Powers Island Hike

Distance: 2 miles
Calories Burned: About 330
Time: 40 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: $3 Parking Fee or Chattahoochee National Recreational Area Parking Permit

Address: 1699 Riveredge Ln Atlanta GA
Directions: Take GA 400 to I-285 West, then take I-285 to exit 22 (Powers Ferry Rd), then bear right off of the exit ramp and take Interstate Parkway North for .8 miles, then turn right on Riveredge Ln which turns into the parking area for Powers Island Hiking Trail.
Google Street View | Powers Island Hiking Map

The Powers Island hiking trail explores the Chattahoochee River on the opposite side of the Cochran Shoals Trail in Smyrna, GA. With the exception of one loop this trail is very level and makes for an easy hike. The path is well maintained and has light foot traffic. This trail is much less popular than the neighboring Cochran Shoals Walking Path, which makes for a more private hike. There are easy to read trail maps at each intersection.

Most of the hike is spent in close proximity to the Chattahoochee River, since this area is secluded it attracts a good deal of aquatic wildlife. When I hiked the Powers Island path in late February I came across an egrette and a pair of ducks. There were also a number of fishermen fly fishing in the river, attempting to hook a large rainbow trout or shoal bass.

The level, well maintained path makes it easy to hike at a brisk pace since there are few obstacles. The path includes several well maintained wooden bridges and a larger steel bridge that crosses the Chattahoochee River to Powers Island. The island itself has a lightly worn path which allows you to hike to the end of the island. This path is less traveled than the rest of the trail and there are several fallen trees along the way. If you’re a little bit more adventurous this makes for a beautiful area with several excellent locations to take photographs of the river.