Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail

LOOP TRAIL LENGTH OPTION GUIDES

NOTE: All trails begin and end at Overlook Park area. All are easy to moderate difficulty. All descend from ridge to shoreline and back to Overlook Park. All are marked with white rectangular blazes on trees or rocks.

1 Mile Trail
Follow “Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail” signs and turn left at Emergency Trail to Parking Lot.

2 Mile Trail
Follow “Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail” signs, turning right at Kowaliga Bay Loop Trail for 1 mile. Then continue on Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail, turning left at Emergency Trail to Parking Lot.

3 Miles North Trail
Follow “Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail” sign, turning right at Chimney Rock Loop Trail for 2 miles. Then continue on “Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail”, turning left at Emergency Trail to Parking Lot.\

3 Miles South Trail
Follow “South Loop Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail”, turning left at “South Loop” sign on to Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail, continuing to end at south side of Overlook Park.

4 Mile Trail
Follow “Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail” signs all the way, ending at south side of Overlook Park.

5 Mile Trail
Follow “Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail” signs, turning right at Kowaliga Bay Loop Trail. Then continue on Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail all the way, ending at south side of Overlook Park.

6 Mile Trail
Follow “Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail” sign, turning right onto Chimney Rock Loop Trail for 2 miles, then continue right on Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail all the way, ending at south side of Overlook Park.

7 Mile Trail
Follow “Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail” signs, turning right onto Chimney Rock Loop Trail for 2 miles, then continue right on Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail, turning right on Kowaliga Bay Loop Trail for 1 mile. Then continue right on Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail all the way, ending at south side of Overlook Park.

THE DEADENING ALPINE TRAIL
“The Deadening” Alpine Trail is a 3.6 mile loop trail that is more challenging than the other trails created by CRATA, but also more rewarding. The cliffs of the Tallapoosa, the Needles Eye, and Jasmine Bluff are just a few of the unusual and unique rock formations that await the hiker. Spectacular vistas of Lake Martin, thickets of mountain laurel and rhododendron will delight the hiker.

WARNING: The Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association does not recommend children under 12 years of age hike this trail. They also recommend that children ages 12 to 14 years have strict adult supervision. There are cliffs and bluffs without safety barriers within 10 to 20 feet of the trail. A fall from these heights could result in critical injury or death. The trail is relatively safe as long as you stay on marked trail, but hiking by its very nature carries a certain amount of risk. The land owner or trail association is not responsible for any injury, accident, or adverse health event while on these premises or as a result thereof.

NOTICE: Stay on marked trails; any pets must be on leash at all times. No motorized vehicles, bicycles, horses or other pack animals allowed on trail. No alcohol, drugs, firearms, open fires or camping allowed. Please do not litter, deface trees or disturb plants, rocks or wildlife.

Enjoy your hike and hike safely.