Spending a weekend in downtown Athens or at a party is a great way to relieve the mind for a few days, but sometimes a weekend of peace and relaxation can be better. So, why not take a hike?

The University offers three basic physical education classes that take students on different hiking adventures and teach them skills they may need.

PEDB1100, beginning backpacking and hiking, teaches the correct way to prepare for a hike. Students in the class take a weekend trip to Standing Indian Mountain on the Appalachian Trial in North Carolina.

“When you are backpacking with a group, it’s all for one and one for all,” said Beginning Backpacking Instructor Susan Powell.

PEDB1110, Wilderness Backpacking, is for the more experienced hiker and includes an overnight camping trip.

PEDB1090, Outdoor Adventure Activities, includes hiking as a unit, but it also teaches the basic skills for rock climbing, kayaking, caving, rafting, sailing, mountain biking, horseback riding, snorkeling and snow skiing.

This course is offered entirely by Georgia Outdoor Recreation Program. The recreation program also provides rental gear for private trips.

“As far as advice for someone who wants to go hiking but never has, I would have them sign up for an intro backpacking clinic such as what the GORP offers,” Powell said.

“Other ideas are to make friends with someone who loves to backpack and tag along with them on one of their trips. That way, you learn the ropes from someone who knows what they’re doing and you can share gear.”

GEORGIA TRAILS

Susan Powell, an avid hiker, suggests the Jacks River Trail and Panther Creek Trail in Cohutta Wilderness Area. They are her favorite trails in Georgia.

For more information on trails in Georgia, check out georgiatrails.com and gastateparks.org.

PANTHER CREEK

Closest City: Demorest
Trail Length: 5.5. miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance from Athens:
Approx. 1 hour
Highlights: Smaller Tallulah Falls along the way lead to spectacular Panther Creek falls.

JACKS RIVER

Closest City: Ellijay
Trail Length: 16.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance from Athens:
Approx. 3 hours
Highights: At mile 9.2, Jacks River Falls is viewable from cliffs. Trail ends with abandoned railroad tracks.

SONGBIRD

Closest City: Murray County
Trail Length: 1.7 miles
Distance from Athens:
Approx. 2 hours, 24 minutes
Highlights: Several species of birds, four big beaver dams and swimming.