Fitness Trail in the Cochran Shoals Unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Length: 2 to 3 miles, depending on your starting point
Time: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
Download Fitness Trail map (PDF)
Fitness Trail Map (aka Cochran Shoals Trail)
The popularity of the Interstate North and Columns Drive sections of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is due to the Fitness Trail. This wide, sun drenched, pea gravel loop trail is flat and smooth and thus open to all sorts of visitors. You will find joggers, walkers, bikers, and mothers pushing baby strollers. It is, however, far from the best exercise at the Columns Drive section of the park, as the hiking trails are much more strenuous, but the Fitness Trail’s ease makes it popular for those wanting to get some exercise without putting in much effort. People can walk together socially, side by side, more concerned about gossip than having to worry about tripping over a root or rock.
Jogger on the Fitness Trail in the Cochran Shoals Unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The section of the trail closest to the Chattahoochee River offers a few good views at the start and far end. There are even a couple of observation decks right on the water.
Chattahoochee River observation deck on the Cochran Shoals Fitness Trail, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
View of the Chattahoochee River from the Cochran Shoals Fitness Trail, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Much of the trail is out in the open, exposed to the sun, so those attempting to walk it during the heat of a summer day are in for a pounding. Be sure to wear a hat and apply sunscreen if avoiding the sun is important to you.
Fitness Trail in the Cochran Shoals Unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
If starting the Fitness Trail from the Columns Drive parking lot, the hike is a 2-mile loop. However, from Interstate North it is a 3-mile hike due to having to walk a half mile on a connector trail (1 mile, round trip) from the parking lot before coming to the loop portion of the trail.
Interstate North segment of the Cochran Shoals Fitness Trail in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
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Last updated on July 17, 2026
