Indian Seats Trail at Sawnee Mountain Offers Breathtaking Views

We’ve been to Sawnee Mountain many times to play at the treehouse and walk the fairy garden, but we’ve never done the Indian Seats hike…until recently! It was time to hike to the summit!

Here’s everything we learned about hiking the Indian Seats Trail at Sawnee Mountain Preserve in Cumming, Georgia.

Indian Seats Trail at Sawnee Mountain Preserve

According to the map, the Indian Seats Trail is 3.5-4 miles round-trip.  We were intent on getting to the top, spending time there and then powering down…so we used the Yucca Trail to shortcut the long path and make it more feasible for the kiddos. This shortcut bypasses the treehouse and fairy garden, so be sure to come back for those on a different day.

Hike the Indian Seats Trail to the summit of Sawnee Mountain, an outstanding overlook with beautiful, long-range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is a great site for the locals looking for spectacular views of the North Georgia Mountains. This 4-mile trail is a moderate hike, so be prepared.

Hiking the Indian Seats Trail

Start your adventure at the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center to grab a map and learn about the history of Sawnee Mountain and the wildlife that calls it home with their interactive and educational kiosks.

Pick a clear day to hike this trail.  The views are amazing…some of the best Atlanta offers. If you have young kids, you’ll want to watch them closely at the top, but don’t let your fear of heights stop you from reclining in the Indian Seats! This vantage is at 1680 ft elevation.

The history of the Sawnee Mountain Preserve spans from a sacred site for the local Native American Cherokee and Creek tribes to a mining site in the 1800s search for gold in Georgia. Today, the mountain preserve offers a number of fantastic hikes and running trails as part of their trail system – and this view-packed loop is one of the park’s most popular, named for the granite, carved seat-like depressions on the mountain’s summit.

Just a side note, I am a pretty laid back and easy going mama, but I could not have gotten these photos with my kids (especially the youngest) had I hiked alone. There is a friend in the background here, who is just within arms reach. If your kids are younger than, say, 4 or 5, don’t avoid hiking here, just recognize that you might not be able to safely get the photos you want without a friend to help out.

Sawnee Mountain History

With older kids who will appreciate it, take time to look up some history about the area (see Wikipedia below) so they can fully appreciate the experience. Bring lunch or snacks, and stay a while. You’ll appreciate the reactions of people coming over the hill, seeing the view for the first time.

From Wikipedia: It is believed that Native Americans may have used a natural clearing atop the mountain called the Indian Seats for ceremonial purposes. As white settlers migrated to the area, now known as Cumming, a local Cherokee named Sawnee helped them adjust to the native land. As a well skilled carpenter and farmer he was known throughout the land, and the range was named in his honor. In 1829 gold was discovered in Georgia in Auraria at the site of America’s first gold rush. There are also mines in the ridges of Sawnee which is downstream the Chattahoochee from the major strike.

Be sure to keep your eye out for an abandoned gold mine! Although you cannot enter the tunnel for safety reasons, it’s fun to imagine the gold mine in its prime during the Gold Rush.

Indian Seats Trail FAQ

How long does it take to hike the Indian Seats Trail?

The Indian Seats Trail at Sawnee Mountain Preserve in Cumming, GA, is considered a moderately difficult hike. The hike take about 1.5 hours to complete.

What is the elevation of the Indian Seats Trail?

The elevation of the mountain is 1,960 feet. Make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for hiking this trail…even though a lot of it is wooded, the uphill climb does take some energy.

What is the history of the Indian Seats Trail?

The Indian Seats Trail is full of history. It’s believed that Native Americans used the natural clearing at the top of the mountain for ceremonial purposes.

MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO GEORGIA

• YOUR GEORGIA VACATION
• CUMMING: 27+ Amazing Things To Do In Cumming GA That Will Surprise You
• HIKING: 125+ Best Places for Hiking in Georgia (Kids & Beginners)
• SWIMMING HOLES: 17+ Amazingly Dreamy Swimming Holes in North Georgia (Waterfalls, Too!)
• GLAMPING: Glamping Georgia: 17+ Most Unique Places To Escape