The Hike Inn Trail: An Amazing Family Adventure

The Len Foote Hike Inn sits nestled five miles in the backcountry of Northern Georgia. A peaceful hideaway accessible by a 4.8 mile trail, the Amicalola Hike Inn is the perfect place to disconnect from devices and reconnect with the people you love. With warm beds, home cooked food, and beautiful views, families and friends can escape the real world and immerse in the peace and calm of nature in a comfortable and memorable setting.

• How do you get to the Hike Inn Trail?
• Can kids hike to the Hike Inn at Amicalola?
• What is the Hike Inn Trail like?
• What can you expect at the Len Foote Hike Inn?
• What is there to do at the Inn?
• Is the sunrise worth it at the Amicalola Hike Inn?
• How long should you stay at the Hike Inn?
• What should you pack for your trip?

How do you get to the Hike Inn Trail?

The Hike Inn Trail starts in Amicalola State Park in northern Georgia. The trail to the Inn is a 4.8 moderately strenuous hike. If traveling from a distance, we recommend staying a night or two at the Amicalola Falls Lodge. The Amicalola Falls are beautiful, and you can easily spend a day exploring the local area before departing to the Amicalola Hike Inn.

The Hike Inn Trail begins at a parking lot off the crest of Amicalola Falls. It shares its beginning with the Appalachian Trail Approach Trail. Your kids will get very familiar with the green blazes that mark the trail and lead you through the forest on your way to the inn.

Can kids hike to the Hike Inn at Amicalola?

Absolutely! Our kids were three and six when we hiked to the Georgia Hike Inn. The hike is 4.8 miles long, so be prepared for frequent stops and lots of snacks. In its entirety it took us a little over 4 hours. Despite the distance, our kids made it the whole way and the little one didn’t need to be carried once.

What is the Hike Inn Trail like?

The Hike Inn Trail is the perfect blend of a serene forest hike punctuated early on by breathtaking peekaboo views of the Appalachian mountains. There were several spots where you could picnic in front of beautiful scenery and give the kids a well deserved rest. Our boys enjoyed meandering through the thick mossy forests of the middle of the hike, and they often would run ahead trying to find the next green blaze.

The last mile of the hike went through swampy, knobby forests with several small stream crossings and wooden planks that the boys enjoyed balance beaming across. While there were parts of the trail that were moderately strenuous, the kids were always safe, and we were able to relax and enjoy nature without exhausting our family or worrying about the boys.

What can you expect at the Len Foote Hike Inn?

The Hike Inn emerges from the forest line as a serene escape of comfort after your long journey. You are immediately greeted by pleasant staff who orient you to the beautiful facility. Rooms are small and have bunk beds with a mattress. You are handed sheets and a towel, and blankets and pillows are in the room for you.

There are heaters in every room that can be turned on in the evenings. Be cautious about overdoing this, the rooms can get hot, and I had to wake up in the middle of the night to turn off the heat.

Bathrooms are clean and heated. The inn uses composting toilets, which are a unique…breezy experience. Male and female facilities offer hot showers and running water, and all restrooms are neat and well cared for.

There is a dining hall where the staff cooks incredible meals. In the evening we had turkey, rice, and string beans, and they served a peach cobbler that was to die for. For breakfast, our table was served eggs, bacon, and delicious spoon bread. The meals were luxurious after a full day of hiking.

Coffee, tea, lemonade and water are always available and each guest is asked to reuse a cup during their stay.

What is there to do at the Inn?

Phones are highly discouraged except for photo taking at the Hike Inn. There are multiple areas to kick back and relax whether it be in adirondack chairs scattered around the property, or in rocking chairs on the porch overlooking the Appalachian mountains.

There is a beautiful game room with board games, books, and cards from monopoly to chess to Guess Who. The kids were immediately drawn to the room, and made friends with multiple other children who were traveling with their families.

Every day the staff present a tour of the sustainable features of the Hike Inn, and you can learn about the history of the beautiful building. Our family enjoyed this, and the boys liked getting a peek at the worms that were composting in the cellar.

Is Sunrise Worth it at the Amicalola Hike Inn?

Yes! Each morning, the staff comes around with a soft drum awakening the guests who might want to see the sunrise over the mountains. Rise early, grab a cup of coffee from the dining hall, and take a seat outside. The sunrise is breathtaking and spiritual, and it makes it even more clear why the Inn is a special place.

How Long Should You Stay at the Hike Inn?

We stayed one night and for us that was enough. The location is beautiful and the experience is amazing. The single night stay will feel longer than a day, and you will have plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful location, rest, and rejuvenate.

What Should You Pack for your trip?

It isn’t essential to bring to much to the Hike Inn as most things are provided. Bring what you need for your inland hike: snacks, water, and lunch. The Hike Inn sells lunches for the hike back and they are highly recommended, with a sandwich, trail mix, and a sinful cookie.

Flip flops or sandals for walking around the Inn are a nice luxury, and you will want to bring a change of clothes for the following day, and a toothbrush and toothpaste. Otherwise, all food, drinks, linens, towels, and soap and shampoo are provided.

Of note, they don’t serve alcohol because they are on state park property. We brought our own supplies for the weekend, and it didn’t seem like anyone would care unless you were making a scene.

If you are even considering this trip, Just Go! It was challenging, inspiring, and totally memorable. It is one of the few places that we as a family would return to, as it offered the complete ability to check out from reality.

Check out our other family adventures in Georgia:

Visiting Cumberland Island: A One Day Itinerary

Camping on Cumberland Island: Sea Camp Guide

Savannah: Things to do with Kids

Kid Friendly Breweries in Asheville in 2022