A challenging hike of ups and downs with a few winter views of Allatoona Lake and Allatoona Dam, Vineyard Mountain Trail is a quick getaway hike when the north Georgia mountains feel a little too far away. Wedged tightly between the lake a neighborhood, you may not feel like your miles from civilization, but you should at least enjoy some solitude.

There are two trailheads to this trail system. This page begins at the Bethany Bridge pull off on Red Top Mountain Road next to the fishing jetty. The other is at the northern end in the Riverside Day Use Area. This hike begins at the former, hiking up the Yellow Trail along Allatoona Lake toward Vineyard Mountain. If you want a shorter hike that skips the stick part of this lollipop loop, check out Vineyard Mountain Double Loop.

This hike is great in winter as views of the lake would all but disappear with leaves on the trees. Along the way there are a few side trails to the lake shore if you do want to explore it a bit. The Yellow Trail follows the water before making a large C shape, passing by several houses, before returning to views of the lake.

Throughout most of the Yellow Trail, you'll either be heading uphill or down with a few steep sections but none that last for too long. At 1.9 miles the trail enters a wider path with large cables in the ground before leaving it to the left. At 2.1 miles, the trail passes a small communication tower. Just before the tower, look for a short side trail directly in front of it for a view of Allatoona Dam. I missed it on the first pass.

At the comm tower, the Yellow Trail continues through a trench to the right. A wider unmarked path heads to the left. At the very beginning of this path, the Red Trail heads steeply uphill. You'll miss it if you don't know it's there as the blazes are faded and don't stand out. I made the loop counter-clockwise, so just continue on the Yellow Trail to do the same.

At 2.4 miles you'll arrive at the other end of the Red Trail to the left and just past that the Blue Trail splits to the right at the bench. Take the Blue Trail to head down to the trailhead at the Riverside Day Use Area. Here you'll meet the other end of the Yellow Trail, taking it back uphill to the intersection with the Blue.

Now for the Red Trail. This is by far the most difficult section, heading straight up Vineyard Mountain with only slight switchbacks. And what do you get for your trouble? Slight views through the trees and a larger communication tower. Yay. Oh, and the satisfaction of ascending a quarter-mile hill at 1500 ft/mile.

Follow the red blaze along the chain link fence at the tower. The trail splits to the left at the other end of the fence, heading just as steeply downhill. At the smaller comm tower, follow the Yellow Trail to the right and retrace your steps back to the trailhead.