The Pocket Trail
Trails Georgia The Pocket Trail
Georgia · Walker County

The Pocket Trail

Loop along the Pocket

Rating
Length
2.6 mi
Difficulty
2
County
Walker

About This Trail

The Pocket Trail is a moderate 2.6-mile loop in Walker County, Georgia, that explores The Pocket Recreation Area within the Chattahoochee National Forest. The trail climbs through a beautiful mixed hardwood forest, passing impressive rock formations and offering glimpses of the surrounding ridges. The path features some elevation changes as it ascends and descends through the pocket, a natural amphitheater carved into the mountainside. Spring brings blooming wildflowers including trillium and may-apple, while fall transforms the forest with vibrant colors. The area’s name comes from its bowl-like topography, which creates a unique microclimate supporting diverse plant life. A nearby picnic area with tables and grills makes this an excellent spot for a day trip. The trail connects to other paths in the area, allowing hikers to extend their adventure into the surrounding national forest.

Location

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Coordinates: 34.606098175, -85.0749969482 Open in Google Maps

Getting There

From LaFayette, take GA 136 west approximately 10 miles. Turn right on Pocket Road and continue about 5 miles to The Pocket Recreation Area.

Trail Reports

The pocket trail

Day Hike October 31, 2021

And this trail is 9 miles long by the way. Up and down a mountain. Very steep and strenuous. Where do they get 2.5 miles?

Trail from hell

Day Hike October 31, 2021

This trail is not maintained at all. Over grown with briers, large patches of briers like seven feet tall. Parts are totally indiscernible, doesn't even seem like you're on a path at all. Thank God for the blue blazes painted on the trees. At least 6 fallen trees over the path. One tree trunk was chest high and I had to literally climb over it. Eight miles into it the trail abruptly ends in an huge open field. (stick to the left hand side and follow it around till you get to a place that looks like a tractor drives through there. There is no sign or anything telling you that's where the trail picks up.) You must be an experienced hiker with proper foot gear and supplies to be able to hike this trail. The so called "path" is very uneven and full of rocks. Bring three bottles of water, I sure wish I did. Watch out for an abundance of poison ivy and sumac. I'm a pretty fast walker and it took me five and a half hours to hike this trail. Very satisfying to finish it but I will never hike it again. It does however have a few good lookout spots off the mountain. Very scenic, very wild, not for the faint of heart.

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