Athens, home to the Georgia Bulldogs, R.E.M. and the B-52s, sits just 70 miles east of Atlanta. Although known for its lively music scene, powerhouse football, energetic nightlife and historic architecture, Athens also features plenty of outdoor adventures.
Hiking and Running
Fort Yargo State Park, west of Athens, offers multiple outdoor activities. Hike or run throughout the park and along the banks of Marbury Creek Lake. Jog Fort Yargo's Lake Loop, an easy, nearly level trail around the lake to explore grassy meadows, a shady pine forest the lake's large earthen dam.
Another option is to take a family-friendly stroll through the State Botanical Gardens. You'll find manicured gardens, floral displays and natural areas as you explore more than five miles of trails.
Hike or run the North Oconee River Greenway, a series of connecting trails that snake through the city near the University of Georgia campus. Cook's Trail meanders the shores of Sandy Creek from Sandy Creek Park to Sandy Creek Nature Center, crossing through marshland over boardwalks and through hardwood and pine forest. For more mileage, continue along the four-mile paved Greenway to Dudley Park, and then check out the park on the Athens Heritage Trail.
Mountain Biking
If you're a bike enthusiast, grab your helmet and take a spin through Trail Creek Park. The park offers more than four miles of mountain biking trails, ranging from beginner to advanced. The trails at Trail Creek offer plenty of hills, dips and berms to make your ride fun and exciting.
If you're still up for adventure, visit Fort Yargo State Park to bike more than 20 miles of trails, ranging from flat, beginner-friendly loops to more challenging hillsides and drops.
Paddling
To beat Georgia's late-summer heat, canoe or kayak down the Broad River, north of Athens. Paddle the slower-moving Section I for a relaxing, family-friendly excursion by canoe or kayak down river on a five-mile trek. To add some excitement, kayak the Broad's six-mile Section II, where you'll navigate class II rapids as the river tumbles and churns over boulders and shoals.
Worked up an appetite? After your adventure, refuel at one of the best dining options in the Classic City.
Eric Champlin is an outdoor enthusiast, and the editor of AtlantaTrails.com and AshevilleTrails.com, online magazines that highlight the south's best outdoor adventures.
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