The best cycling routes around Redan

Only 15 minutes outside Atlanta, Panola Mountain State Park offers something for everyone. Kids can run wild on the playground while adults take in a quiet picnic. There’s space for archery, birdwatching, even geocaching. Paved trails welcome cyclists and dog walkers; forest paths invite hikers and runners. The granite outcrop, smaller and more untouched than Stone Mountain, reveals rare plant life best seen on a guided tour.

Go early or during a weekday; gets pretty busy in lots of sections.

This Trappist monastery currently supports about 20 monks, who run a retreat house for those seeking individuals or groups seeking religious and spiritual insight.

The Stone Mountain Trail is a 19-mile, paved, multi-use path that connects downtown Atlanta to Stone Mountain Park, offering a scenic route for cyclists, runners, and walkers largely (but not entirely) separate from cars. Beginning at Centennial Olympic Park, the trail weaves through diverse neighborhoods, including Candler Park and Decatur, before reaching the historic Stone Mountain Park. The trail features both dedicated bike lanes and shared road sections. Along the way, you can enjoy various parks, historical sites, and local attractions as you ride throught the greater Atlanta area.

Stone Mountain, located in Stone Mountain, Georgia, is both a natural landmark and a site of historical significance. The mountain, a massive quartz monzonite dome, is famous for its large bas-relief carving depicting Confederate leaders Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. This carving, completed in 1972, is a point of contention due to its association with the Confederacy and its use as a symbol by white supremacist groups. The mountain and its surrounding park have a deeply, complex history. In 1915, the second iteration of the Ku Klux Klan was revived at Stone Mountain, marking it as a symbolic site for the organization. Throughout the mid-20th century, the area served as a rallying point for segregationists. The carving itself was initiated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1916 and faced numerous delays, with its completion aligning with the Civil Rights Movement's peak, further intensifying its controversial status. Today, Stone Mountain is a popular recreational destination. Stone Mountain Park, encompasses over 3,200 acres, offers a variety of activities. Visitors can hike the Walk-Up Trail to the summit, providing panoramic views of the Atlanta skyline and surrounding areas. The park features a scenic railroad, a 5-mile loop trail for biking and walking, and a variety of other trails catering to different skill levels.

Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve is a unique nature preserve in DeKalb County, Georgia. It spans 2,549 acres and is managed by the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance. Arabia Mountain's granite outcrop is the dominant feature, but the preserve also boasts diverse ecosystems and wildlife, offering hiking trails of varying difficulty. There are also remnants of past historic settlements and quarries. In addition to hiking and walking trails, there is the paved Arabia Mountain PATH Trail as well as Rockland and Klondike Roads that all run through the preserve, making it a great road cycling spot as well.

Confederate Hall within Stone Mountain Park has a theater and museum, and is built of granite harvested from Stone Mountain.

The Friendship Forest Wildlife Sanctuary is located entirely within the City of Clarkston. The park's 18.5 acre is great for road biking, running, and walking and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.