THE PINE MOUNTAIN TRAIL: This well-maintained trail is rated one of the best trail systems in Georgia. It was built and is maintained by the Pine Mountain Trail Association, and is designed for maximum enjoyment of both the day hiker and the overnight backpacker. Main trail (23 miles) and loop connectors (20 miles) total over 43 miles of hiking trails. Click here for availability of maps. The main trail is marked in BLUE blazes, connectors in WHITE and the Mountain Creek Trail has RED blazes. Wooden signs mark all connector loops and crossings, campsites and parking lots.

DAY HIKES: There are seven loops along the Pine Mountain Trail, all of which make good day hikes. Ask for information at the Park Information center or contact the PMTA.

1. OVERLOOK LOOP: (3.4 miles) This loop is formed with the 2.1 mile Chestnut Oak Trail and 1.3 miles of the main PMT. You may begin at the Gardens Overlook Parking Area on Hwy 190, or at the beginning of the trail and park at the area across from Callaway Country Store.

2. MOUNTAIN CREEK NATURE TRAIL: (3.2 miles) This RED blazed loop trail starts at the Trading Post in main RV camping area near Lake Delano. Though less strenuous, it is also one of the prettiest as it passes through several plant habitats. A trail guide is available near the Trading Post and can be downloaded here. This is a Word document designed to be printed on 11X14 paper.

3. LONGLEAF LOOP: (6.9 miles) This loop has the most trail connections and a map is highly recommended for hiking this loop. There are six highway crossings and one on the campground road for a total of seven paved road crossings. Also it has at least five trail connections that you must make. Most hikers use the Park Office or Fox Den Cove Parking Lot as a starting point for hiking this loop.

4. BIG POPLAR LOOP: (7.8 miles) This is the longest loop and is named for the large poplar tree located close to the ten-mile marker. It is formed with the 2.7 mile Sawtooth Trail and 5.1 miles of the main Pine Mountain Trail. It also has a number of rock formations and springs and creeks to cross. It has two entry points on Highway 190, one at mile six at the Fox Den Cove parking area and the other near mile eleven at the Mollyhugger Hill parking area.

5. DOWDELL KNOB LOOP: (4.3 mile) This loop is formed with the 1.3 mile Boot Top Trail and 3 miles of the main Pine Mountain Trail.  It can best be accessed by parking at the Dowdell Knob parking area (which is 1.3 miles off Ga 190). The main trail (blue blazed) goes by here.  If you go west  about a mile or to the east about 2 miles you connect to the Boot Top Trail (white blazes) for some 1.3 miles. Hiking in either direction will bring you back to the parking lot at Dowdell Knob. The Boot Top trail crosses the road leading to Dowdell Knob. NOTE: The gate off HWY 190 closes 5:00 PM October -March 31 and at 8:00 PM April 1 to September 31.  A trail guide is available at the Dowdell Knob Trailhead and can be downloaded here. This is a Word document designed to be printed on 11X14 paper.

6. WOLF DEN LOOP: (6.7 miles) This is considered one of the most beautiful stretches of trail in the Southeast and is the most popular section of trail. The loop is formed with the 1.7 mile  Beaver Pond Trail and 5 miles of the main PMT.  There are two entry points to this loop. One is at the parking lot near the WJSP-TV tower on Alt US 85w just north of Ga. 190 and the other is at the mile 18 crossing on Ga. 190 at Rocky Point Parking Lot.

7. EAST END LOOP  (3.4 miles) Our newest loop was opened  December 9, 2006.  The main portion of the loop is the new 2.4 mile White Candle Trail which runs along the south side of GA 190 on the eastern end of FDR State Park and connects with the Beaver Pond Trail to form a loop. There are three places one can park to hike this loop, but we suggest the two paved named areas. One is at the Rocky Point Parking Lot near mile 18  (park here and hike from the PMT and Beaver Pond Trail intersection east on the Beaver Pond trail just about .3 mile to the intersection with the White Candle Trail).  From this point you can hike in either direction.  You can also park at the WJSP-TV Tower Parking area and follow the PMT to the Beaver Pond Trail and then .2 mile along the Beaver Pond Trail to the White Candle Trail intersection.  The third place to park is on Ga 190 where the Beaver Pond Trail crosses Ga. 190. This crossing is about ½ mile east of Rocky Point Parking Lot.

For information on the PINE MOUNTAIN TRAIL:

Maps can be ordered from the PMTA. Send $3.00 and a stamped self-addressed envelope to our PO Box.

TIPS FOR HIKING and CAMPING

Suggestions: map and compass, small flashlight, whistle, bath tissue and wipes, small first aid kit, jacket and poncho, cell phone.

For more information on backcountry camping, click on this link: BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING.

If you have children, click on this link. HIKING WITH KIDS.

Emergency contacts: