Georgia · Hiking

Pinhoti Horse Alternative

1.5 mi
loop
122 ft
climb
1,065 ft
high point
Loop
route
Feb–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Pinhoti Horse Alternative open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. It doesn't name Pinhoti Horse Alternative, so check the source for the area it covers (4 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Pinhoti Horse Alternative is a 1.5-mile loop hike in the Conasauga Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in Georgia, managed by the Forest Service. It's an easy trail with a low elevation gain of about 120 feet, so it works well as a short outing or a warm-up before exploring more of the surrounding area. The loop climbs from a low of about 950 feet to a high of roughly 1,065 feet, and the steepest part comes at about 0.5 miles in, with a grade of about 13%. The trail is compact, and the total distance makes it easy to fit into a half day. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 73°F with lows near 51°F, and April is similar at about 73°F by day and 49°F at night. Summer runs hotter, with July and August highs typically near 89°F. For a longer outing, the Rock Garden Trail and Blackwell Gap Trail are both about 0.6 miles away, and the Trammel Loop is about 0.7 miles off. Paddlers can reach East Chickamauga Creek, about 2.3 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Feb–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Pinhoti Horse Alternative

    Best months: February–May and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      51° / 33°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      55° / 36°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      64° / 42°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      73° / 49°

      10 wet

    5. May

      80° / 58°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      86° / 66°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 70°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 69°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      84° / 63°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 51°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      62° / 41°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      53° / 36°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Chickamauga 2 Sw, GA, 12.3 mi away at 799 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Spring 2026 Forest-wide Fire Restrictions

      Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests · Order dated April 23, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Oct 13, 2026 · Forest Service

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