Hours:
November to February - 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.
March to October - 6 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
For more information about Sawnee Mountain Preserve, click here.
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