DO IT: Hiking - Old Shoals Creek Trail – Etowah Trail

Etowah Trail & Sutallee Trace Greenspace Corridor

Initially a Bicentennial project for Cherokee County, the Etowah Trail & Sutallee Trace Greenspace Corridor is a trail system on a strip of undeveloped woodland that borders the swift-flowing Etowah River. The land is owned by the U.S. Corps of Engineers and the Cherokee County Water and Sewer Authority and is managed by the DNR as a Wildlife Management Area.

The trail system is anchored by the Trace Trail and Historic Trace Trail, which overlap in sections. The Historic Trace Trail was used by the early settlers of Cherokee County. The Trace Trail starts just north of Cherokee High School in Boiling Park. From there it leads northeast for about three-quarters of a mile before curving to the west along a section of the Etowah River. The majority of Trace Trail runs westward from this curve, and all the system’s loops and trails originate on Trace Trail.

There are two options for accessing the trail system. Hikers can park at Boiling Park, walk down the gravel path to the back of the park to reach the Boiling Park Trailhead. From here follow the white blazed Trace Trail to access all other trails. Trace Trail can also be accessed from the New Hightower Church Trailhead, which is 2.1 miles down Trace Trail from the Boiling Park Trailhead.

All trails named after a color are blazed with that color.

Old Shoals Creek Trail

Starting at the New Hightower Church Trailhead and running northeast to the top of the greenspace corridor, the Old Shoals Creek Trail leads to the Rock Creek Trailhead. Around three fourths of a mile from the New Hightower Church Trailhead, the trail crosses the Orange Trail. A third of a mile after that intersection, the trail moves onto private property.