Shady escapes: The best Atlanta hikes for beating the heat
Why it matters: Shaded hikes offer you, your loved one and your family a cooler, safer way to get outside, enjoy nature and exercise without melting.
Zoom in: We asked Jonah McDonald and Zana Pouncey, the authors of Hiking Metro Atlanta's Hidden Forests: An Hour or Less from Downtown, for the best shaded hikes for solo strollers, couples looking for some exercise and family-friendly adventures.
The newly published book is a complement to the authors' Hiking Intown Atlanta's Hidden Forests: Inside and On the Perimeter.
Threat level: Heat and sun can pose risks, even in the shade.
Drink plenty of water and apply sunscreen as directed.
For solo hikers
Laurel Creek Trail at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve: Skip the popular — and very exposed — trail to the top of the monadnock.
McDonald recommends this 2.3-mile trail featuring a babbling creek and small waterfall for peaceful reflection.
Lake Charlotte Nature Preserve: This southeast Atlanta spot is "a hidden gem with limited parking so you'll not likely encounter many, if any, other folks on the trail," Pouncey said.
"[It is] a very peaceful spot to walk through the forest and clear your mind without distraction."
For couples or dates
Pine Mountain Trail: McDonald said this rocky, forested trail in Cartersville "provides some of the best views you can get near Atlanta" and offers a less-crowded alternative to Kennesaw or Stone Mountain.
"If you haven't hiked it yet, I hope you do."
Cochran Shoals at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Pouncey said the trail system offers flexibility to make a challenging trek or a leisurely stroll.
"The flat section of the trail near the river stays pretty busy, but the route in our book takes you away from the crowd and through the hilly trails that make this a popular mountain biking destination."
For family hikes with kids or strollers
McDaniel Farm Park: This Gwinnett County park is in the middle of suburbia but an "oasis for nature," McDonald said.
The green space has miles of forested, stroller-friendly trails, a historic farm and large playground — basically catnip for kids.
Proctor Creek Greenway: Pouncey likes the shady northern section of the creekside path that's the launchpad for a trail system that will stretch to the Chattahoochee River.
Proximity to Shirley Clarke Franklin Park means restrooms, playgrounds and post-hike picnic spots.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
3 days ago
- Axios
Shady escapes: The best Atlanta hikes for beating the heat
Don't let metro Atlanta heat keep you from enjoying the area's hills, gullies and the places in between. Why it matters: Shaded hikes offer you, your loved one and your family a cooler, safer way to get outside, enjoy nature and exercise without melting. Zoom in: We asked Jonah McDonald and Zana Pouncey, the authors of Hiking Metro Atlanta's Hidden Forests: An Hour or Less from Downtown, for the best shaded hikes for solo strollers, couples looking for some exercise and family-friendly adventures. The newly published book is a complement to the authors' Hiking Intown Atlanta's Hidden Forests: Inside and On the Perimeter. Threat level: Heat and sun can pose risks, even in the shade. Drink plenty of water and apply sunscreen as directed. For solo hikers Laurel Creek Trail at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve: Skip the popular — and very exposed — trail to the top of the monadnock. McDonald recommends this 2.3-mile trail featuring a babbling creek and small waterfall for peaceful reflection. Lake Charlotte Nature Preserve: This southeast Atlanta spot is "a hidden gem with limited parking so you'll not likely encounter many, if any, other folks on the trail," Pouncey said. "[It is] a very peaceful spot to walk through the forest and clear your mind without distraction." For couples or dates Pine Mountain Trail: McDonald said this rocky, forested trail in Cartersville "provides some of the best views you can get near Atlanta" and offers a less-crowded alternative to Kennesaw or Stone Mountain. "If you haven't hiked it yet, I hope you do." Cochran Shoals at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Pouncey said the trail system offers flexibility to make a challenging trek or a leisurely stroll. "The flat section of the trail near the river stays pretty busy, but the route in our book takes you away from the crowd and through the hilly trails that make this a popular mountain biking destination." For family hikes with kids or strollers McDaniel Farm Park: This Gwinnett County park is in the middle of suburbia but an "oasis for nature," McDonald said. The green space has miles of forested, stroller-friendly trails, a historic farm and large playground — basically catnip for kids. Proctor Creek Greenway: Pouncey likes the shady northern section of the creekside path that's the launchpad for a trail system that will stretch to the Chattahoochee River. Proximity to Shirley Clarke Franklin Park means restrooms, playgrounds and post-hike picnic spots.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
U.S. Embassy Warns Travelers of Kidnapping Risks at Tourist Hotspot
Travelers are getting set for a busy summer season, but the United States embassy in one popular country is sharing some serious advice ahead of those warm-weather vacations. The US Embassy and consulates in Mexico are warning travelers about using dating apps in certain areas of the country with a new security alert. 'You've got to be careful, buyer beware. You've got to assume that something bad could happen to you in this process,' said Bobby McDonald, a retired Secret Service agent and criminal justice lecturer at the University of New Haven. 'If you choose to use it, be on extra-high alert. Be extra careful of where you're meeting this person or persons. Make sure that it's in a public area. Make sure it's an area where you're going to have cellphone service. Make sure that you're just watching out for yourself, situational awareness. Be careful and let people know where you are." The embassy's warning of a potential kidnapping threat is specifically concentrated in the Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit areas. They say that "victims and their family members in the United States have at times been extorted for large sums of money to secure their release.' The embassy also urged travelers to take caution when meeting new people, advising them to meet in public and avoid isolated locations like "residences or hotel rooms, where crimes are most likely to occur.' McDonald gave more advice, saying that travelers should research areas that they're heading to, and that they should have the US Embassy's number close at hand if they're traveling out of the country. Jalisco has the highest threat level of any Mexican region, with a "Level 3" designation, urging travelers to reconsider going there amid threats of crime and kidnapping. Nayarit is classified as 'Level 2,' which requests that travelers exercise caution when going there. Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom all currently have "Level 2" advisories on travel from the State Department. 'The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens overseas,' it said in a statement to Fox News Digital. 'We take seriously our commitment to provide US citizens with clear and reliable information about every destination in the world so they can make informed travel decisions. We make this information available to US citizens so they can be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions.' As the summer travel season intensifies, it's clear that safety is everyone's top priority. U.S. Embassy Warns Travelers of Kidnapping Risks at Tourist Hotspot first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 5, 2025
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
REAL IDs will be required for air travel in May: What you need to know
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – As of Monday, you have exactly one month to get your . Starting May 7, federal agencies like TSA will be prohibited from accepting state-issued cards that do not meet the requirements for air travel. This means you'll need a REAL ID or an equivalent form of identification to board a domestic flight. Small plane skids off runway into water at North Bend airport, 5 hospitalized Possessing a REAL ID is optional in the state of Oregon, but it will still be required if you fly within the country. According to the DMV, only 36% of Oregonians have one. Kathleen McDonald, a federal security director with TSA said all Oregonians 18 and up will need a , a passport, or another federally recognized ID to get through airport security. TSA has a of acceptable forms of ID. 'If you come on May 7 or later, and you don't have a REAL ID with you, you may experience an additional delay and some additional screening at the security checkpoint,' McDonald said. And if you have not already gotten your REAL ID, that means you'll need to take a trip to the DMV. Typically you'll need a valid ID, passport or birth certificate; proof of your social security number and date of birth; and two items (from different sources) proving state residency, like mail or bills. 'I made an appointment at the DMV, and the process was seamless. It literally took me like 10 minutes to get it,' McDonald said. But with , Chris Crabb with the Oregon DMV urges travelers not to drag their feet. 'We are seeing record attendance at our DMV offices,' Chris Crabb with the Oregon DMV said. 'We have offered a lot more appointments — made those available — but they are getting snatched up as soon as we release them.' Once documents are approved, Crabb said the DMV will issue a temporary card, but that paper copy won't fly with TSA. It could take up to three weeks for the hard copy to land in your mailbox. 'Now is the time. If you had a flight on May 7 and you didn't have a passport or another accepted federal identification, April 16 will be the last day that you would confidently get your card in the mail,' Crabb said. But before making an appointment, check your wallet. You may already have a REAL ID, as Oregon has been issuing them for years ahead of the deadline. To know for sure, look for a star in the corner of your state-issued ID. If you do, you can save yourself a trip to the DMV. City of Portland managers to make full-time return to workplace Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 following 9/11 to create a national minimum requirement for state driver's licenses and ID cards. The official deadline is May 7, 2025. Once this deadline passes, you will need a REAL ID or another form of identification in order to fly within the United States or even enter a government building. However, REAL IDs are not the same as a passport and cannot be used for international travel. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
