Hiking Metro Atlanta’s Hidden Forests: An Hour or Less from Downtown

As hikers explore the woodland coves, creek-side trails, wooded hilltops, and rocky mountains contained in this guidebook, it’s easy to forget that every trail in this book is in a suburban neighborhood. While each of the more than sixty hikes described by Jonah McDonald and Zana Pouncey is within an hour drive of downtown, these hidden suburban forests transport hikers so much farther away.

Each route includes maps, complete hiking directions, trailhead location, and even public transit access information. There’s no need to drive to the mountains to get out on the trail. Hiking Metro Atlanta’s Hidden Forests lets you visit wildlife areas, nature preserves, and historic sites without venturing far beyond the perimeter.

Jonah McDonald (Author)
JONAH McDONALD arrived in Atlanta on foot over two decades ago. After completing his 2,172-mile southbound through-hike on the Appalachian Trail, he put down roots in Atlanta. Today he serves as the DeKalb County Park Naturalist at Mason Mill Park. He published the first edition of Hiking Atlanta’s Hidden Forests: Intown and Out in 2014. His second book, published in 2020, is titled Secret Atlanta: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. McDonald is also a storyteller, television host, and tour guide. Jonah loves exploring his city via bicycle or canoe or on foot and believes that there is a new story to learn and tell around every bend. When he’s not already on an adventure, he loves finding a new one.

Zana Pouncey (Author)
ZANA POUNCEY is a native southerner and has lived in Atlanta for morethan ten years. She loves city life with all her heart but is a passionate environmentalist at her core. Connecting people to nature is her calling. After graduating from Emory University with a degree in environmental science, Pouncey spent several years working in environmental advocacy and education for nonprofit organizations including Trees Atlanta, Zoo Atlanta, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden. She’s been awarded a Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship by the National Geographic Society, is on the board of the Atlanta Green Theater Alliance, has presented at environmental conferences and teacher workshops, and has written for National Geographic’s Education blog.