Name: Chicopee Woods Bridge and Lake Loop
Rating: 4

Hikes Map Explore

Chicopee Woods Bridge & Lake Loop Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve, GA

LENGTH 4.9 MILES

DIFFICULTY 4.8 Easy

DURATION 2-3 hours

ELEVATION GAIN

700

feet

TRAIL TYPE

Loop

Chicopee Woods Bridge & Lake Loop

Take an enjoyable trip around the Chicopee Woods two largest loops to experience the best of what this trail system offers. While you won't find long-range vistas or tumbling waterfalls, you will find yourself crisscrossing multiple creeks and navigating around a small lake. These trails don't provide much challenge but are extremely well maintained and well marked with blazes and maps at every intersection.

There are two parking areas, one for each loop. Neither have restrooms. The Science Center has restrooms during operating hours. The Bridge Loop begins at either end of the parking lot on Elachee Dr. You could also park at the Science Center and take connecting trails. At the lake parking lot, the trail begins at either the far right corner of the lot or just inside the gate to the left of the entrance heading behind the buildings.

This loop is a combination of the Bridge Loop and the Lake Loop. Since you can begin from different starting points and take any route you want, there really are no specific directions. All intersections have trail markers and maps and the trails are all well blazed, so getting lost shouldn't be a concern no matter where you start from. Just follow the green and orange blazes. The two loops overlap for .4 miles and it's along this section you'll find the suspension bridge. You can see it from the western intersection of the two loops so you shouldn't miss it.

Chicopee Woods Bridge and Lake Loop.
Parking lot at the end of Elachee Drive. The trail begins at either end of the parking lot.

Chicopee Woods Bridge and Lake Loop.
Many small bridges cross creeks along both loops.

Chicopee Woods Bridge and Lake Loop.
A towering tree near the start of the Bridge Loop.

Chicopee Woods Bridge and Lake Loop.
All intersections have posted maps and blazed trail markers.

Chicopee Woods Bridge and Lake Loop.
The suspension bridge crosses the creek along the section of trail where the Bridge and Lake loops combine, but you'll see it even if taking this longer loop route.

Chicopee Woods Bridge and Lake Loop.
Crossing over the suspension bridge.

Chicopee Woods Bridge and Lake Loop.
Stone steps blend into the surrounding forest.

Chicopee Woods Bridge and Lake Loop.
A short boardwalk section gets you over a marsh area that feeds into the lake.

Chicopee Woods Bridge and Lake Loop.
Chicopee Lake views.

Chicopee Woods Bridge and Lake Loop.
Chicopee Lake.

Chicopee Woods Bridge and Lake Loop.
Chicopee Lake parking lot. The trail begins at the far right end of the parking lot or on the left at the entrance. If not parking here, just follow the sidewalk along the parking lot to continue along the loop.

Chicopee Woods Bridge and Lake Loop.
Crossing over another peaceful creek.

Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)

Slope Breakdown

Elevation Gain

Elevation Range

Grade Range

Length

Elevation Gain

0 - 250 ft/mi

~ 0 - 5 %

1.6 mi

136 ft

250 - 500 ft/mi

~ 5 - 10 %

0.7 mi

250 ft

500 - 750 ft/mi

~ 10 - 15 %

0.4 mi

235 ft

750 - 1000 ft/mi

~ 15 - 20 %

460 ft

74 ft

1000+ ft/mi

~ 20+ %

272 ft

62 ft

Elevation Loss

Elevation Range

Grade Range

Length

Elevation Loss

0 - 250 ft/mi

~ 0 - 5 %

0.9 mi

118 ft

250 - 500 ft/mi

~ 5 - 10 %

0.8 mi

290 ft

500 - 750 ft/mi

~ 10 - 15 %

0.4 mi

218 ft

750 - 1000 ft/mi

~ 15 - 20 %

451 ft

76 ft

1000+ ft/mi

~ 20+ %

168 ft

41 ft

Terrain Map Click to control map

Details

length4.9 miles

difficulty4.8 Easy

duration2 - 3 hours

features Lake River/Stream

trail typeLoop

blazeGreen (Bridge Loop), Orange (Lake Loop)

elevation gain700 ft.

state Georgia

park/forestChicopee Woods Nature Preserve

visitor infoElachee Nature Science Center
2125 Elachee Drive
Gainesville, GA 30504
770-535-1976

hours7am-sunset (Hiking Trails)
10am-5pm, M-Sa (Science Center Mar-Nov)
10am-3pm M-F (Science Center Dec-Feb)

parking fee$5/Day, Annual passes available

trailhead coordinates 34.244116, -83.833263 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°14.65, W 83°50 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 34°14'39'', N 34°14'39'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)

Trailhead Directions

N 34°14.65, W 83°50

Google Map It

The trail can be accessed at either end of the parking lot. You can also park at the Elachee Nature Science Center and use connecting trails or at the Chicopee Lake Parking lot at 2100 Calvary Church Road. At the lake, the trail begins in the far right corner of the parking lot or behind the building on the left at the entrance. The paved path heads out to the lake.

Parking Capacity

30 parking spots at the Elachee Drive Lot, 50 parking spots + 4 RV/Bus spots at the Lake Lot

Notes

Dogs are no longer allowed at the park.

Restrooms are only available at the Science Center during operating hours.

Nearby Hikes

Chicopee Woods Bridge Loop

2.8 mi

2.7

Chicopee Woods Trail System

1.7 mi

1.2

Chicopee Woods Lake Loop

2.9 mi

2.6

Little Mulberry Ravine, Woodland, and Beech Tree Loop

Similar Hikes

Pine Log Creek Trail System

4.7 mi

5.9

Cooper's Furnace Trail System

3.3 mi

3.9

Raven Rock Double Loop

Jarrard Gap & Slaughter Creek Loop

5.7 mi

7.6

Reviews / Comments

Average Review Rating

4 (3)

New Review New Comment

Gainesville_man-3 years ago

Great trail system BUT no longer Dog "friendly"

As of January 1, 2021, pets of any kind are no longer permitted on the trail system, parking lots, or any part of the Chicopee Woods or Elachee campus. Check the website before venturing out to see if the policy may have changed to permit taking for your dog on a walk through the trail system.

Easy-Medium | Hiked Winter 2021

hikethesouth-4 years ago

Perfect way to get lost for a couple hours

This is a great little trail system. No real major features other than a small lake and a suspension bridge, but the trails are very well marked and maintained. Just a great set of forest trails to get out of the sun and enjoy the sights and sounds of the woods.

Easy | Hiked Spring 2020

AtlasFire-4 years ago

Nice laid back hike

This hike was fairly easy with only a few strenuous hills that are very short lived. Saw a few blazers jogging the entire loops so it’s very laid back. The small lake has a few covered pavilion areas accessible by wooden bridges. There’s a cool suspension bridge connecting the two loops in the center of the park. Ran across quite a few snakes make sure you guys keep your eyes open!

Easy-Medium | Hiked Spring 2020

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Disclaimer: Hiking can be dangerous. The information on this site is meant as a guide and represents trail conditions at a given time. Always let someone know where you are going. A basic knowledge of first aid, backcountry navigation, and some common sense are highly encouraged. The difficulty and duration ratings are subjective and will not be representative of everyone's experience.

Disclaimer Disclaimer: Falling off a cliff, drowning in a river, or being eaten by a bear is still a better way to go than dying of a heart attack while sitting in traffic on the way to the office.