Trailblazer or ramblin' rose - Take a hike in the Peach State

Hiking enthusiasts are gearing up to start the 2,175-milentrek northbound along the Appalachian Trail before the middle of April.  The world-famous trail, with its white blazes marking the route from North Georgia's Springer Mountain, stretches through 14 states to Maine and takes an average of six months as a 'thru-hike'. Of the several thousand hikers that start the trail each year, only around 150 will make it to Maine's Mount Katahdin.

appalachiantrail.org/about-the-trail/terrain-by-state/georgia

For those with less time, visitors can find some of the USA's most beautiful hiking trails in the Peach State. Georgia Tourism has picked some favourites to suit visitors of all ages and interests, these include:

Blue Ridge

The more than 300 miles of hiking trails in the legendary Blue Ridge Mountains that traverse Georgia include 75 miles of the Appalachian Trail, which are all set within the Chattahoochee National Forest. Head to the Ocoee River - home to the 1996 Olympic Games whitewater events - and there's a 330-foot suspension bridge and a number of trails, including some suitable for visitors with limited mobility.

blueridgemountains.com

Also within the Chattahoochee National Forest, Vogel State Park offers the option of camping off the beaten track along some of its trails, which include the 12-mile Coosa Backcountry Trail.

georgiatrails.com/gt/Coosa_Backcountry_Trail

City escape

Just outside Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park offers a number of nature trails and other attractions that make this a great option for all the family.  A favourite hike is the one-mile ascent to the summit, which rewards effort with spectacular views that can stretch up to 60 miles across downtown Atlanta and towards the North Georgia Mountains.  The Summit Skyride also offers the convenient option of taking a cable car back down.

stonemountainpark.com

Waterfalls

The Amicalola falls are the highest in the Southeast, cascading some 729 feet amongst stunning scenery.  This popular park offers numerous different trails to see the falls, ranging from easy to a more challenging route that climbs the canyon via stairs. There's also an 8.5-mile access trek to the start of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain.

gastateparks.org/lodges/amicalola/

Tallulah Gorge's multitude of hiking options makes this one of the most visited parks in Georgia. The suspension bridge across the gorge, opened in 2004, enables adventure seekers to traverse the raging torrents, while many of the park's trails are short, accessible and offer breathtaking views, making it a great option for children.

gorges-to-visit.com/TallulahGorge.html

Beachcombing

South of the historic city of Savannah and a short ferry trip across the ocean from St Marys is the idyllic Cumberland Island -the largest of Georgia's barrier islands. Accessible only by boat, the island offers the tranquillity of wandering some 50-miles of hiking trails that wind through unspoilt forest, salt marsh and its famous 17-mile long beach.  A pair of binoculars is essential kit here: Cumberland Island is a bird spotter's paradise and is home to other wildlife including wild horses, armadillos and alligators.

cumberlandisland.com

Getting there and around

Hiring a car is the easiest way to make the most of any visit to Georgia.  Many national parks offer accommodation options ranging from well-appointed lodges, to rustic log cabins and campsites.

Visitors to Georgia can fly direct to Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, which is served by Delta Air Lines and British Airways. Delta offers three daily nonstop services from London's Heathrow Airport to Atlanta, as well as a daily nonstop from Manchester Airport.  British Airways flies daily nonstop from London Heathrow to Atlanta.