Paces Mill — Attraction in Vinings

This is one of my favorite places to walk or bike along the Hooch. The parking area is spacious, completely paved, and there is a nice bathroom facility with a water fountain. It was very clean and stocked on a Monday when we went.

The trail is clearly marked and paved, though there is an offshoot after you go under the I-75 bridge that follows the river. This offshoot is not paved and can be gooey when it's been raining. If you stick to the paved trail, you move away from the water for a bit, but it's still a nice walk, flat and shady for 7/10ths of a mile.

(During the flat part, there are unpaved offshoots to the right in multiple places, but I have no idea where those go.)

And then you are going to sweat.

As you move out of the cover of the trees, the trail begins to climb...and dip...and climb...and dip. And there is no shade for the hilliest parts, unfortunately. It's a workout on foot or on wheels, but once you crest the last hill, it is down until you cross the river again, and after you take a sharp left, it flattens out.

At the 1.90 mark you can turn left to a parking lot or right to take the Bob Callen trail, which ultimately leads to the Cochran Shoals Rec Area, I think.

Or, you can rest a bit and head back the way you came, which is usually what we do because an almost-4-mile hike in mostly sun is...

Chattahoochee was my favorite part of Atlanta, by far! You can't have the full Atlanta experience without visiting this gem.

The park is located right in the middle of the hustle and bustle but it really doesn't feel that way when you're in it. It's huge! With pathways going in all directions, tennis courts, soccer fields, ponds, and more. I came to watch the sunset and tried taking advantage of the free 30 minute parking but ended up going over the time limit because I just couldn't get myself to leave.

Tourists: I say come for a late afternoon picnic in the summer or fall, give yourself an hour or two to explore, play some soccer, and pop open the wine and cheese laying on a blanket watching the sunset. The parking rates are cheap and definitely worth the views. Bring a camera!

Locals: All of the above + a great free date spot, place to take family photos in Autumn, play pick up soccer, go for a long walk and listen to a podcast, etc. If you're super athletic and want to save money on parking, the Beltline runs through the park, starting at many other locations in town you can park at for free. No matter what you do, definitely make use of this...

Only takes about 10 minutes to hike through the abundant greenery to the serene river. Georgia is full of fauna and flora up high and down low to keep you engaged as you stumble upon the invasive Joro spiders, occasional deer, and gorgeous shrubs/trees.

The river itself is deep in some areas to submerge one’s whole body, but mostly the rocks and shallow areas prevent really swimming inside. I highly recommend taking off your shoes to step into the water that feels so refreshing among the humidity!

If you’re taking Sope trail, cross the river and head downstream with the current and you’ll find extraordinary ruins from what I assume to be the Civil War time. There’s a whole network of pillars and fortified walls that stretch along the river but up higher in the forest. You’ll have to cut through some seemingly uncharted trails to get up to the ruins, but it’s so worth it. Beware of spiders and poison Ivy though, as my little brother brushed up against some and we had to rush him back to the car and apply cortisone. Well worth it though to witness nature’s overgrowth on what’s left of our country’s battle...