We are so lucky in the Athens area to have the State Botanical Garden of Georgia with its lovely conservatory, garden, and hiking trails! Here are some additional hiking spots to try...
1. Sandy Creek Nature Center -- It is easy to get absorbed in the building's interactive displays and forget about the Center's nature trails. They are a welcome outdoor shady spot when summer heats up.
2. Memorial Park -- The paved walking paths around the lake are lovely. Also give the 1.25-mile Birchmore Trail behind the zoo a try.
3. Oconee Forest -- Sixty acres of trails are waiting to be explored! This is an especially good network of trails for kids who love sticks and bridges.
4. Southeast Clarke Park -- Instead of heading straight to World of Wonder Park off of Whit Davis Road, try using the park's Lexington Highway entrance and then hike to the playground through the woods past the skateboarding area.
5. Ben Burton Park -- This is the most remote of the trails listed but offers some lovely areas along the river. This is one of our favorite places to hike with a group.
Hiking Safety -- Always hike with a buddy, choose a time of day when there will be other trail users about, and make sure you have adequate cell phone service in case of emergencies. Water, a small first aid kit, and a walking stick may be helpful too. And if you'd like to do your good deed for the day, take along a bag to pick up trash. Thankfully, most trails in Clarke/Oconee have thoughtful users, but it is great to leave a trail better than you found it!
