The northwest corner of the state contains some of the best trails for hiking, in an area that is easily accessible from Atlanta, and one that offers more pet friendly motels than most. For either a day trip or a weekend, this area offers a lot of choices for outdoor activity.

For a weekend trip, Dalton is an ideal place to stay. To the east is the Cohutta Wilderness Area and Fort Mountain State Park, with dozens of trails to choose from. To the west is the Armuchee section of the Chattahoochee National Forest, with a variety of recreation areas, wildlife management areas, and tucked away in the corner of the state, one of the gems of the state park system, Cloudland Canyon. Located in an out of the way corner of the state, this park is enjoyed more by people from Chattanooga and northern Alabama than by those of us from Atlanta.

Built around the sheer walls of the canyon for which it is named, this park offers great views of the cliffs and the valley below, as well as the two waterfalls that pour into it. The steep walls of the canyon are made of layered sandstone, and provide a geological history of this area.

A short, steep trail leads to the valley for a closer view of the waterfalls, and an opportunity to enjoy the canyon from a different perspective. Much of the trail is on wooden walkways and steps, which have been built to protect the environment.

Since this is a state park, dogs must be kept on a leash on the rim and in the canyon. However, there are two hiking trails that offer an opportunity to let the dog run off-leash. The West Rim Trail is a five mile loop that follows the rim of the canyon on the side across from the parking and picnic area.

Along the way are numerous viewing areas from which to enjoy the beauty of the canyon. The view changes as the canyon opens and widens, until it opens into a huge valley. From an overlook you can see for miles in either direction the farms, small towns and clusters of homes below.

At this point the trail turns left into the woods and circles back to complete the loop. A wooden bridge over a small stream is the connecting point, and a sign marked ‘picnic area’ points the way back to the car.

The trails are not crowded most of the year, but they might get a little crowded in the summer. When I see people approaching, I have gotten in the habit of stepping off the trail and having the dog sit or stand next to me, so the people can have the path. It is a simple courtesy to people who may not be comfortable having to pass a strange dog on a narrow trail. On a recent visit, almost everyone thanked me, most commented on what a well behaved dog Roger is (they don’t know him), and a few said that they wished more owners were that considerate. These weren’t people who don’t like dogs; many paused to ask about Roger and pet him. Those of us who want to pet every dog we see sometimes forget that not everyone feels that way. Little things like this can help counter the anti-dog sentiment out there.

>The other hiking trail at Cloudland Canyon is the Backcountry Trail, a six mile loop trail used by backpackers. Less used than the West Rim Trail, this might be a better choice on busy days. The trail begins by entering the canyon and climbing back to the rim on the other side. The trail soon connects with the loop, where you can go left or right. If you turn left, you will walk in a clockwise direction along the rim for about two miles, then circle away from the canyon and through the woods for the rest of the way. After completing the loop, the trail again leads into the canyon and up the other side, always a great way to end a long hike.

To get to Cloudland Canyon, take I-75 north 62 miles from the perimeter to Exit 320. Go left on GA 136 and follow it for 46 miles to the park.