Our Favorite Family-Friendly Trails for Walks in the Woods

Every now and then, when the full family is tired of being cooped up indoors or just tired of each other, we suggest a family walk in the woods. And the first question always is, "Where should we go?," quickly followed by "Is it hilly?"

So over our eight years in Cobb County, we've compiled our list of nearby family-friendly trails for walks in the woods, where we can enjoy nature without all those pesky hills that especially bother the littlelest of the legs.

Over eight years in Cobb County, we've assembled our favorite flat hikes through the woods, avoiding hills and mountains.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Now, we're sure these aren't all of the options available, but they are our four favorites. If you have others, please be sure to share yours in the comments below.

Allatoona Pass Battlefield. If you’re looking for a flat trail through the woods, this is it. While just outside of Cobb County, it's well worth the short drive. The trail follows an abandoned railroad bed, passing through a deep mountain cut and alongside Lake Allatoona. In addition to history, there are great views of Lake Allatoona and a side path that allows water access to cool your feet. If you stay on the main, straight trail, this measures approximately 1.7 miles roundtrip and generally takes about 45 minutes to complete. But our detours down to the lake front always add an extra 20 to 30 minutes. You also can veer off to side trails that climb the surrounding historic hills. Beware that parking is limited.

An historic railroad bed creates the flat trail at Allatoona Battlefield Park.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Picket Line and Brumby Loop. There's lots of parking here, and these trails offer a pleasant walk along the side of Kennesaw Mountain without the elevation gain of the summit trail. You'll walk along the wooded trail, then reach the site of Camp Brumby. Here, you can explore the ruins of the Civilian Conservation Corps camp, which housed approximately 200 unmarried men who worked at Kennesaw Mountain during the Great Depression. We often see deer here, and along the trails nearby. After you walk the circle trail at Camp Brumby, be sure to follow the directional signs to return in the same direction from which you came. You should allow 45 minutes to one hour for the walk.

We often see deer and other wildlife on our walks through the woods at Kennesaw Mountain trails.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Cheatham Hill Trail. Another Kennesaw Mountain favorite, you'll reach this trail just off Dallas Highway (look for Youth Museum signs) or John Ward and Cheatham Hill Roads. The packed-dirt trail skirts open fields along Cheatham Hill Road, then plunges into the forest near the Texas Monument. A walk here leads to the Illinois Monument at the battle site of the bloody "Dead Angle." We often see deer in the wooded areas. This trail also is popular for horseback riding and running. At approximately 2.5 miles, you'll need just over an hour to finish the full circle route.

Leone Hall Price Loop. This little-used park in West Cobb off Stileboro Road offers hiking through wooded areas and a small, open field. The highlight is the creekside walk, especially when the flowing water gurgles and sings through the rocky creek bottom. Don't expect to see them, but a family of bears was spotted here a few years ago. You can finish this easy, one-mile loop in under thirty minutes.

The grandkids insisted that we play a few minutes along the creek at Leone Hall Price Park in West Cobb.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

What Are Your Flat Favorites

Leave your thoughts about favorite flat hiking routes in the comments below. We've focused here on wooded walks, so those would be most appropriate.

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