| Preface |
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xii | |
| A Time-Line of Georgia History (keyed to sites listed in the guide) |
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xiv | |
| Georgia Map with Walks Identified |
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xvii | |
| Site Legend for Table of Contents |
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| PH: Prehistoric Georgia |
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| NG: Native Georgia |
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| CR: Colonial and Revolutionary Georgia |
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| AB: Antebellum Georgia |
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| CW: Civil War Georgia |
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| VG: Victorian Georgia |
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| MG: Modern Georgia |
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| NH: Natural History |
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| Abbreviations |
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| NR: National Register of Historic Places |
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| NL: National Historic Landmark |
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| NORTHWESTERN MOUNTAINS (HUB CITY: ROME) |
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Cloudland Canyon State Park [ NH] |
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2 | (5) |
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Walk, 6.5 miles, Easy-Strenuous |
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Rugged river canyon on the western slope of Lookout Mountain. Scenic views, ancient geological formations, and dramatic waterfalls |
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Chickamauga Battlefield [ CW] |
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7 | (12) |
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Walk-Run, 11 miles, Moderate-Strenuous |
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Pastoral valley between mountain ridges. Site of one of the pivotal battles of the Civil War |
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Johns Mountain, Keown Falls, and Pocket Recreation Area [ NH] |
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19 | (5) |
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Walk, 5 miles, Moderate-Strenuous |
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Mountain and woodland trails with scenic views of ridges and valleys. Pocket campground was the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps camp (1938-42) |
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Fort Mountain State Park [ PH, NG, NH] |
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24 | (4) |
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Walk, 2-8.2 miles, Moderate-Strenuous |
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An ancient stone wall, dating back over 1500 years, is the centerpiece of this picturesque state park high in the Cohutta Mountains |
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New Echota State Historic Site [ NG, AB] |
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28 | (5) |
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A broad, open plain near the banks of New Town Creek was the site of the historic last capital of the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokees' removal to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears began here. Reconstructed buildings and woodland trails |
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Rome [ NG, AB, CW, VG, MG] |
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33 | (6) |
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Walk-Run, 3.5 miles, Easy-Moderate |
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Situated at the confluence of three rivers (the Oostanaula, Etowah, and Coosa) and surrounded by rolling hills, Rome has been the commercial hub of north-western Georgia for over a century. The downtown business district and surrounding neighborhoods are a treasure of Victorian architecture |
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Berry College Campus [ NG, AB, CW, VG, MG] |
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39 | (9) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 6.3 miles, Easy-Moderate |
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Located just north of Rome, Berry College occupies a rolling and wooded, 28,000-acre campus nestled in the Appalachian foothills |
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Etowah Mounds State Historic Site [ PH, NG] |
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48 | (4) |
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Footpaths lead to earthen mounds built by Native Americans more than a thousand years ago |
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| Regional Annual Events |
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52 | (46) |
| NORTHEASTERN MOUNTAINS (HUB CITY: GAINESVILLE) |
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Dahlonega [ NG, AB, CW, VG, MG] |
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57 | (7) |
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Walk-Run, 2.5 miles, Easy |
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Located in the foothills of the Appalachians, Dahlonega was the site of the nation's first gold rush. Historic buildings around the town square and the nearby campus of North Georgia College and State University are highlights |
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DeSoto Falls Scenic Recreation Area [ PH, NH] |
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64 | (3) |
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Walk, 5.4 miles, Moderate-Strenuous |
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U.S. Forest Service area features picturesque waterfalls and a legend of the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto |
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Appalachian National Scenic Trail---Neels Gap to Tesnatee Gap [ PH, NH] |
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67 | (4) |
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Walk, 6.5 miles (one-way), Moderate-Strenuous |
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This stretch of the National Scenic and Historic Trail captures the rugged flavor of the unbroken footpath between Georgia and Maine. (This is a linear hike; a second vehicle or shuttle is recommended.) |
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Vogel State Park---Bear Hair Trail [ PH, NH] |
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71 | (4) |
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Walk, 4 miles, Moderate-Strenuous |
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Scenic trails offer a glimpse at the rugged mountains that inspired native poet Byron Herbert Reece. Vogel is the state's second oldest park and several facilities were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s |
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Unicoi State Park---Anna Ruby Falls [ NH] |
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75 | (4) |
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Walk, 5 miles (one-way), Moderate-Strenuous |
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Majestic Anna Ruby Falls springs forth from mountains that were heavily logged a century ago. The Smith Creek Trail winds through highland ridges and cove forests of the Southern Appalachians, connecting the falls area with Unicoi State Park. (This is a linear hike; we recommend a second vehicle or shuttle.) |
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Black Rock Mountain State Park---Tennessee Rock Trail [ NH] |
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79 | (3) |
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Walk, 2.2 miles, Moderate |
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On this meandering loop trail along the ridges of geologically diverse Black Rock Mountain, there is evidence of early 20th-century logging and forest restoration. Watch for the rock fall caused by the last Ice Age |
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Chattooga River Trail [ NH] |
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82 | (4) |
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Walk, 9.1 miles (one-way), Strenuous |
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A challenging hike along the banks of the Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River, site for the filming of the movie Deliverance. Watch rafters and boaters challenge the whitewater river. (This is a linear hike; we recommend a second vehicle or shuttle.) |
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86 | (8) |
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Walk-Run, 4.5 miles, Easy-Moderate |
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Gainesville is the gateway to the North Georgia Mountains. There are notable historic buildings in the downtown area and Victorian homes along Green Street. Nearby is the 19th-century campus of Brenau University |
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Elachee Nature Science Center [ NH] |
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94 | (4) |
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Walk-Run, 4.5 miles, Easy-Moderate |
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The Elachee Nature Science Center, south of Gainesville, features several miles of woodland trails |
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| Regional Annual Events |
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98 | (51) |
| GREATER ATLANTA (HUB CITY: ATLANTA) |
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Red Top Mountain State Park [ NH, CW] |
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102 | (4) |
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Walk, 9 miles, Moderate-Strenuous |
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This state park on the banks of Allatoona Lake is rich in farming, mining, and Civil War history |
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Pickett's Mill Battlefield State Historic Site [ CW] |
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106 | (8) |
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Walk the wooded hills and creek valleys of what is considered by historians to be the best preserved Civil War battlefield in the nation |
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The Civil War Battlefields of Atlanta: Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, and Atlanta [ CW, MG] |
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114 | (11) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 4-16 miles, Easy-Strenuous |
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Take a driving/walking tour of three battlefield sites significant in the Atlanta Campaign |
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McIntosh Reserve [ PH, NG, CR, AB, NH] |
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125 | (6) |
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Walk-Run, 7 miles, Moderate-Strenuous |
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This site in the hills and flood plains along the northern banks of the Chattahoochee River was a gathering place for Native Americans for many centuries. The land was once owned by Creek Chief William McIntosh, who operated a plantation and ferryboats here. McIntosh was assassinated at the preserve in 1825 for his part in signing the Treaty of Indian Springs. Today, the preserve is a public park |
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131 | (8) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 3.5 miles, Easy |
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Explore the squares and side streets of a community known as the ``City of Homes'' for its abundance of well preserved antebellum and Victorian houses |
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Covington and Oxford College [ AB, CW, VG] |
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139 | (10) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 6 miles, Easy-Moderate |
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Enjoy the abundant antebellum and Victorian architecture of Covington, and the original campus of Emory College, founded in 1835, in nearby Oxford |
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| Regional Annual Events |
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149 | (79) |
| CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY (HUB CITY: COLUMBUS) |
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Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park---Pine Mountain Trail [ NH, MG] |
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153 | (8) |
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Walk, 3.2-7.8 miles loops, Moderate-Strenuous |
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Explore the natural beauty and history of the hills so loved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Hike sections of the scenic Pine Mountain Trail and see the handiwork of the ``Boys of the CCC.'' |
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Callaway Gardens [ NH, MG] |
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161 | (7) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 9 miles, Easy-Moderate |
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Miles of hiking and biking trails criss-cross this internationally renowned woodland preserve that is filled with color throughout the year |
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Columbus [ NG, AB, CW, VG, MG] |
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168 | (11) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 4 miles, Easy |
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Georgia's. ``River City'' is filled with historic homes, commercial buildings, and mills perched above the Chattahoochee River |
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Ft. Benning Historic District [ MG] |
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179 | (7) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 3.5 miles, Easy |
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This historic post, named for a Confederate general, is home to the Army's Infantry Museum. On the post are a number of historic buildings and military exhibits |
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Providence Canyon State Conservation Park [ NH, AB, VG, MG] |
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186 | (5) |
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Walk, 3 miles, Moderate-Strenuous |
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At ``Georgia's Grand Canyon,'' foot trails wind through unique and colorful geological formations that are the result of agricultural erosion a century ago |
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191 | (7) |
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At Westville it is always
1850. This historical re-creation of an antebellum town was crafted from authentic homes and buildings brought from around the state |
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Kolomoki Mounds State Historic Park [ PH, NG] |
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198 | (5) |
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Walk, 3.3 miles, Easy-Moderate |
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Thousand-year-old Indian mounds are the centerpiece for a state park that offers an array of historical and recreational facilities |
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Albany and Chehaw Park [ AB, VG, MG] |
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203 | (14) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 5.5 miles, Easy-Moderate |
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The largest city in southwestern Georgia, Albany has prospered and suffered at the hands of the nearby Flint River. Explore the historic downtown area and the woodland trails and reconstructed Creek Indian village at Chehaw Park |
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217 | (11) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 4 miles, Easy |
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A 19th-century winter resort, Thomasville is filled with grand Victorian architecture (including the unique Lapham-Patterson House State Historic Site) and urban parks. Georgia's largest live oak tree graces a downtown street corner |
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| Regional Annual Events |
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228 | (78) |
| HEART OF GEORGIA (HUB CITY: MACON) |
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234 | (10) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 3.8 miles, Easy-Moderate |
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Established as a frontier fort prior to the War of 1812, Macon has been the cultural heart of Central Georgia for over a century. Its winding, hilly streets and downtown commercial district are a treasure of antebellum and Victorian architecture |
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Ocmulgee National Monument [ PH, NG] |
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244 | (6) |
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Walk, 3.7 miles, Easy-Moderate |
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Trails meander beside ancient Indian mounds and past streams flowing into the nearby Ocmulgee River |
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Milledgeville [ AB, CW, VG, MG] |
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250 | (9) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 3 miles, Easy |
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Georgia's capital from 1803 until 1868, Milledgeville is filled with historic buildings. Among them are the unusual Gothic style capitol building and the grand Greek Revival Governor's Mansion. The library on the Georgia College campus features exhibits on the life of native daughter Flannery O'Connor |
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Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge [ AB, VG, MG] |
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259 | (5) |
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Walk, 5.1 miles, Moderate |
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The abundant trees and wildlife in the refuge are a tribute to Depression-era programs to reclaim worn-out and abandoned farmlands |
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264 | (10) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 2.5 miles, Easy |
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Called the ``Yank-Reb City,'' Fitzgerald was founded by Union veterans in the 1890s. The town includes a number of historic homes and buildings, and the unique Blue and Gray Museum |
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Little Ocmulgee State Park [ NH, MG] |
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274 | (4) |
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This popular state park with lake, hiking trails, golf course, and other recreational facilities was originally developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s |
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Andersonville National Historic Site [ CW] |
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278 | (9) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 3.7 miles, Moderate |
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Few places conjure up a more grim reminder of the horrors of the Civil War than Andersonville, the Confederacy's largest prisoner-of-war camp. Walk through the reconstructed stockade, pause amidst the rows of monuments in the national cemetery, or explore the powerful exhibits in the National Prisoner of War Museum |
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Americus [ AB, CW, VG, MG] |
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287 | (8) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 3 miles, Easy |
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Once a major business hub in the heart of Georgia's ``Cotton Kingdom,'' Americus may be best known today as the world headquarters for Habitat for Humanity. The downtown business district is a treasure of well-preserved Victorian buildings anchored by the elegant Windsor Hotel |
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Valdosta and Valdosta State University [ AB, VG, MG] |
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295 | (11) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 5.5 miles, Easy |
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The major commercial center for southern Georgia, Valdosta is rich with Victorian architecture. The walk includes a visit to the Spanish Mission-style campus of Valdosta State University |
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| Regional Annual Events |
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306 | (62) |
| CLASSIC GEORGIA (HUB CITY: AUGUSTA) |
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Augusta [ CR, AB, CW, VG, MG] |
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311 | (10) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 3 miles, Easy |
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Established in the 1730s by General James Oglethorpe as a frontier outpost on the Savannah River, Augusta has grown to be the state's second-largest city. The city is filled with historic buildings, churches, and houses (including the boyhood home of President Woodrow Wilson). The Riverwalk is a popular gathering place |
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321 | (9) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 9 miles (one-way), Moderate-Strenuous |
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Dug by immigrant and slave labor during the 1840s, the Augusta Canal was built so that barges could bypass dangerous river shoals as they delivered cotton to Augusta's mills. Today the canal towpath is a popular linear park for walking and biking. (We recommend a second vehicle or shuttle.) |
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Washington [ CR, AB, CW, VG] |
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330 | (7) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 3 miles, Easy |
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Washington is a place rich in Revolutionary War and Civil War history. Established as Fort Washington in 1780, it was the first community in the nation to bear the future president's name. Eighty-five years later, Confederate President Jefferson Davis held the last meeting of his cabinet here. The city is filled with historic homes and buildings. The 1779 battle of Kettle Creek took place a few miles outside Washington |
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Athens and the University of Georgia Campus [ AB, CW, VG, MG] |
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337 | (17) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 4.5 miles, Easy-Moderate |
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Established in the early 19th century on the bluffs above the Oconee River, Athens grew up around the campus of the University of Georgia, the oldest landgrant college in the nation. Explore historic downtown, nearby Prince Street, and the campus of Old College |
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State Botanical Garden of Georgia [ NH] |
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354 | (5) |
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Walk, 5 miles, Moderate-Strenuous |
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Trails meander through wooded hills and along the banks of the Middle Oconee River. Enjoy gardens filled with native plants and flowers, an international garden, and a state-of-the-art conservatory |
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359 | (9) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 3.3 miles, Easy |
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Walk the quiet lanes, see majestic pre-Civil War homes, and learn the story of this historic community called ``the city that Sherman refused to burn.'' |
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| Regional Annual Events |
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368 | (68) |
| HISTORIC COAST (HUB CITY: SAVANNAH) |
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Savannah [ NG, CR, AB, CW, VG, MG] |
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373 | (21) |
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Georgia's ``first city'' was established by General James Oglethorpe in 1733 on the Yamacraw Bluffs above the Savannah River. Historic river front and squares are lined with historic houses and buildings under a canopy of live oaks and Spanish moss. The city is a walker's delight |
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Melon Bluff Natural Heritage Preserve [ NG, CR, AB, CW, MG, NH] |
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394 | (8) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 8 miles, Moderate-Strenuous |
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The preserve features more than 5,000 acres of tidal marshes and coastal forests to explore on foot or by bicycle. Preserve staff offer educational programs and day trips |
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Brunswick [ CR, AB, CW, VG, MG] |
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402 | (9) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 3 miles, Easy-Moderate |
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A commercial center along the coast since the Revolutionary War, Brunswick may be best known as the ``Shrimp Capital of the World.'' Historic homes and buildings line tree-shaded streets |
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Jekyll Island Club Village [ CR, VG, MG, NH] |
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411 | (10) |
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Walk-Run-Bicycle, 2.5 miles, Easy |
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A century ago, this private enclave for the nation's wealthiest men was the world's most exclusive club. Several of their ``cottages'' remain, and the village centerpiece is the magnificent Jekyll Island Club, now a luxury hotel |
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Cumberland Island National Seashore and St. Marys [ NH, CR, AB, VG, MG] |
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421 | (15) |
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Walk, 5.5-25 miles, Easy-Strenuous |
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The late 18th-century community of St. Marys stands across the sound from the magnificent marshes, live oaks, and dunes of Cumberland Island. Historic homes and ruins, rugged landscapes |
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| Regional Annual Events |
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436 | (1) |
| Bibliography |
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437 | (3) |
| About the Authors |
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440 | |
