Travel
Reasons to Love Winter Hiking in Georgia
With fewer people and open vistas, there's no reason to wait until spring
When the winter solstice passes, many hikers we know pack up their gear and wait for the spring before venturing out again. For us, winter is just another hiking season, with different appeal, unique sights, and a perfect opportunity to escape those indoor blues.
With an above-average 217 sunshiny days annually, North Georgia’s hiking season definitely extends year-round. Now, we’re NOT saying that winter is our favorite hiking season. But it’s not our least-favorite either, a designation we reserve for humid, sweaty, bug-infested summer when we greatly prefer water, kayaks, beaches or air-conditioned resorts. Winter hiking simply requires a different set of equipment and a brighter outlook for darker days.
Below are our Top 3 reasons we love winter hiking, and look forward to getting outdoors during Georgia’s mild winter season. For an extended version with our Top 6 reasons, more photos, and winter hiking suggestions, visit our blog at: https://ourtravelcafe.com/wint...
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1. No Sweat
When you dress warmly for winter hiking, you may end up shedding a layer to avoid a few spots of mild dampness. But compared to the strength-draining, drenching body water works of summer, working up a slight winter sweat signals that you’re getting a good workout while enjoying the outdoors.
2. Happy Trails
There’s nothing more annoying than heading out into the great wide open to find yourself shoulder-to-shoulder with a herd of humans. During the winter, Georgia trails often are wide-open, or at least far-less-trafficked than any other time of the year.
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3. More to See
Fallen leaves open the view from different angles, often revealing hidden treasures and vistas impossible to spot during other seasons. Winter at Amicalola Falls and Dukes Creek Falls reveals the full vertical splendor of Georgia’s tall falls as they cascade deep into the valleys below.
Some Favorite North Georgia Hikes, Year-round
Just a few of our favorite winter-time and year-round North Georgia hikes include
Pine Mountain in Cartersville, Amicalola Falls State Park, Duke’s Creek Falls, Red Top Mountain State Park, and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.
You'll find lots more tips for North Georgia hiking spots in at the Georgia section of our blog, OurTravelCafe.com
