Len Foote Hike Inn

If you ever find yourself over near northern Georgia, and get the urge to go hiking, head up to Amicalola Falls State Park. From there you are able to hike to the Len Foote Hike Inn.

The hotel is a hike-in, hike-out only. You must hike the 5 miles from the parking lot to the hotel. The hike really isn't that difficult. The hotel is also a pack-in, pack-out hotel. This means that everything you bring up there you must bring back down (trash). The exception is if it's compostable, then they can feed it to their vermicast bins (the worms that turn it into beautiful rich dirt).

My 6 year old daughter was able to hike the entire thing in less than 3 hours. I actually think we were holding her back a little since my husband and I both had a child strapped to us, and the back pack. 

Remember that you are at a higher elevation, and on a mountain, so the cold wind can chill you if you aren't dressed properly (in the winter). I would recommend bringing along a scarf if you do hike in January.

The rooms are very basic. They all have electric lights, a fan and a heater. There are no power outlets in the rooms. The Sunrise room has a few, and so do the bathrooms. Each room has 1 bunk bed, with plenty of head room on the lower bunk. They also have a mat for a child who is sharing the room. If you have 2 or more children with you you must have 2 rooms, but they have some that connect in the middle. If you are going in the winter, the top bunk is closest to the heater and thus much toastier to sleep in. The bottom bunk is warm and comfortable too. All bedding and bath towels are provided, so that means less to carry for you!

The lobby, the dining hall and the Sunrise rooms all have wood burning heaters in them (and fans for the summer). We spent a lot of our time in the Sunrise room playing games. There are puzzles to do, numerous games to play and a decent selection of (nature type) books to read.

If it's warm out, or you're brave enough, you can sit out sit and soak in the views of the surrounding mountains, hike to the Springer Mountain (the start of the Appalachian Trail), hike a few of the trails around the hotel or play horse shoes.

Dinner and breakfast are included in your room rate. The meals are family style, delicious, and plenty to go around! You definitely will not go hungry.

The bathrooms have odorless composting toilets which make for a breezy bathroom experience, but there are heaters in each toilet stall. The hot showers are hot! And the water never ran cold on us during our 2 night stay.

Each night after dinner there is a presentation of some sort, usually by a fellow hiker who volunteered to share some of their knowledge. Topics vary from hiking to sustainability to water quality and beyond. If you've got something to share talk to the staff and see if you can give a presentation.

Amicalola Falls state Park (the start of the trail) is 70 miles or so north of Atlanta. There is a $5 fee to enter the park, payable in cash or check, and that covers your entire Hike Inn stay.

If we can make the hike with a 6 year old, 3 year old and 5 month old, then anyone who is able to walk can make it too. Happy trails!