Georgia Trail Summit kicks off in days.
March 26, is the deadline to reserve your hotel room at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Single and double rooms are only $124 plus tax. By Thursday, March 27, any unreserved rooms will be released since it’s a busy sports weekend in Athens.
Don’t hesitate. Join the conversation with:
- 5 terrific speakers and 28 expert facilitators to lead interactive discussions on trail topics you select on Friday; and
- 7 chances to get out on a local trail hiking, biking, canoeing, horse riding, at our Saturday workshops (detailed below, sign-ups handled onsite);
and the chance to connect with the amazing community of people working on trails in Georgia. Reserve your room at Hilton Garden Inn, park your car, and walk, bike, ride, paddle the rest of the weekend. This convenient hotel is across the street from the Classic Center (summit site) and 2 blocks from the greenway. Parking is onsite.
7 Saturday workshops
Bike: Greenway Connectivity, Micro and Macro
Bike the paved North Oconee River Greenway with Brent Buice & Tyler Dewey while learning about planned connections, physical transitions between facilities, and multi-modal tie-ins. ~25 spots (You must bring your own bike ).
Horse ride: Ride the Trails at Sandy Creek Park
Enjoy a trail horse ride with Bobbie Byers of CTHA and regular riders who frequent Sandy Creek Park and learn about the partnership of trail users who worked long hours to remove all the downed trees after big tornadoes. Visit the picnic table at the trails end for all users to enjoy. ~15 spots (You must bring your own horse).
Walk: Athens Music History Walking Tour
We’ve arranged a special spin on this extremely popular tour. You’ll learn about the extensive musical history of Athens (e.g., REM trestle, Nuci’s Space, Weaver D’s) while discussing the ins and outs of how it was put together so you can go home and create your own themed historic walking tour. 20 spots (min 10).
Hike: Cook’s Trail, According to Cook
Cooks Trail is the 4.1-mile centerpiece of the Sandy Creek Greenway. Master Trail Builder Walt Cook, will describe how the trail was envisioned over 30 years ago and how he designed and built it with hundreds of volunteers over four years. John Purcell of Cobb Co. P&R assists. Prepare for muddy trail conditions. 30 spots.
Paddle: GA Water Trails Paddling Adventure
Join Georgia River Network’s Gwyneth Moody for a leisurely paddle on the North Oconee River and learn about State Water Trails and how you can get involved in the development of a water trail in your community. Beginners are welcome. Dress for the weather with clothes you don’t mind getting wet. No cotton, Bring water, snacks and sunscreen. 15 spots (Sit on Top Kayaks provided by Broad River Outpost).
Hike: Discover the Trails and Grounds at the State Botanical Garden
Experience the great hiking, running, and water trails available at the State Botanical Garden. Andie Bisceglia will discuss the history of the 313 forested acres at the Botanical Garden and where this great resource is headed in the future including a connection to the Athens Greenway. Enjoy a short walk through the gardens and forest trails, as Andie points out some favorite hidden spots and the future kayak/canoe stop on the Oconee River Water Trail. 20 spots.
Bike: Mountain Bike Ride/Learn/Build
Athens recently got its first official off-road bicycling trail and Stephen Lush is the ambassador to introduce you to it. You may have caught his trail video filmed onsite. Either way, experience/ride the trails in person, learn how they were planned and approved, and help build some more! ~25 spots (You must bring your own bike ).
