Red Top Mountain - Iron Hill Trail
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Trail Description: This 3.9 mile scenic trail is a loop that winds along the banks of Lake Allatoona and is a flat, easy walk. It goes through an area that was once home to an active iron mining community in the mid 1800s. Serene views of the lake will accompany you as you progress through a wooded area open to both hikers and cyclists.
Directions:
Red Top Mountain State Park is located 45 minutes north of Atlanta near Cartersville, 1.5 miles east of I-75 exit #285
Use the address given above to get you close to the trail, but as soon as you see the Visitors Center on Red Top Mountain Road follow the directions below.
- From Atlanta, take I-75 north
- Exit #285 - Red Top Mountain Road
- Turn right and follow the signs to Red Top Mountain State Park and look for the signs directing you to the Visitors Center
- Pass the Visitors Center on your left and travel approx. one more mile to the IRON HILL TRAIL parking lot on your right.
Questions Specific To This Trail:
1. Are there restrooms? NO RESTROOMS at the trailhead. YES, there are restrooms at the Visitors Center, approx. one mile from the trailhead.
2. Any fees? Yes. The Georgia State Park fee is $5 per car. If you need change, you can get your parking pass at the Visitors Center. There is also a collection box at the trailhead if you don't need change.
3. What if I am not sure how far I can walk? You can walk as much or as little of the trail as you like.
Lunch:
El Charro Authentic Mexican Grill
700 Douthit Ferry Rd, Cartersville, GA 30120
770-606-0041
From Iron Hill parking lot:
- Turn left onto Red Top Mountain Rd SE. Travel 2-3 miles and cross the bridge for I-75.
- Red Top Mountain Rd SE becomes Old Alabama Rd SE. Then 5.22 miles
- Turn right onto Douthit Ferry Rd. Then 1.35 miles
- El Charro will be on your right in The Shops At Grove Park shopping center
OPTIONAL SIDE TRIP (the group is not going together):
Etowah Indian Mounds:
The trail is very close to the Etowah Indian Mounds historic site. If you wish to stop by here on your way home it is only about 6 miles from the Iron Hill Trail parking lot and 1.6 miles from the El Charro restaurant. There is a $6 fee per person to enter the site.
Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site
813 Indian Mounds Road SW
Cartersville, GA 30120
From El Charro:
- Start out going south on Douthit Ferry Rd toward Walnut Grove Rd SE (left). Then 0.73 miles
- Take the 2nd left onto Indian Mound Rd SE. Indian Mound Rd SE is just past Milner Rd SE. Then 0.89 miles
- 813 Indian Mounds Rd will be on your right
From Iron Hill parking lot:
- Turn left onto Red Top Mountain Rd SE. Travel 2-3 miles and cross the bridge for I-75.
- Red Top Mountain Rd SE becomes Old Alabama Rd SE. Then 5.22 miles
- Turn right onto Douthit Ferry Rd. Then 0.62 miles
- Take the 1st right onto Indian Mound Rd SE. Then 0.89 miles
- 813 Indian Mounds Rd will be on your right
Click on this link for the Red Top Mountain home page: http://www.redtopmountainstatepark.org/
Click on this link for detailed descriptions of the Iron Hill Trail:
http://www.atlantatrails.com/hiking-trails/hiking-iron-hill-red-top-mountain-lake-allatoona/