Hike the Day Loop at Long Hunter State Park
Details
Distance
4 miles
Route Type
Loop
Added by Rachel O'Neil
Looking for the perfect spot for hiking, walking your dog, trail running, an outing with the family, or a picture perfect picnic? Look no further - the 4 mile Day Loop along Long Hunter Lake is the spot for you!
Park at the Bakers Grove Area and take the newly wood chipped wood chip trail into the forest. Cross a small bridge, snake through a rock garden, and pass a sign indicating you are hiking the Day Loop Trail.
There will be orange and white blazes. The orange blazes are for the Day Loop and the whites blazes are for the Volunteer Trail. For more information on the Volunteer Trail check out my other adventures.
In a half mile, the trail reaches a junction. Follow the orange blazes to the left. Glimpses of the lake can now be seen as you gradually hike uphill, then back down through another rock garden with sinkholes and then leads to the water's edge.
The trail continues following close to the shore line, then will rise above to the cliffs overlooking the lake. A bench is passed in about a .5 miles and then joins the Volunteer Trail. The Volunteer Trail veers to the left (you'll spot a kiosk nearby) - stay straight on the Day Loop. In a tenth of a mile you'll pass an old mossy stone wall and a bench. In .5 miles miles you'll hit the first junction of the two trails and repeat the first leg of the trail back to the parking lot.
Note that this trail is becoming quite popular so plan ahead, as the parking lot does get full quick. You will see many day hikers, and people walking their dogs. This (and the Volunteer Trail) are excellent paths for trail running. The two trails are also great during any season - I have hiked this trail during each one. There are always great views, foliage (bright colors in the fall, Trout Lilly and cactus too!), and a great way to get some exercise - I highly recommend this area!
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Reviews
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Great trail!
Great trail! I'd start on the inland part of the trail and leave the lake view for the last half. The lake was gorgeous! There were a lot of "non-nature" sounds, such as the road and boats, but the wind from the lake feels wonderful! We especially loved the rock gardens!
4.0
Beautiful, Easy Trail
Great hike with beautiful lake views! Nice parking and trailhead as well. Definitely a good pick for a brisk hike
5.0
Great Day Hike With A Variety Of Scenery
I love this trail. It is easy to get to and makes for a perfect hour or two of exercise. It offers a variety of scenery; from woodlands, to sandy beaches, to limestone cliff overlooks along Percy Priest Lake.
5.0
Perfect Trail Run
This is a perfect route for trail running with some nice moderate inclines-- not too challenging but enough to get that push uphill feeling. It's a beautiful location on the edge of the lake and everyone I meet on the trail is incredibly nice and all smiles-- which I feel says a lot about a location and the energy of people it attracts. Great for dogs-- mine likes to take a quick dip at a trail offshoot near the end of the loop.
5.0
Perfect Weekend Morning Excursion
It's a great weekend morning trail that's great for trail running or an easy hike. My pup loves it! But if you go sans your best furry friend, there are some amazing cliffs you can jump off into Percy Priest Lake. They range from about 20ft to around 35ft and the water below is about 80ft deep so no need to worry about hitting the bottom. The cliffs are about halfway through the trail and are a perfect place to cool off, grab a bite and take in the beautiful views. Highly, highly recommend it
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.
