Hiking Project Logo

A nice quick scenic loop; both good for beginners and novice trail runners.


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

2.5

Miles

4.0

KM

Lollipop

867' 264 m

High

844' 257 m

Low

59' 18 m

Up

60' 18 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

3%

Max Grade (2°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · Wildlife

See stonemountainpark.com for restrictions or holiday hours.
There is an entry fee to the park: $15/day or $40 for the yearly pass.

Overview

This loop is a decent 2.5 mile trip with the possibility to extend (loop twice) as time and energy permit. There is some mild footwork and obstacles to traverse as well as a decent amount of hills to increase the intensity. This loop is short enough to fit into an after-work routine. The hills along the Cherokee Trail side can make this loop challenging enough even for seasoned hikers. This is also a great beginners loop, which mixes both a short distance with changing terrain.
For viewing, there is Stone Mountain overshadowing the lake, a few small bridges to cross, and a small waterfall/creek around the 0.8 mile mark, as well as views of Venable Lake and Stone Mountain Lake.

Description

This loop utilizes part of the Cherokee Trail (blazed white) and Lake Connector trail (blazed orange) to create a 2.5 mile loop around Venable Lake.
Start at parking lot 5, which has the children's playground and restroom facilities. Start heading east past where the fence ends, and you should come across the path where the Cherokee Trail (white) crosses Robert E. Lee Blvd. To start this loop, you'll veer right (south) into the forest along the fence line. Follow the white blazes until the 1.2 mile mark where the Cherokee Trail turns right and the orange-blazed Lake Connector trail goes left.

Go left to head back toward the starting direction, but now you are on the other side of Venable Lake. Follow the orange blazes until you reach the road (Stonewall Jackson Dr.). At the road, turn left on the sidewalk, cross the street so you are on the west side of the road, and cross the bridge. After the bridge, you should return to the Cherokee Trail. Turn right to head back to the start (if you want to extend your outing, go left to loop around the lake again). Follow the trail back to the starting position, which is where the trail crosses Robert E. Lee Blvd.

Flora & Fauna

Usual Georgia plants and wildlife (squirrels and deer mostly). Great fall colors with the mountain in the background and the lake reflecting the season.

Contacts

Shared By:

Kevin M.

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 3 votes

#4734

Overall
  3.7 from 3 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#88

in Georgia

#4,734

Overall
3 Views Last Month
446 Since Feb 1, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

The view of Stone Mountain from across Venable Lake doesn't get much better than this.
Dec 23, 2016 near Stone M…, GA
Another lovely little stream trickles down the rocks on the forest floor.
Feb 14, 2017 near Stone M…, GA
Water flows heavily from the creek into Stone Mountain Lake after a couple days of rain.
Feb 14, 2017 near Stone M…, GA
Enjoy this view of the mountain from across Venable Lake.
Feb 14, 2017 near Stone M…, GA
Venable Lake is pleasant when viewed from the beginning of the land bridge between it and the larger Stone Mountain Lake.
Feb 14, 2017 near Stone M…, GA

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 4 days ago
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.