Hiking Project Logo

A fairly wooded trail that winds around the perimeter of Sandy Creek Nature Center.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

2.6

Miles

4.1

KM

Loop

731' 223 m

High

619' 189 m

Low

254' 77 m

Up

253' 77 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Wildlife

Overview

This route is an excellent getaway from the city of Athens. Being only 2 or 3 miles from the UGA campus and downtown, it is just a short hike or drive for most people of the area. Expect relatively flat singletrack with almost no traffic. This route frequently follows sections of the North Oconee River, then increasing slightly in elevation to a path through moderately wooded areas.

Need to Know

These trails are extremely susceptible to flooding from the North Oconee River. If heavy rains have occurred in the past few days, this trail will need to dry out before it can be adequately useable again.

Description

This trail can be accessed from 4 or 5 different entrances since this particular route is connecting multiple trails. Look for trail signs near the parking lot, if parked in the Education & Visiting Center parking lot (free).

From the Education and Visitor parking lot, head to the Levee Trail, and continue counter-clockwise. Heading this direction will take you to the north, before meandering back around south, passing around Kingfisher Pond, and following the North Oconee River.

The higher elevation sections go through wooded pine areas, with the occasional dip down to the North Oconee River, where the trail follows along the river bank.

Shared By:

Blake Jarvis

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 3 votes

#2

in Athens

#4990

Overall
  3.0 from 3 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
100%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Athens

#94

in Georgia

#4,990

Overall
8 Views Last Month
895 Since Aug 24, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
25%
75%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Wetlands by the Sandy Creek Nature Center Loop
Feb 4, 2021 near Athens, GA
Beautiful - and surrealist - bench in the Sandy Creek Nature Loop
Feb 4, 2021 near Athens, GA
Fallen tree along the Oconee Trial
Aug 24, 2015 near Athens, GA
Beautiful singletrack in spring along the Oconee Trial
Aug 24, 2015 near Country…, GA
View of the Georgia Power Easement from the southern entrance of the park.
Aug 24, 2015 near Athens, GA
Sandy Creek Nature Center trail map
Aug 24, 2015 near Athens, GA

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.