Sope Creek

Nestled between Sope Creek and Paper Mill Road, Sope Creek Paper Mill’s ruins make an excellent escape from the suburban labyrinth of East Cobb and Northwest Sandy Springs. The park has over 3 miles of trails that are great places to go running, mountain biking, or hiking. The mill ruins themselves are the remains of the Sope Creek Paper Mill that was burned by Union Soldiers during the Civil War. Today it stands in the middle of upscale neighborhoods as a reminder of what Atlanta has bounced back from over the past 150 years.

The trail itself can be started in several places because the trail network connects to many more miles of trails at Cochran Shoals, which has access points along Columns Drive, Powers Ferry, and almost a dozen other access points from the neighborhoods surrounding the recreation area. Keep an eye out for which trails allow mountain bikers, and pay attention to what direction they are coming from because a downhill biker may not have a lot of time to slow down if you don’t notice them and step aside.

The tree canopy, a small lake, and a winding creek make for a peaceful getaway from city life, which is less than a 15-minute drive from much of Northern Atlanta. There are a multitude of connecting trails to allow you to make any kind of varied loop you want, depending on the distance.