The Cherokee Trail at Stone Mountain Park may be less travelled than the Walk Up Trail but this longer loop around Stone Mountain still draws plenty of hikers and runners. Good for families, only a short section of this trail has any difficulty. Don't forget to bring the doggo for this one.
As you enter the park you should be given a map. Since this trail loops around the mountain, you'll have numerous parking choices. The direction information on this page just begins where I decided to park, but almost all parking in the park is near this trail.
Half this hike runs within a few feet of the lake. Mostly flat, there are a few up and down. Some sections are a little rocky or rooty, but nothing too difficult. A few foot bridges and easily forded creek crossings dot this section as well. There are 3 road crossings, but visibility is good and traffic is slow so these are no trouble.
The other half of this hike sticks closer to the side of the mountain, crossing to the inside of the train tracks. If travelling counter-clockwise the trail makes a hard left on a gravel road before entering the Memorial Lawn area directly in front of the Confederate Memorial Carving, the world's largest bas-relief sculpture, depicting Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Jefferson Davis.
About half a mile of the trail climbs part way up Stone Mountain, crossing the Walk Up Trail and then descending the other side. This section is very steep and not just up and down, but sideways, making it significantly more difficult than the rest of the trail and hazardous when wet. Make sure to pay attention to the ground where the white blaze is painted on the bare rock to mark the way.