Looking for some solitude but something a little longer than the Yellow Loop at Sweetwater Creek State Park? Add the Orange Loop. Adding a little more difficulty and another 1.4 miles makes for an even nicer few hours at this busy park.

Like all the others, this double loop trailhead begins next to the Visitor's Center. Immediately the Yellow trail branches off to the left. However, when talking with a ranger, they suggested going down the Red trail to the creek, then turning left to walk upstream along Sweetwater Creek until reconnecting with the Yellow trail at about .4 miles in. This is how the route is described on their official maps as well.

Travelling upstream, cross Sweetwater Creek over a long bridge that offers nice views up and down the creek. Pay attention to the yellow posts, because you'll make a hard left immediately off the bridge, following the trail back down to the water's edge. Shortly after this, the trail splits to form the Yellow Loop.

Take either path, however, hanging right to go around counter-clockwise will be more challenging. Both directions climb over 300ft but this direction does so much more directly over .4 miles. At the high point, the Orange Loop Trail splits off and rejoins the Yellow Loop in a short span.

The Orange Loop is just as well marked as the Yellow. The trail follows the contours of the hillside with a few steep sections but mostly reasonable. If going counter-clockwise, the last section is along a dirt road. The only intersection here is right before rejoining the Yellow Loop. The road splits to the outside of the loop and the trail turns inward. Continue back down the Yellow trail to complete this double loop.

Also check out the other trails Sweetwater Creek State Park has to offer: Red and White Loop Red and White Double Loop Yellow Loop.