| Trail Length: 1.6 miles | Type of trail: In and out |
| County: Cobb County, GA | Our rating: Moderate |
| Features: visitors center, handicapped, 60hikes | Your rating: |
| Usage: Heavy | Added on: January 01, 1998 |
| Last hiked: October 07, 2011 | Updated on: October 12, 2011 |
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One of the first sights along this 1.6 mile paved roadway hike to the top of Kennesaw Mountain is the impressive Georgia monument, dedicated to the men from Georgia who fought at The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
Hiking Kennesaw Mountain Road
This paved road, which begins on the far side from the entrance to the Kennesaw Mountain Visitors Center, rises 800 feet during its 1.6 mile length. During weekdays motorized vehicles are allowed on the road, but on weekends visitors who wish to see the top of the mountain without walking must ride a bus, which runs up the road at regularly scheduled intervals. The National Park charges a small fee for the ride.
Immediately after you start the hike a paved driveway comes off to the right. This is a private drive to a residence. The Kennesaw Mountain Trail also comes off to the right. This trail makes an almost direct climb to the top of Kennesaw Mountain on a hard packed dirt trail. At 0.1 miles the Georgia Monument sits on the right-hand side of Kennesaw Mountain Road.
Winding up Kennesaw Mountain the road passes quartz diorite gneiss (metamorphic granite) boulders and outcrops, some with migmatite. In 1952 the rock was informally given the name Kennesaw Mountain gneiss. When the Georgia Geological Survey reviewed the name in 1984 they felt that Kennesaw gneiss was more appropriate although even today both terms are used. A gravel road crosses Kennesaw Mountain Road at 0.4 miles. To the right this becomes the Kennesaw Mountain Trail, to the left it joins the Burnt Hickory Loop in less than half a mile.
At 0.6 miles views through the trees to your right include the city of Atlanta and, on an exceptionally clear day, Stone Mountain. Kennesaw Mountain Road has two scenic overlooks near each other at 1.0 miles. The second overlook is where the Burnt Hickory Loop crosses Kennesaw Mountain Road and looks directly at Little Kennesaw Mountain. There is a small parking lot at the trail intersection.
Kennesaw Mountain Road ends at a parking area with a wall on the south side. This wall creates the "Georgia Overlook," which has a plaque dedicating it to Georgia generals who fought in the Civil War. This overlook was added in 1964, on the 100th anniversary of the battle and a refurbishing was completed in February, 1998.
Along the road are many unique moisture-loving plants, fed by numerous springs that pop-up from stone.
For more information on hiking with the park, see Trails of Kennesaw Mountain
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