It’s no secret that Big Canoe is located in one of the most beautiful areas the Appalachians have to offer. With our thousands of untouched acres, rolling hills, rocky slopes, cascading waterfalls, and cool wooded glens, these forests offer a quiet respite from the stresses and worries of daily life. Big Canoe’s miles of hiking trails have something for hikers of every skill level and ability, from paved trails in the Wildcat area, to the nearly flat Jeep Trail in the Nature Valley, to the challenging Nancy Womack Trail. But North Georgia also has many trails out-side the gates, all begging to be explored.

Enter the Big Canoe Hiking Club. This active, social group welcomes everyone who wants to experience the great outdoors on foot. With regular outings to famous trails like the Benton MacKaye and Appalachian Trail, the group also holds an annual Summer Picnic at the Big Canoe Lodge. The Picnic is a special event for sharing memories of the year’s hikes and kicking off the next year’s hiking season. Hike distances average 4-5 miles and are usually rated moderate-to-difficult in most hiking guides. In addition to the Big Canoe trails, this group enjoyed Pine Mountain’s East and West Loops in May, and the Blood Mountain Loop in June. The remaining summer schedule is as follows:

Thursday, July 20 – AT Benton MacKaye Legacy/Springer Mountain Loop, 4.5 miles moderate to difficult
Tuesday, August 22 – Annual Summer Picnic at the Big Canoe Lodge

For more information about this group of outdoor adventurers and nature lovers, contact Laura at lauramcsmith@gmail.com. Happy hiking!