Guided Tours, Hikes and Other Programs in the National Heritage Area
You can always hike and bike on your own, but sometimes it’s nice to have a guide tour you through the National Heritage Area, exploring history, geology, nature and more. As we enter 2022, there are plentiful programs to enjoy:
1. Guided hikes at Arabia and Panola Mountains
Ranger Robby Astrove guides hikers through a hike on Arabia Mountain on a chilly January day.
After a long Covid-19 hiatus, rangers are back with a full slate of hikes and nature walks this year. Visit our Events page to sign up for one of the dozens of guided hikes taking place at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve and Panola Mountain State Park. That includes going onto Panola Mountain’s Conservation Area, only accessible with a guide, and hike the National Natural Landmark of Panola Mountain itself. Rangers at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve are offering hikes that focus on nature or exercise, depending on the day. Sign up and learn more at the Events page.
2. History tours of Flat Rock
Johnny Waits leading a tour of the historic Flat Rock community, seen here at the homestead of one of the first Black landowners in DeKalb County, T. A. Bryant, Sr.
Join Flat Rock Archives Co-Founder and President for a tour of DeKalb County’s oldest Black community, with historic sites that cover 200 years of history. Explore the historic Lyon plantation, where the Flat Rock ancestors were enslaved; the Flat Rock Historic Cemetery, where people were buried up until the mid-1900’s; the old Church site; and finish at the home of the area’s first Black landowner, who worked to build and maintain this rural Black community. These tours showcase resilient people and a powerful story. Sign up here.
3. Join an AWARE tour
Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort animal ambassador handler Darla with great horned owl, Owlscar.
Every Saturday and Sunday at 1pm, the Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort (AWARE) hosts a free wildlife show with native Georgia animals. AWARE is dedicated to rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife; the animals that cannot be released stay at AWARE or other nature centers. You will see some of these resident animals at the wildlife show, which offers you a close-up view of Georgia’s native wildlife and a chance to learn about how to conserve and protect these animals. Learn more here.
These are just a few of the events coming up this year. Keep checking our Events page for more updates!
Arabia Mountain
Dominated by two granite outcrops, the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area offers natural wonders, compelling history and heart-pumping activity. This nationally significant landscape includes vibrant history, breathtaking beauty and intriguing cultural changes from early settlers to immigrant rock cutters, Trappist monks and one of the oldest African-American communities in Georgia.
