Beat the Cobb County Summer Heat When Hiking These Shaded Trails Under Cooling Tree Canopies

Yes, it's hot, but we still enjoy several shaded trails in and near Cobb County during the peak of the summer heat. By heading out before 10 am and remaining under the thick canopy of tall trees, we are able to walk these trails before the hottest part of the day makes the day nearly unbearable.

Shaded trails in Cobb County offer cool summer hiking options under the cooling canopy of tall trees -- made better with streams.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Shaded trails that are among our favorite summer walks in and near Cobb County include:

Noses Creek. This walk offers a few different options depending on your fitness and curiosity. The main trail from Burnt Hickory Road to Dallas Highway is a wide, shell-covered, gradually-sloping 3.0-mile round-trip route shared by hikers and horses. If you’re not in the mood for the full walk route, the trail crosses scenic Noses Creek approximately .75 miles from the Burnt Hickory Parking lot, thus offering a scenic and relatively-easy 1.5 mile walk if your turn around at the bridge. Or, if you want more adventure, check out some of the smaller side trails that lead down to the creek, where you can cool your feet in the shallow stream.

Heading out to Sope Creek in early morning, we spotted a fisherman and his dog enjoying the water and shade.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Sope Creek. This is part of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area, designated as part of the national park system when Georgia's Jimmy Carter occupied the White House. On this hike, we explored the ruins of the castle-like paper mill, hiked along the creek, and strolled through the wooded hillsides. We did a short video about this shaded walk.

We often spot waterfowl and forest creatures while hiking on the shaded banks of the Chattahoochee River at Palisades.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Palisades. Follow the banks of the Chattahoochee River, then climb up to the high overlooks that give the park its name. There are two Palisades parks, one on each side of the river near where I-75 and I-285 intersect in Cobb County. Parking at East Palisades is very limited, and we avoid visiting here on weekends for that reason.

Allatoona Pass Battlefield. This one is outside of Cobb County, but we really close to Acworth. The trail is part of an abandoned railbed, so it's flat. And, there's access to Lake Acworth and some wonderful viewpoints of osprey nests there.

A side trail at Allatoona Pass Battlefield Park provides lake access, and great views of nesting ospreys.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

More Local Hiking

If you enjoy a good hike, check out these other locations near Cobb County:

3 Favorite Cobb County Hikes

Great Dam Views at Cooper's Furnace

The View from Panoramic Pine Mountain

All Hiking Blogs by DeanLand

Follow DeanLand on NewsBreak

Want to see more about outdoors, hiking, history, dining and family adventures in Cobb County, North Georgia and beyond. Follow DeanLand on Newsbreak to keep up-to-date with the latest.