Stone Mountain Cherokee Loop Stone Mountain Park, GA
miles
LENGTH 4.7 MILES
DIFFICULTY 5.4 Easy
Medium
DURATION 2-3 hours
ELEVATION GAIN
540
feet
TRAIL TYPE
Loop
Stone Mountain Cherokee Loop

The Cherokee Trail at Stone Mountain Park may be less travelled than the Walk Up Trail but this longer loop around Stone Mountain still draws plenty of hikers and runners. Good for families, only a short section of this trail has any difficulty. Don't forget to bring the doggo for this one.

As you enter the park you should be given a map. Since this trail loops around the mountain, you'll have numerous parking choices. The direction information on this page just begins where I decided to park, but almost all parking in the park is near this trail.

Half this hike runs within a few feet of the lake. Mostly flat, there are a few up and down. Some sections are a little rocky or rooty, but nothing too difficult. A few foot bridges and easily forded creek crossings dot this section as well. There are 3 road crossings, but visibility is good and traffic is slow so these are no trouble.

The other half of this hike sticks closer to the side of the mountain, crossing to the inside of the train tracks. If travelling counter-clockwise the trail makes a hard left on a gravel road before entering the Memorial Lawn area directly in front of the Confederate Memorial Carving, the world's largest bas-relief sculpture, depicting Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Jefferson Davis.

About half a mile of the trail climbs part way up Stone Mountain, crossing the Walk Up Trail and then descending the other side. This section is very steep and not just up and down, but sideways, making it significantly more difficult than the rest of the trail and hazardous when wet. Make sure to pay attention to the ground where the white blaze is painted on the bare rock to mark the way.

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Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)
Slope Breakdown
Elevation Gain
Elevation Range
Grade Range
Length
Elevation Gain
0 - 250 ft/mi
~ 0 - 5 %
2 mi
147 ft
250 - 500 ft/mi
~ 5 - 10 %
0.5 mi
192 ft
500 - 750 ft/mi
~ 10 - 15 %
0.2 mi
127 ft
750 - 1000 ft/mi
~ 15 - 20 %
0.1 mi
117 ft
1000+ ft/mi
~ 20+ %
250 ft
55 ft
Elevation Loss
Elevation Range
Grade Range
Length
Elevation Loss
0 - 250 ft/mi
~ 0 - 5 %
0.8 mi
124 ft
250 - 500 ft/mi
~ 5 - 10 %
0.6 mi
191 ft
500 - 750 ft/mi
~ 10 - 15 %
0.3 mi
175 ft
750 - 1000 ft/mi
~ 15 - 20 %
0.1 mi
100 ft
1000+ ft/mi
~ 20+ %
218 ft
51 ft
Terrain Map Click to control map
Details
length4.7 miles
difficulty5.4 Easy-Medium
duration2 - 3 hours
features Dog Friendly  History  Lake  Views 
trail typeLoop
blazeWhite
elevation gain540 ft.
state Georgia 
park/forestStone Mountain Park
ranger districtStone Mountain Park
1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
800-401-2407
parking fee$15/day, $40 Annual Pass
trailhead coordinates 33.800521, -84.153442 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 33°48.03, W 84°9.21 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 33°48'02'', N 33°48'02'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Trailhead Directions
33.800521, -84.153442 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 33°48.03, W 84°9.21 most GPS units use this one
N 33°48'02'', N 33°48'02'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Google Map It
There is parking all over the park, most of which are within a short distance to the trail. You get a map when you pay so pick any parking lot, this is just the place I started the hike at.
Notes
Dogs are allowed on the Cherokee Trail, but don't take them further up the mountain on the Walk Up Trail.
This trail is very steep where it crosses over a lower section of the mountain. This section is not recommended when it is wet.
The trail crosses the road 3 times. Visibility is good and traffic is slow.
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Reviews / Comments
Average Review Rating
4 (1)
HikesGeorgia-3 years ago
The first mile was rough with black ice. Had no idea how difficult it would be crossing the rocks. It took us 3 hrs for the 5 mile hike. It was rocky and tree roots all along the way. My body aches. And glad we did it. It was 30 degrees, not a lot of people on the trail early morning. The trail could get crowded in some parts as it gets warmer.
hikethesouth-6 years ago
Tour of Stone Mountain
The Cherokee Trail is like an appetizer plate of Stone Mountain, visiting many of the attractions of the park and avoiding the crowds. The lake side is easy and makes for a nice stroll. The mountain side is more difficult but gives you some views.
Easy-Medium | Hiked Summer 2018
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