Great trail with amazing views. We did the long loop around the whole park. It was more difficult than some of the other river trails in the area but worth it. Make sure you have athletic clothing and good shoes because you'll get sweaty and some parts of the trail are steep and narrow. I also noticed a lot of people carried walking sticks.

This has been one of my ideal go-to, local hiking spots for a long time - it is spectacular. I never grow tired of it and it is exceptionally maintained. I have never seen a speck of trash anywhere on it and the sights along the Chattahoochee are so nice. It gets crowded quickly though and the trails are narrow so bear that in mind before embarking. Also keep in mind the parking lot is very small, fitting maybe only a dozen or so cars max, which also reinforces my strong suggestion to come early, although I recommend that anyway because the sunrise on the river will make your jaw drop. It is set in the backyard of a few suburban neighborhoods and I had one instance where I ran into a loose dog running around the trail, but it wasn't aggressive and as I didn't make eye contact it lost interest quickly and left, but bear that in mind if you have kids or a dog of your own (I wouldn't worry about it, again it was a single encounter a while ago). I would consider the trail moderate to strenuous depending on your fitness level. Again, the trail is very narrow especially along the bank and there are rocks to climb over and steep hills to climb. It is 3.3 miles around but very nicely paced and organized by numerical markers that make it very hard to get lost so don't worry about that and just enjoy all it has to offer. You will not regret this visit.

Oh, adventurous spirits, lend me your ears let me enthrall you with a tale of a trail that will make your heart soar with delight and paint a smile on your face. It is a place where the colors of autumn still dance. Let me introduce you to Gold Branch Trail. As you set foot upon this magical pathway, you'll find yourself engulfed in a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues, as if nature herself decided to wear her finest coat of many colors. The trees, adorned with leaves like a painter's palette, create a canopy overhead, casting patches of dappled light upon the forest floor. Each step forward unravels a new spectacle of oranges, reds, and golds, leaving you breathless, mesmerized. It's as if the wildlife and trees have choreographed a dance just for you, a symphony of nature's elements coming together in perfect harmony with the rustling leaves underfoot. As you walk, take a moment to rest upon the moss-covered boulders and fallen trees that dwell upon the surroundings of the path forward. Let the peaceful stillness permeate your soul, transporting you to a realm where worries are but a passing breeze. Embrace the magic of this place, let your imagination run wild, for here, the veil between reality and dreams is tantalizingly thin. The trail, ever meandering, leads you deeper into the heart of nature's theater. With each bend and turn, you uncover new treasures, hidden nooks where the beauty of the season is magnified. The air is crisp, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and sweet decay, the musky perfume of autumn. As the trail winds to a close, your heart will be filled with an indescribable joy, for you, dear traveler, have witnessed the dance of nature in all its glory. Gold Branch Trail is a gateway to a world of whimsy, where the colors of fall and the gentle music of nature conspire to heal your heart and rejuvenate your spirit. So, grab your coziest sweater, tie those sturdy hiking boots, and embark upon this soulful journey. Let the trail weave its spell, and may your heart forever be captivated by the magic nature beholds. ✨✨🍂♾️

What a great place! I’m so glad we find this trail! Great wooded and riverfront trails. I’d rate it Medium intensity, roots on the trail and a few narrow spots along the riverbank.

I can’t believe I didn’t know this existed. We hiked the 3.8 mile loop that edges the Chattahoochee. It was a gorgeous hike. There were some tricky rock and drainage crossings. It was wet but it’s been raining nonstop in GA. There are plenty of shorter trails and cut through a and the trails are well marked. There aren’t restrooms at the trailhead so plan ahead. There are typical parking fees as well but this trailhead is cash only. SUPPORT THE CHATTAHOOCHEE AND BUY THE YEAR PASS YA BUMS.

This was a great hike. We did the Perimeter of the whole trail. The trail gets a bit narrow at times, especially at certain parts close to the water. But makes for a moderate hike. Wearing the proper hiking shoes or boots would certainly help. Seems like some people get in the river here too. Even came across a tree that's in the river now that had a ladder that was probably an old rope swing. Great part of the Chatahoochee River Parks would definitely recommend. And if you don't want to do the whole 3.something mile hike around the perimeter there are plenty of other routes to make your hike different/shorter.

My first time at this place was great. I felt like the trails and the segments were well mapped. I liked how I could make my hike as long or as short as I wanted to by piecing together the various segments. I am not a runner, but for runners, I would recommend avoiding the outer perimeter by the river, since it's very narrow and lots of rocks and roots sticking out. For a hiking, it was very manageable. There are no public restrooms at this location so unless you want to go in the woods, go before you come here.

Gold Branche Trail is a part of Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area with easy parking off Lower Roswell Road in Marietta. Parking is not free, it is based on honor system with no parking attendant. the fee is $3 per car unless you have National Parks Pass. The area is across the river from Morgan Falls. There are multiple shaded trails and loops allowing you to decide how long to hike. The terrain is little hilly but not strenuous to walk. Some of the trails go along the river with beautiful views.

Really nice trails with options for long or short treks. Very scenic views of water. I would recommend sturdy shoes or hiking shoes as the terrain is pretty rough in some areas and it can be easy to roll your ankle if you aren't careful. In June, most of the trail is covered with trees so you get to walk in shade most of the time. Great trail to do with friends and dogs.

I haven't visited all of the CNRA trailheads yet, but of the 5-6 that I have visited, I think Gold Branch has the most challenging trails. A 2.5 mile hike here will leave me exhausted and satisfied. My dogs love hiking out to swim in the river. And the best part, I've never seen it crowded. My favorite CNRA trailhead.

The trail is almost entirely shaded. Great spot for chill running on a hot sunny day. The trails are well marked so you can explore without fear of getting lost.

Nice hike. The views of the lake are beautiful on a clear day. The trail is rocky and has a lot of roots so wear sturdy shoes. The trail narrows on some parts and has steep drop offs so watch your footing and hang onto the kiddies. The trail parking lot fills up quickly on the weekends. Enjoy!

The park is a beautiful, heavily wooded area much of which fronts the lake. The trail is pretty well marked but there are some spots you wonder if you've strayed off the trail. It was not what we would consider crowded on Sunday morning, though the parking lot was full. Nice hiking!

A great place for the seasoned or mid level hiker. Not sure the longer stretches are for new hikers as some of the trails are steep. Beautiful views of the lake are your reward.

Pretty much a giant nature trail loop with a few cut-throughs. Takes about 2 hours to complete. You can catch many glimpses of the river through the overhang of tree branches. A few footbridges crossing over small streams make things interesting. The most unexpected thing out there was an old rusted car. How it got there, I can't imagine. Only one picnic table was present by the parking lot so get there early if you want it!

The trail is well marked and there’s a nice parking area at the trailhead, but I didn’t really like it. There are tree roots on the vast majority of the trails so you spend more time looking at your footing than on the beauty of nature around you.

The best trail to connect with nature! Beautiful, rarely crowded and mostly shaded. Always a peaceful hike! Visit as often as you can. This one is transformative!

Great trails. Maps were very clear. Great scenery.

Good 3.5 mile loop trail by the river (reservoir) and thru the woods, moderately easy except for a couple short intense climbs. See if you can find the shot-up car wreck at 33.97745, -84.38495 just off the trail.

You walk by the river for most part and hence very refreshing, trail is of moderate difficulty. Things to keep in mind is that parking space is very limited and park opens after 9 and closes by 5, which doesn't make sense during summers where there is daylight till 9 p.m .

Good hike. Not too strenuous, but not a flat walk either. Good to take kids and the dogs

It's been years since we've been down these trails, now today again with renewed vigor.

Great woodland trail with hills, water, rocks and views. Lots of trail options to choose the length and adventure of the trek.

Great hiking area.

Trail was great, however this is no longer a hidden gem. Trail was packed today, but it was also a beautiful Feb day!

Great hike by the river

Always great, and shaded. Also good for social distancing - not too crowded.

Always a great hike

Moderate trail that meanders around the lake.

Rugged and remote feel hiking trails with scenic views of Bull Sluice Lake.

Great place for 🥾. Parking can get full at times but that just shows you how nice of a place it is. We have even seen deer running around the parking lot and got a few pictures. They really try and maintain as much as possible on the trail

did the outer trail, it nice experience, especially along side the river.

I love the outer loop of this hike, many unexpected ups and downs… and some places a bit on the rugged side. Definitely a must

Scenic trails, nearly complete shade. Trails are well marked. Great spot for runners, dogs, kids. Been coming here for over 10 years and erosion has made some trails narrower and exposed some roots. My 72yo mother is in good shape but I probably would take her to some other trails along the River as this is one of the more challenging ones.

The scenery on the trail by the lake is very pretty, but the trail is pretty heavily eroded in some places walking close to the lake & there are difficult areas where walking on tree roots to cross the path while you try not to fall in the lake is required. Wear appropriate hiking footwear.

Nice trail I only hiked a little of it in the spring and there were a lot of bees and big ants and a really bad smell like maybe a dead animal not sure but you need to pay some money for parking so bring like 5 dollars in cash.

This is my first time to this trail it was really good. The have maps so it is really easy to mark places. We can walk by the lake it is really relaxing. We took kids along with us they really enjoyed it.

It's getting a bit more crowded as people are discovering this gem. Small parking lot, which is often monitored. Multiple options of trails. My favorite is to hug the water line.

Beautiful scenery! Never too crowded. Could customize the hike depending on the time available. Generally adequate parking.

Great trail, a lot of water and nice hiking areas. Can be shortened if needed but we managed to complete it with too many challenges with 3 years old kids

Harder than I thought on the perimeter trail. Rough terrain. Make sure you we are good hiking shoes.

It is a lovely hiking area , all the way coming with river , I suggest take some precautions and have some equipment, very narrow road and some place like rocks climbing but you can do it. Almost 4 miles

Parking lot is small, so try to avoid busy times.

One long loop with plenty of trails branching off back in the direction of the parking lot, providing many options for your hike. Great views of the water. Stop and look around your feet in this park. There's a lot of life happening around you.

Nice hike

Hidden gem, nice afternoon hike.

Make sure you all update the hours when the park is closed due to COVID or make it clear on the website.

Great quick hike by the river, not too technical, easy, but rewarding.

Clean and worth the walk

Awesome and challenging trail with beautiful views of the chattahoochee river.

Great hill to increase hike effort. Plenty of room

Extensive loop trails. Frontage on bull sluice lake and chattahoochee river.

Great trail

Fun little park to move about, definitely bring you pets and its fun walk. Saw few dogs just cooling off the tiny creeks lol

What a lovely trail! Lots of opportunity to get close to the water.

Nice place for a hike with some hilly parts.

Loved this trail! Lots of water and lots of glitter!!!