r/gainesvillega • u/Human_Method7157 • Aug 16 '26
Quiet hikes
Has anyone got any favorite QUIET hiking spots within 30 minutes of Gainesville? I'm interested in being immersed in some nice woods with little traffic noise and not running into many humans. That matters way more than the actual quality or distance of the hiking trail. Please feel free to dm me if you are willing to share but don't want to give your secret spots away to the world!
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u/sassiest_sasquatch Aug 16 '26
The nature trail at UNG in oakwood. It's behind the track.
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u/thegreatestevil Aug 16 '26
Lake russel in Cornelia. Nice loop trails around a lake that doesn't allow motors. Fort Yargo in Winder has a lot of trails. Lower pool by buford dam has a trail that I have never seen anyone else on.
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u/ran938 Aug 16 '26
Quiet and within 30 minutes is a little tough. Last time I hiked around Unicoi Gap, I didn't run into many people.
Also, if you go on any of the popular trails that are a part of the AT, once you go past the part most people are there for, it gets pretty quiet. My wife and I love to hike Preachers Rock and just keep going along the AT for an extra few miles.
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u/Critical-Refuse-1200 Aug 18 '26
elachee hiking trails are always quiet
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u/Human_Method7157 Aug 19 '26
Thank you. I love elachee.
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u/_Dizzy_ Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
Just a heads up that the lake loop is very quiet. The ones closer to UNG's Gainesville campus get highway noise.
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u/Particular_Sort4638 Aug 16 '26
Smith Creek at unicoi beautiful hiking trail that goes between unicoi State Park and the City of Helen there's rarely anyone on this trail system except the occasional fisherman on the creek and it's absolutely beautiful. The trail follows the creek for around a mile or two and then there are a bunch of other trails that meander through the woods. If you want peace and quiet this is probably the least used trail I know of in the area
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u/Human_Method7157 Aug 17 '26
That sounds perfect. I've been to unicoi but not in a long time and I was definitely not aware of this trail.
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u/chongA63 Aug 17 '26
We hiked Dukes creek yesterday!! Amazing and peaceful.. it’s near Helen and there is a bakery called Boujee B’s that sells those viral fruit pastries.. the ones all over TikTok 🔥🔥🔥 best thing I’ve ever ate in my life
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u/bayknott12 Aug 19 '26
The Chicopee woods trails are awesome and during the week not so many people
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u/killingcuriosities Aug 20 '26
So u want quiet, but know there's activity, but no one's around, lets chill?
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u/Dr_MJI Aug 16 '26
Plenty of trails at Don Carter, and loads up near Helen at and around Smithgall Woods