Haw Creek Trail

This is a great beginners hike or a nice morning hike for those of you who want to say good morning to Mother Nature and get home early for your Memorial Day plans.

There is a new and somewhat undiscovered park in Forsyth County. It is located between Cumming and Buford and is really convenient to Gwinnett County, Roswell, Alpharetta and points North on GA 400. The trail is about 3.3 miles and there is not much elevation. It's mostly shaded with a few brief jaunts in the sun. We walk along a path that parallels a utility easement and that has us out in the sun for just a short time. There is no poison ivy on the trails but some off to the sides. It's very, very easy to avoid. The trail is a multi use hike/bike trail and hikers are to walk the loop in the opposite direction of bikers. These trails have the positivies of mountain bike trails - lots of twists and turns but none of the negatives - narrow, rooty, washed out. These trails are nice and wide and easy on the feet while the park is packed with scenery. This trail does not see tons of bike use and it is wide enough for us to step to the side when a bike comes through. You don't have to dive off of the trail in to the woods to avoid a biker.  There are three great playgrounds made of cool figures found in the woods. It's hard to describe but the equipment is bears, mushrooms, rocks and a couple of giant acorns...you can see some in the picture. The trails are very nice and wind through the woods with a little bit of them on a utility easement. I saw three deer and a snake out there today. This is a beautiful park.

I'll allow dogs on this hike but no more than two per person. Please keep in mind that you will have to get them to the side of the trail quickly if a bike approaches. Please no more than four dogs max on this hike and you will have to keep them leashed and pick up after them.

Parking is free. Clean restrooms are onsite. Please meet at the pavilion which is straight ahead as you pull in to the parking lot. The parking lot is big but the pavilion is very easy to spot.

Park info and trail map can be found here: http://www.forsythco.com/DeptPage.asp? DeptID=40&PageID=1590

The best way is to create your own directions from your starting point. Go to maps.google.com and paste the bolded text below directly in to the search bar. Then chose 'satelite view' for a birdseye view of the park.

34.16288, -84.10522

*there is no traffic light where you turn off of Buford Hwy (GA 20) on to Echols Rd. There will be a Pep Boys directly across the street from where you turn.

Physical address is:

2205 Echols Rd

Cumming GA

Sign for park: