It's Time to Take a Hike in Atlanta! One of the South's premier cities, Atlanta is home to an abundance of spectacular hiking and walking destinations. Randy and Pam Golden's 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Atlanta shows readers how to quickly drive to and enjoy the best area hikes. The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including several scenic hikes. Hikes from the Georgia mountains, Stone Mountain Park, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Sprewell Bluff, and locations in between provide Atlantans a diverse combination of hikes in length and difficulty. In addition to scenic charm, many hikes have great historical appeal, such as Burnt Hickory Loop and Cheatham Hill Trail. Other trails, such as Grant Park Loop and the Atlanta Ramble, feature major Atlanta attractions. Complete with directions, maps, and a wealth of historical detail, the guide beckons hikers of all ages and fitness levels into the out of doors. With this newly revised and updated 3rd edition, hikers will have no trouble selecting the perfect hike for spending an hour or an afternoon out on the beautiful trails of Atlanta. Randy and Pam Golden have shared their life-long love of hiking since they met at college in Florida. After marrying in 1977, they began hiking across the United States and into Canada. Among their favorite distant destinations are Puerto Rico's El Yunque and Australia's Dandenong Mountains. Their dogs Bessie and Sugar join them on hikes that permit pets. ATLANTA RAMBLE Key At-a-Glance Information LENGTH: 5.4 miles - CONFIGURATION: Loop - DIFFICULTY: Easy - SCENERY: Urban scenes, including high-rise buildings - EXPOSURE: Full sun - TRAFFIC: Heavy - TRAIL SURFACE: Concrete sidewalks - WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: Yes - HIKING TIME: 5 hours - ACCESS: Daily, year-round, 24/7 (but see Special Comments); see Description for access to specific attractions. - MAPS: Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau; Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; USGS Northwest Atlanta, Southwest Atlanta - MORE INFO: 404-521-6600; atlanta.net - FACILITIES: Restrooms, water, and other facilities plentiful throughout the hike - SPECIAL COMMENTS: We recommend walking this route during daylight hours. - DISTANCE: 0.4 mile from the state capitol GPS INFORMATION N33° 44.227' W84° 23.441' 755 Hank Aaron Dr. SE Atlanta, GA 30315 DIRECTIONS Take I-75/I-85 South to Exit 246/Fulton Street. At the end of the ramp, turn left on Fulton Street SW. Drive 0.3 mile and turn right on Capitol Avenue SE. Drive 0.4 mile and turn right on Georgia Avenue SE. Enter the Green lot for Turner Field, on the right. IN BRIEF From Turner Field, this hike visits the Georgia State Capitol, Underground Atlanta, the Georgia Dome, Philips Arena, CNN Center, Centennial Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and the World of Coca-Cola. DESCRIPTION This hike begins in the parking lot opposite Turner Field, at the site of the original Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium. From the parking lot, you have a great view of downtown Atlanta and the Olympic flame. Turner Field was built to house the Olympics and then converted to a baseball field to replace the aging Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium. A bronze statue and a plaque commemorate the most historic moment that occurred at the original structure: Henry “Hank” Aaron’s 715th home run, which he hit on April 6, 1974, breaking Babe Ruth’s long-standing record. Turn around, cross Georgia Avenue, and enter Turner Field at the black iron gates. Purchase tickets for the stadium tour at tinyurl.com/bravestours or at the box office, and view the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame before the tour. In addition to a World Series trophy, the museum has a railroad car that the Braves used in the 1950s and a display on the various fields in which the Braves have played. The tour visits the Braves dugout and bull pen before taking you to the ball field and then into the locker room. Off-season hours are Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Beginning April 1, tours take place Monday– Saturday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. and Sunday, 1–3 p.m. Tours are not available on days when the Braves have an afternoon home game. Tours start on the hour, last about an hour, and are not offered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Thanksgiving Day, or December 23–January 1. When exiting Turner Field, turn right on Georgia Avenue SE and then turn left on Hank Aaron Drive SE, crossing under the Olympic rings and passing the flame on your left. At 0.9 mile, the Georgia State Capitol (206 Washington St. SW; 404-656-2846; libs.uga.edu/capitolmuseum) is on the left. Open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (closed state holidays), the building houses a large number of displays about the cultural and natural history of Georgia, including the state’s role in the civil-rights movement. On the grounds are statues of well-known Georgia politicians, including Jimmy Carter, Richard B. Russell, and John B. Gordon, among others. After looping around the grounds, return to Martin Lut