For fellow Atlantans (and out-of-town visitors) who prefer to stick to the suburbs, you’re in luck! A plethora of walking destinations exists in areas outside of the city that are open to the public year-round. Two such walking destinations are part of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area. As part of the Chattahoochee River Valley, one can “take a solitary walk to enjoy nature’s display, raft leisurely through the rocky shoals with friends, fish the misty waters as the sun comes up, or have a picnic on a Sunday afternoon.”
A good place to start exploring the recreational area is at Island Ford, where one can find a trail system that runs parallel to the river in addition to a Visitor Center, playground, soccer fields, etc. Bringing fly-fishing gear and a camera are two excellent things to consider when visiting the Island Ford portion of the National Recreation Area; the area is perfect for scenic photo ops and a family run down the Chattahoochee River. If you choose to stick to the trail, keep your eyes and ears open for wildlife and happy kayakers floating down the river.
Another destination that is part of the Recreation Area is the walking trail at Cochran Shoals (located at the end of Columns Drive in East Cobb). Here one can expect to find walkers, runners, bikers, and many pets, as the path is wide and made of flattened gravel (as compared to the naturally-cut path that snakes its way through the woods at Island Ford). There are restrooms and picnic tables located along the path, and there are also a number of viewing areas scattered along the way to allow those exercising to take a break to look out onto the River. A favorite destination for first-timers and regulars alike, this one cannot be missed.
Now that another two walking destinations in Atlanta have been described, there are no excuses not to get outside to experience nature at its finest. Don’t let the cold weather act as deterrent. The result is that the aforementioned walking “hot spots” will be less hot than usual (in other words…less-crowed). So, do yourself, your significant other, and your dog a favor this Valentine’s Day weekend by taking a walk alongside the river. What could be more romantic than that?