Atlanta: Gold Branch Trail

You won't find gold on this 3.5-mile loop, but the hilly hemlock forests, the singing swans, and the sunbathing turtles at Bull Sluice Lake are priceless.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.

Trail Facts

  • Distance: 5.6

Waypoints

GBT001

Location: 33.9843406677246, -84.3854598999024

Head E toward brown kiosk and turn L; descend worn stairs into thick forest lush with chestnut and hemlock trees

GBT002

Location: 33.9840393066406, -84.3841934204102

Cross sturdy boardwalk bridge over faint creek

GBT003

Location: 33.9839324951172, -84.3835525512695

L @ 3-way onto Gold Branch Trail; slight views of Bull Sluice Lake while weaving through hills

GBT004

Location: 33.9861793518066, -84.381950378418

Straight @ 3-way; check views over calm and muddy waters of Bull Sluice Lake teeming with crappie, perch, and trout

GBT005

Location: 33.9881401062012, -84.3796234130859

Hard R @ 3-way for steep climb to knoll; clearing offers glimpse at swans on lake and the ragged profile of the Chattahoochee National Forest

GBT006

Location: 33.9855499267578, -84.3797836303711

L @ T (still Gold Branch Trail); more uphill ahead

GBT007

Location: 33.9832000732422, -84.3805465698242

L @ 3-way down steep hill; carefully hop on submerged rocks over slow-flowing stream

GBT008

Location: 33.9819602966309, -84.3777008056641

Straight @ 3-way; climb another angled knoll with tree roots for footholds

GBT009

Location: 33.9766693115234, -84.3768768310547

Straight @ 3-way; stroll along water and spy through brush at ducks in the shade and turtles crawling through mud. Caution: Watch for braided roots, fallen branches

GBT010

Location: 33.9738693237305, -84.3841400146484

Bear down for last climb; trail starts steeps and levels off

GBT011

Location: 33.9793128967285, -84.3821640014648

L @ 3-way; trail becomes a spacious, well-traveled path in a flat, open area

GBT012

Location: 33.981819152832, -84.3824462890625

Straight @ 3-way; close loop @ WPT 3 and return to trailhead