This area marks the PATH Foundation's "200th Mile of Trail". The PATH Foundation has been building a network of off-road trails in and around Atlanta for walkers, runners, cyclists and skaters for more than 25 years. This system of scenic greenways preserve our region's forested character and offer opportunities for families to enjoy nature together. PATH has made significant progress toward building Georgia a network of trails, including: The Silver Comet, Stone Mountain, Lionel Hampton, South Peachtree Creek, Westside, Arabia Mountain, Chastain Park, Whetstone Creek, and South River Trails.
The Rockdale River Trail connects to the South River Trail and the Arabia Mountain Trail. These trails wind through the beautiful communities and natural settings that are now protected by the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. The winding and sometimes hilly trails are perfect for hiking and biking.
The adjacent pedestrian bridge over the South River is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the southeast. It is fabricated using Corten steel, which was developed to form a stable rust-like appearance when exposed to the weather for a few years. It does not need painting, saving thousands of dollars in maintenance cost over the life of the bridge. It also blends in well with the environment.. The most famous Corten steel bridge is the interstate bridge over the New River Gorge in West Virginia.
PATH completed the installation of the 520 foot-long bridge over the South River with funding from the Transportation Enhancement Program administered by the Georgia DOT and matching funds from Rockdale County. Shortly after, PATH opened the last five miles of the Rockdale River Trail connecting South Rockdale Community Park to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit.
View of the bridge from the other side of the river.
Snapshot taken from the bridge showing the sitting and viewing area.
Snapshot taken from the sitting and viewing area with the bridge in the background.
"We believe the trail system within the Heritage Area will become as popular as the Silver Comet over time. A trip to the Heritage Area offers more than a long, straight hike or bike ride. This trail is hilly and curvy and visits abandoned quarries, vast wetlands, and the 2200 acre Monastery of the Holy Spirit. You can hike through Panola Mountain State Park or fish at Alexander Lake. You can explore the area on one of many guided tours offered by the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. Much of the trail follows the South River with seating areas overlooking noisy shoals along the river. This is much more than a biking destination!" - noted in A Secret No Longer
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Parking is available at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit parking lot, Lorraine Elementary School parking lot (weekends only) or Lorraine Park and Trailhead parking lot
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Cell service will be limited in various areas on the AMNHA Geo-Path. If you are using your cell phone, you can download the cache info to your phone and travel the trails using the offline mode.
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Come explore the Arabia Mountain PATH and earn trackable prizes along the way!
The AMNHA Geo-PATH is a geocaching program spread along the entire 30+ miles of the Arabia Mountain PATH hike/bike trail. We have over 60 geocaches just waiting for you to find.
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See additional waypoints for parking coordinates, points of interests and trailheads.
Each cache is classified in one of following series:
Arabia Mountain Adventures
Lands Less Visited
Lithonia's Historic Hike
Panola Mountain Pathways
Past and Present Passages
South River Stroll
Download the passports to collect the passwords:
Geo-Path Passport
Lands-Less-Visited Passport
Past and Presents Passages Passport
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