Hikes Map Explore
Arabia Mile Rock and Forest Loop Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, GA
miles
LENGTH 1.9 MILES
DIFFICULTY 1.5 Easy
DURATION 1 hour
ELEVATION GAIN
180
feet
TRAIL TYPE
Loop
Arabia Mile Rock and Forest Loop

An easy trail under two miles, hike through a quarry and along the shores of Arabia Lake on this interesting loop just outside the Atlanta Perimeter. A nice easy hike that half in sun and half in the woods and make for a quick escape from suburbia.

Park in front of the Nature Center or the overflow lot to the right of the entrance. The trail begins at the information pavilion. Either follow the paved PATH around behind the building or the yellow trail to the right if you want to hike this loop in the reverse direction.

Following the PATH trail, you'll immediately come to a split. Stay right but look for the Mile Rock trail marker on the left. The Mile Rock trail begins wooded but quickly opens up to the exposed granite quarry. Follow the rock cairns, stacked rock mounds that serve as trail markers. Sometimes you have to walk to the next marker to see the one after it as there really is no trail other than these as you explore the open quarry.

At the old quarry building turn right at the sign, eventually connecting with the Forest Trail after a small pavilion and in front of Arabia Lake. The Forest Trail is left and right with another trail heading straight. The trail marker arrows look like they point straight and left, but you need to turn right, following the yellow blazes to complete this loop.

As you hike the Forest Trail you'll pass more lake views. A side trail takes you to the other side of the lake if you want to explore around and another to the Mary Wade grave site. The trail connects back to the PATH, but also turns right to parallel it before crossing over and continuing through the woods back towards the trailhead.

Explore more trails at Arabia Mountain.

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Arabia Mile Rock and Forest Loop. Gravel parking lot in front of the Nature Center. There is also a larger overflow gravel lot to the right of the entrance. Arabia Mile Rock and Forest Loop. Trailhead and Nature Center. Take the paved PATH around behind the Nature Center or if you want to do this loop in reverse, look for the yellow blazed trail to the right of the paved path. Arabia Mile Rock and Forest Loop. Take the paved PATH around behind the Nature Center. Arabia Mile Rock and Forest Loop. At the paved PATH split, look for the trail marker for the Mile Rock Trail. Arabia Mile Rock and Forest Loop. The first section of the Mile Rock Trail is forested. Arabia Mile Rock and Forest Loop. Following the rock cairns along the Mile Rock Trail. Arabia Mile Rock and Forest Loop. Following the rock cairns along the Mile Rock Trail. Arabia Mile Rock and Forest Loop. Following the rock cairns along the Mile Rock Trail. Arabia Mile Rock and Forest Loop. Hike past blasted rock ledges throughout the quarry. Arabia Mile Rock and Forest Loop. The sign looks like it points straight and left for the Forest Trail, but turn right, following the yellow blazes. Arabia Mile Rock and Forest Loop. Hiking along the Forest Trail. Arabia Mile Rock and Forest Loop. Enjoy views of Arabia Lake along the Forest Trail.
Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)
Slope Breakdown
Elevation Gain
Elevation Range
Grade Range
Length
Elevation Gain
0 - 250 ft/mi
~ 0 - 5 %
0.5 mi
50 ft
250 - 500 ft/mi
~ 5 - 10 %
0.3 mi
109 ft
500 - 750 ft/mi
~ 10 - 15 %
237 ft
30 ft
750 - 1000 ft/mi
~ 15 - 20 %
149 ft
22 ft
1000+ ft/mi
~ 20+ %
0 ft
0 ft
Elevation Loss
Elevation Range
Grade Range
Length
Elevation Loss
0 - 250 ft/mi
~ 0 - 5 %
0.7 mi
90 ft
250 - 500 ft/mi
~ 5 - 10 %
0.2 mi
79 ft
500 - 750 ft/mi
~ 10 - 15 %
377 ft
38 ft
750 - 1000 ft/mi
~ 15 - 20 %
48 ft
7 ft
1000+ ft/mi
~ 20+ %
21 ft
4 ft
Terrain Map Click to control map
Navigation
Reverse Hike loop in reverse direction.
0.0 mi
0.0 mi - Trailhead Take the paved PATH trail behind the Nature Center.
0.05 mi
0.05 mi - Right Then Left Turn right at the PATH split then immediately turn left off the paved trail to take the Mile Rock Trail at the marker post.
0.2 mi
0.2 mi - Stay Right Follow the marker post for the Mile Rock Trail. Left connects back to the PATH.
0.67 mi
0.67 mi - Turn Right Follow the sign on the quarry building for the Mile Rock Trail. Left connects back to the PATH.
0.99 mi
0.99 mi - Turn Right The marker post for the Forest Trail looks like it points straight and left, but turn right, following the yellow blazes.
1.19 mi
1.19 mi - Stay Straight Obvious side trail on left back to lake.
1.23 mi
1.23 mi - Turn Right Follow sign for Nature Center.
1.52 mi
1.52 mi - Trail Split Then Rejoin The trail splits then immediately rejoins. On the left side there is a side trail to the Mary Wade grave site.
1.65 mi
1.65 mi - Cross PATH The trail connects to the PATH trail but also turns right to parallel it for a short period before crossing it, continuing to follow yellow blazes.
1.83 mi
1.83 mi - Cross Larger Trail Cross over a wider path, staying straight.
1.89 mi
1.89 mi - Return to Trailhead
Details
length1.9 miles
difficulty1.5 Easy
duration1 hour
features Dog Friendly  History  Lake 
trail typeLoop
blazeRock Cairns (Mile Rock Trail), Yellow (Forest Trail)
elevation gain180 ft.
state Georgia 
park/forestArabia Mountain National Heritage Area
visitor infoNature Center
3787 Klondike Road
Lithonia, GA 30038
770-484-3060
hoursSunrise - Sunset
parking feeNone
trailhead coordinates 33.672119, -84.116717 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 33°40.33, W 84°7 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 33°40'20'', N 33°40'20'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Trailhead Directions
33.672119, -84.116717 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 33°40.33, W 84°7 most GPS units use this one
N 33°40'20'', N 33°40'20'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Google Map It
The trailhead is located next to the Nature Center. Either follow the paved PATH around behind the building or the yellow trail to the right.
Parking Capacity
20-22 parking spaces in the main lot. 60-70 in the overflow lot.
Notes
Maps are available at the Nature Center or can be found at arabiaalliance.org.
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Reviews / Comments
Average Review Rating
4 (1)
New Review New Comment
hikethesouth-4 years ago
A Quick Easy Loop
This is a nice quick loop that is good to add as a side trip if you're also going to the top of Arabia Mountain. The quarry is interesting but exposed to the sun so can be rough in 90-degree temps. Nice lake as well but don't drive too far just for this hike.
Easy | Hiked Summer 2019
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Disclaimer: Hiking can be dangerous. The information on this site is meant as a guide and represents trail conditions at a given time. Always let someone know where you are going. A basic knowledge of first aid, backcountry navigation, and some common sense are highly encouraged. The difficulty and duration ratings are subjective and will not be representative of everyone's experience.

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