Elachee Nature Center/Chicopee Woods – Gainesville, GA - 6.25 miles – Moderate
Details
Distance: Approximately 6.25 mi
Difficulty: Moderate
Group Hiking Pace: 2.5 – 3 MPH
Hike Start Time: 9:32 am
Parking Fee: $5.00
Elachee/Chicopee has a really nice trail system offering sections that walk along or above streams, a section that partially circles a lake, and even a 140’ suspension bridge to cross. That’s length BTW, not height, in case you were concerned. All this beauty, and the center sits just a few exits up 985 in Gainesville, GA. And ... we get to cross the bridge twice!😊
We will combine mainly two trails, the 2.91-mile Bridge Loop Trail, and the 3-mile Lake Loop Trail, forming a figure 8. To this we will add small segments of the yellow and red trails for a total of about 6.25 miles. The trails are mostly soft surface and are rated as moderate as there is some elevation to these, so please be prepared. Our pace will be about 2.5 to 3 mph. So, please be prepared for a little more than a stroll. We will take a couple of short breaks along the route.
We will meet at the entrance to the gravel parking lot dedicated to hikers. That lot is the first one you will see on the right as you cross over 985 on Elachee Dr. As always, I have placed the pin in the event map directly on the spot we will meet. So, if you link your device to that pin using google maps, big brother or sister will guide you to the proper meeting place.
The hike will start from the meeting place at 9:32 am. I do like to and will start on time so please do not be late for the consideration of all attendees.
Apologies to the pups, but dogs are not currently allowed on the trails. BOOOOO! 😟
Parking is $5.00 per vehicle and can be paid at the gated entrance to the park. I believe there is a porta potty in the parking lot and one along the route, but pls don't hold me to that.
Below are some helpful links. As always, if you have any questions in advance please let me know and I will do my best to answer them. Please note: the Alltrails link is not the exact trail we will be following but will give you a very good idea of what you are voluntarily getting yourself into.
Alltrails (general info about the trail itself):
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/georgia/west-lake-trail-to-east-lake-trail
Elachee Nature Center Trail Map:
https://www.elachee.org/hiking-trails/#routes
https://elachee.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/scaled-Chicopee-Woods-Hiking-Trail-Map-March-2022.pdf
Hope to see you there, and of course please remember that you will be participating entirely at your own risk as Suwanee Take-a-Hikers assumes absolutely no liability (nada, zero, zip, zilch, jack squat) for adverse events which may occur during meetups. Cheers! 😊