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Kennesaw Mountaintop Trail - (trail length 1.1 miles) - The Kennesaw Mountaintop Trail climbs from behind the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Visitors Center to the top of Kennesaw Mountain. The points along the trail are numbered 1 thru 8 (from the start of the trail). Mileage is noted from the bottom of Kennesaw Mountain.
 Rifle Pits - .1 mile
To prevent the main line from coming under a surprise attack, these rifle pits were dug before The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain . On June 27 ,1864 , the day of the battle, they were manned by the 1st Alabama. Although the sign calls the maneuver a feint, and others call it a demonstration, the force was actually probing the Kennesaw Mountain lines for weakness. General William Tecumseh Sherman was prepared to heavily reinforce the troops if any weaknesses were discovered.
- Mountain Springs - .2 mile
The springs on Kennesaw Mountain were the source of Marietta's first tourist boom in the 1840's. A man known as Dr. Cox promoted the "healthy waters" as a cure-all. Georgians from the coast would stop at his inn. Although they probably came to get away from the stifling heat of the bug-infested coast, Dr. Cox's cure did become renown. The springs continue for about 100 feet here and you will see more, especially on the paved road to the top. (Note: Drinking the water today is unsafe).
The path now turns right on a dirt road.
- Original Road - .4 mile
To see the road, face the sign and look at a 45 degree angle to the right. Then turn around and look about 45 degrees to the left. The bank of the present road destroyed some of the historic road. This road ran to a scenic view about .7 miles up the trail.
- Trenches - .5 mile
A numbered sign was missing on this stop when we last walked the trail in April, 1998. The trench can easily be spotted by looking for a small creek-like ravine running straight at an angle to the road. This is a portion of the trench that the road switches back on a number of times.
- Scenic Overlook - .7 mile
This overlook was a popular spot frequented by the Marietta elite . Here a side trail to the left leads to a short loop that has an sweeping vista to the south of Kennesaw Mountain. The original road ends here, however the men assigned to the Confederate artillery built a road to the top. Portions of the original road and the road to the top are visible on the right side of the path as you ascend the mountain (The best time to see them is winter).
As you continue climbing the path becomes paved. A few short steps brings you to the upper parking lot.
- Georgia Overlook -1.0 mile
This memorial, dedicated to the generals from the state, has just been completely refurbished. A plaque at the top shows each of the mountains visible from the platform.
- Gun Embankment - 1.0 mile
One of the few remaining original artillery earthworks, this and the others along this path were used by the Confederates to fire on the Federals below them.
- Signal Platform -1.1 miles
A complex signaling system was used to avoid the available telegraph since Confederate sympathizers would frequently cut the wires or listen in. It was from this platform that the Signal Corps sent word to General Corse in Rome to move to Allatoona Pass and fortify that position.
This is the end of the Mountaintop Trail. From this point on the trail is known as Burnt Hickory Loop .
 Burnt Hickory Loop Trail - (trail length 5 miles) - The Burnt Hickory Loop Trail starts from the top of Kennesaw Mountain with a difficult descent into a the gap between Big Kennesaw and Little Kennesaw, crossing Mountain Road, and an interpretive marker. After crossing the road, the trail becomes somewhat easier, at least until you gain the top of Little Kennesaw. Scenic views abound and the diverse hardwood forest makes this spectacular during the fall. From Little Kennesaw the path descends into what is best described as a gorge, separating the mountain from Pigeon Hill.
This steep, rocky descent can be difficult. The path has been repeatedly reworked in an effort to improve it. Over the past few years the National Park Service has added steps, ropes and railings where possible. Recently, the switchbacked drop to Pigeon Mountain has been completely redone, replaced by a straight-line trail that still drops quickly but is somewhat easier than the old switchback. At the end of the descent, turn right and continue to Pigeon Hill.
 The Pigeon Hill Trail was named for the extinct passenger pigeon that blackened the spring and fall skies before the 20th century, Pigeon Hill was a stop in the species migration to the upper midwest. All along this path entrenchments and earthworks are clearly visible. At the top of Pigeon Hill entrenchments can be spotted below the top on the west side of the hill. After the top of the hill a sign shows a picture taken of the area in October, 1864, shortly after the battle. A rock, visible in the picture, still sits as it was photographed 125 years earlier. Off in the distance both Pine Mountain and Lost Mountain are visible (Lost Mountain is the further, taller of the two). As the treadway descends across rock, watch for a brown sign on the left. This marks the loop back to the start of the footpath. Access to the return path from Burnt Hickory Road is possible, but not recommended because many people drive well above the speed limit here.
The road begins to rise and the trail makes a marked right turn, reentering the woods, then coming out into the full sun of an open field. The footpath skirts the field on the left, next to the woods, coming out on the left side of Mountain Road near the visitors center.
 Cheatham Hill Connector Trail - (trail length 2.6 miles) - Cheatham Hill Connector Trail begins south of Burnt Hickory Road, where a secondary Federal attack targeted the area south of Pigeon Hill, and running to Cheatham Hill, a rise where the Confederate Army withstood the toughest Federal attacks during The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain on June 27 ,1864 , this trail features widely varied environments and much Georgia history . This narrative is told hiking from Burnt Hickory Road. At the start of the Cheatham Hill Connector, just south of Burnt Hickory Road, the trail winds through an open field, passing between the lines of the Union and Rebel forces on that fateful day in 1864. As Federal troops advanced under the command of Brigadier General Andrew A. J. Lightburn, they overran the Georgia 63rd, which had formed a skirmish line near the path. New to battle, their commanding officer did not allow the skirmishers to fall back, instead ordering support from the main line. The result was devastating as losses in the regiment were high. Federal soldiers were turned back a few minutes later as they approached the hill east of the trail.
The trail, which follows an old road, ascends quickly to a ridgetop, than rises and falls over the first .3 miles of the ride through fields that alternate from open to woods. The trail then begins the easy-to-moderate descent to Noses Creek. At this point two side trails leave the Connector, the one on the right continuing south on a separate path to Noses Creek, the one on the left returning to Burnt Hickory Road about 300 yards east of the trailhead. The path to the right (Noses Creek) is moderate and is a less well used alternative to the bridge over the creek. Watch for entrenchments above you on the left if you ride south along this side trail. The path to the right also follows a set of entrenchments. On the descent to the creek the forest becomes dense and animal life abounds. South of the bridge the terrain begins a moderate climb to the Dallas Highway, which marks the start of gently rolling hills more typical of the Georgia Piedmont.
The Connector crosses Dallas Highway about .6 miles south of the bridge. This is a high-speed, dangerous road, and caution is advised. Once the road has been crossed the path passes through a split rail fence, then follows a low, level ridge to Cheatham Hill. The entire .8 miles from Dallas Highway to Cheatham Hill was the scene of heavy fighting during The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. To the east of the trail is the Confederate line, delineated by a number of cannon and historic markers. To the west are open fields that were covered with blue on the day of the battle. General Patrick Cleburne , known as the Stonewall Jackson of the West, defended this area. At the end of the connector the trail leads to Kolb's Farm Loop. It is highly recommended that you spend a few minutes at Cheatham Hill . This loop trail at the Illinois Monument interprets much of the heavy fighting that occurred in the area that became known as "The Dead Angle."
Unknown soldier on the Cheatham Hill Loop Trail. |
Cheatham Hill Loop Trail (trail length 1 mile) - No single hiking trail packs more history about the Civil War in Georgia than the Cheatham Hill Loop Trail. Within the first 1,000 yards of the trailhead was some of the most intense fighting anywhere in the state during the War Between The States. Turn off the busy Dallas Highway down a tree lined drive that is occasionally interspersed with wide fields. In this area on June 27, 1864, men under the command of Confederate Generals Benjamin Franklin Cheatham and Patrick Cleburne, two of the best generals on either side, withstood an assault of the Union Army that spanned almost two miles.
Besides the trail, three stops along the way provide additional interest. Just north of the Dead Angle (on the road to the parking area) are 4 stops including a set of cannon, the impressive Texas monument, an interpreted display on the interlocking defensive position of the Confederates and a fire that enveloped Union casualties resulting from an attack on Rebel positions. The commander of the Confederate forces ordered his men to cease fire as the bluecoats retreated, stood on top of the entrenchments and called to his adversaries to "Come and get your wounded. They are burning to death!" For a brief time both Confederate and Union soldiers worked to remove the injured. The leaders of the Union forces presented the Confederate commander with matching Colt .45 pistols the next day.
 Kolb's Farm Loop Trail (trail length 5.6 miles) - A wonderful trail through rolling hills with open fields full of wildflowers to attract songbirds, Kolb's Farm Loop has multiple entry points, including a heavily wooded parking area on Cheatham Hill Road and the lot for the Cheatham Hill Loop. This narritive is told from the lot on Cheatham Hill Road, heading south towards Peter Kolb's farmhouse , walking the loop in a counter-clockwise direction.
Open to both horses and hikers, Kolbs Farm Loop normally splits before a bridge, carrying horse riders away from the point where hikers cross. The trail is intended for horses to walk, not trot or gallup. Following the crossing, the horse and hiker paths rejoin. Frequently the path breaks out into full sun, especially while alongside one of the many fields on the west side of the hike. This loop trail is one of trails that comprise the 17.3 miles of hiking trails in Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park .
The trail begins at the south end of the parking lot, where a compacted clay trail takes you to a large rock that designates the trail. Turn right on the gravel road and walk around the gate, intended to keep cars from entering the trail. The pine/hardwood second-growth piedmont forest was the area where the Union line formed on June 27, 1864. From this point they would advance through their own line and attack the entrenched Confederates on Cheatham Hill to the east.
Initially the path climbs to what is the high point of the walk on a mostly shaded gravel road. From this point, at about 0.2 miles, the trail descends, sometimes sharply, to John Ward Creek. From the river valley the trail begins a moderate climb, broken by stretches that are level and downhill, for the next 0.8 miles.
 As the trail curves to the left it begins to parallel Powder Springs Road. Hikers are walking along the northern end of the Battle of Kolb's Farm battlefield. Union General William Tecumseh Sherman , trying to outflank Joseph Johnston , the Rebel commander, moved "Fighting Joe" Hooker's XX Corps south. General John Bell Hood , without orders, decided to attack the federals across an open field to the South. Although he lost many more men than the Union defenders Hood stopped the Union move to the south and forced Sherman into a frontal assault against the Confederate stronghold, Kennesaw Mountain.
Just before Cheatham Hill Road, Kolb's Farmhouse is across Powder Springs Road and visible from the trail. Built by Peter Valentine Kolb in 1836, the house features two sets of double chimneys. Referred to as Kulp's Farm in some Union dispatches, it was used by Hooker as Headquarters after the battle. As you descend to the roadway, turn right and carefully cross Powder Springs Road. A few feet south of the road is a small parking lot with historical markers. From this parking lot you can view the home, but do not approach the building - it is still a residence.
After crossing Cheatham Hill Road, the path climbs a set of stone steps and crosses into a field. Here, interpretive signs discuss the battle and a map gives an overview of the attack. Shortly after the map, Kolbs Farm Trail turns north and returns to Cheatham Hill. This portion of the treadway is significantly different than the western portion of the trail, following streams through deeply wooded areas and at one point nearing a development.
Again the trail falls to cross John Ward Creek and two tributaries. This portion of the trail can be flooded for a couple of days after a heavy rain. There is a marked alternate trail that climbs to a ridge on the left before Kolbs Farm Trail bears right and runs alongside the creek. Giving hikers an outstanding look at a typical north Georgia creekside environment where rich, wet soil is full of plant life.
From the creek the path begins a climb out of the river valley, reaching a three way intersection just south of Cheatham hill. To walk to the Cheatham Hill Loop, take the trail on your right. To continue to the Kolbs Farm Trail parking area, head straight on a trail that turns left as it leaves the triangle. At a second three-way intersection also take the trail straight-ahead that bears to the left. As you begin walking down the ridge you will pass through an earthwork along the "military crest" of the hill. From this point the trail falls into a valley, then begins a moderate to difficult, occasionally switched ascent to the Kolbs Farm Trail parking area.
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