Running on Stone Mountain

photo credit: Doug Urquhart

If you live in Atlanta and are looking for the ultimate training zone within a 30 minute drive you should be giving Stone Mountain some thought. Although this popular tourist destination offers one of the best views in Georgia attained via an uber-traveled summit trail or gondola it has a lot to offer the high adventure enthusiast. Due to it's popularity this attraction would not normally be considered a great running spot, but the popularity of the main trail seems to be limited to peak hours and the park is open way before sunrise and well after sunset offering a great training ground for alpine inclines, night skills, technical rock and root work, and agility. While one side of the mountain offers a mural apparently representing some kind of significant historical event the opposite side is home to a trail runners playground. Not only can you get in a hill repeat from hell but also practice off camber traverses, super sticky downhill sprints, and access a loop trail that shall be covered on a whole other post.

Photo Credit: Doug Urquhart

If you've ever hoped for a trail with the same breadth as a street the main trail is where its at. If you've ever dreamed of a football field of granite with every degree of incline imagineable, the trails leading off to the right after you pass the halfway house may serve you well.

There is a positive to having so much traffic to deal with on the main summit trail. It offers you the ability to practice passing without risking anything from running off trail and you won't be contributing to erosion by doing so. This is especially nice on the downhill on which if you wish to you can fly. The climb kicks off from the main parking area and maintains the solid granite cut all the way to the top. It's quick but repeats are easy as you can regroup at the full service facilities on the summit and at the trailhead. If you're new to trails you may enjoy the super solid surface here and company plus there are emergency phone stations along the way. If you've been at it for a minute and want to taste something different you should take on the trails to the right.

!! THIS AREA WOULD BE ◆◆ OR RESTRICTED DUE TO THE DANGEROUS TERRAIN AND GRADE !! 
!! BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND SKILL LEVEL !!

Photo Credit: Doug Urquhart

This part of the park offers an amazing array of features which provide a seemingly endless combination of training alternatives. If you need uphills you can get your uphills at whichever grade you choose. Downhills are quick but make sure to scout your drop. If you want to mix it up on some boulders there are a few gardens that offer some great gaps to get in some plyometrics. In between play areas you'll find yourself weaving through moss covered, boulder littered oasis' that are all contrasted by a broad spectrum of pastel lichen growth. As you weave through the terraced steps of granite and wander by rock cairns and other functional stone structures you almost forget you're just outside of a major city until you turn around to experience one of the best skyline views of the entire extended metropolis that is Atlanta and its suburbs. As you descend from this area you will inevitably cross back over the train tracks and should find access to the Cherokee Trail which I will save to discuss in another post.

Photo Credit: Guy Thorsby

Not only does the mountain offer a great running substrate but it also provides a wonderful mix of landscape. This massive chunk of granite can provide you hours of quality ups and downs with plenty of space to get around and be free to train as you like. I have yet to have the summit to myself but have had no trouble finding solitude enough to practice yoga even in the most popular part of the park.


Thanks to Doug for shootin'. Make sure to check out the trailer to his most recent personal project @ mountainsinmotion.ca