Recently, we’ve headed out to Georgia’s Red Top Mountain State Park to explore the various trails, enjoying the canopy and lake breezes while escaping the withering heat of the last days of summer and enjoying the changing colors of fall. We’re describing these outings as walks rather than hikes since we’re not quite sure where to draw the line between the two and we certainly don’t want to offend serious hikers – like those who trek the 2,200+ miles of the Appalachian Trail from the Georgia gateway at Amicalola State Park.
Regardless of the characterization, Red Top offers several trails featuring clear paths, consistent footing, mild elevation changes and some short inclines that will increase your heart rate if you’re an average American over age 40. The trails are well-traveled even on weekdays, and you generally maintain cell phone coverage, so even novice hikers can feel comfortable when heading out on an outing.
Choosing Your Route
Selecting your trail is easy, thanks to a trail map from the Georgia State Parks. Available online in advance or as a pamphlet at the park, the maps provide solid information about each trail, including an elevation guide. While these aren’t detailed hiking maps like you might need on technical trails, they provide enough information for the average walker out for a casual stroll.
For those who like shorter walks, three trails feature walks under one mile. The Visitor Center trail starts at the park visitor center, and circles for 0.75 miles through nearby woods and small hillsides. The Lakeside Trail also measures 0.75 miles and offers a fully ADA-accessible loop along the shores of Lake Allatoona. The White Tail trail is 0.5 miles one-way ending at a scenic point along the lake, which means your walk will total one mile when you return.
We like covering longer distances, thus prefer the 3.5-mile Iron Hill trail and the 5.5-mile Homestead Trail.
Iron Hill Trail: Share With Bikes
If shaded walks on flatter terrain with lots of water views sounds great, the Iron Hill Trail is a great bet. You’ll enjoy wide open or tree-framed views of Lake Allatoona over approximately half of the trail, with several opportunities to walk down to the shoreline if you wish. These sweeping, panoramic views are great year-round, whether you prefer blue water filled with boat and bathers or fall colors reflecting in smooth lake waters. The gravel-covered trail offers relatively easy footing, generally without ankle-challenging roots and ruts.
Both walkers and bicycles are permitted on the Iron Hill trail, which can present challenges and frustrations for both types of users. The number of bikers on the path swells on the weekends, so weekday walking is more bike-free than weekends.
Since I’m both an avid bicycle rider and walker, I’m not taking sides here. But I will say both types of users should be aware of, communicative with and courteous to the other. If you’re walking, keep to the right, and consider walking single file if you’re in a group. And if you hear someone yell out, “On your left,” just keep moving ahead and stay to the far right of the trail.
Check Out The Video on Hiking Iron Hill Trail
If you’re on a bike, be sure to call out clear warnings well in advance. Be prepared for that “deer-in-the-headlights” reaction that freezes many walkers smack in the middle of the path, or worse yet, the backward glance over the left shoulder accompanied by a few leftward meandering steps putting them precisely in the middle of your handlebars.
We particularly enjoy the Iron Hill trail in the fall, as the shore-hugging trail offers spectacular views of colorful hidden coves.
Homestead Trail: A Walk in the Woods
For a bike-free walk over more challenging terrain, the Homestead Trail is your best choice. Technically, this trail would qualify as a hike as it features elevation changes, a natural trail bed, requires adjustment of your stride to accommodate obstacles, and is best undertaken wearing ankle-protecting hiking boots or shoes.
Homestead Trail takes its name from several abandoned homesteader locations in the area, with some traces still visible along the loop portion of the trail near Lake Allatoona. Starting at the Visitor’s Center, you’ll walk about a mile through the native forest, often following a small stream that feeds the lake. Crossing Lodge Road, you’ll begin the loop portion on an undulating path which features several uphill sections gaining 75 to 150 feet of elevation over relatively short distances.
While the path generally is well traveled over tightly compacted soil, footing can be treacherous in spots. Natural drainage can create a few slippery wet sections even during dry season. Roots protrude at unpredictable spots, and also contribute to deep ruts cut by water running downhill during heavy rains. And limbs, trees and even leaves that hide uneven ground create unexpected trip hazards. Plus, while looking down, you’re likely to find some interesting ground creatures and plants that make for interesting – and literally overlooked – photo opportunities
Other Favorite Walks
All this writing about walking got us to thinking about others who write, sing or remind us about different types of walks. Here are some of our favorites:
A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson. One of my all-time favorite writers, and not just as a travel writer. This inspired and inspiring book recreates his hilarious path to and trek on the Appalachian Trail with a very interesting friend. Skip the movie – it’s horrible.
The Walk, Richard Paul Evans. Actually, a series of books which tell the ultimately-uplifting story of a man finding faith and friendship after overcoming death, depression and evil as he walks from the Pacific Northwest to South Florida.
A Good Walk Spoiled, John Feinstein. Back to the light side, one of my favorite sportswriters tells stories from the PGA tour. Published in 1995, it’s a bit dated now, but still great fun for us boomer types who remember golf before Tiger Woods.
Dead Man Walking. Growing up Catholic in Louisiana, we have special connections to this true story of a Roman Catholic nun who becomes the spiritual adviser to a convicted killer in the Louisiana State Prison. Susan Sarandon won an Oscar for her 1995 portrayal of Sister Prejean – but she’ll always be Annie Savoy in Bull Durham to me since I have her autograph on an original movie script.
Walking Tall. The original 1973 movie version and sequels, and not the 2004 remake. Yes, The Rock brought big-time wrestling cache to the remade story of Sheriff Buford Pusser, a professional wrestler-turned-lawman. But Joe Don Baker and his baseball bat are forever ingrained in my memory.
Walk This Way. This Aerosmith song is an all-time favorite and launched the band and lead singer Steven Tyler to prominence. Oddly, it also brought rap to the mainstream when Run-DMC covered it with the help of Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry. My special connection: Perry says the famous guitar riff was inspired by New Orleans funk group, The Meters – who played at my high school prom.
Take a Walk on the Wild Side. I’m still shocked that Lou Reed’s exquisite story telling about cross-dressers traveling to New York and becoming prostitutes was ever played on radio in the mid 1970s. Well, it was almost exclusively on FM – which is totally beyond the understanding of any post Baby Boomers.
Christopher Walken. Wonderful, weird and wacky, Walken’s myriad characters are found in legendary movies. And who doesn’t like a good Christopher Walken impression. Even with 100 movie credits, one of my favorite Walken film bits is a Saturday Night Live skit with Will Farrell and a cowbell.
Never done it, never will:
Walking Dead, the series. Nope. Ever since I saw the original “Night of the Living Dead,” zombies – along with clowns – are among my fears.
Moonwalking. Bad knees, no rhythm and profound clumsiness haunt me like zombies. And I prefer Thriller.
Walk a Straight Line. What, with my situational positional vertigo? Not a chance.
Updated: November 2020
Originally Published: October 2018
