SOUTH ROCKDALE ITINERARY
If you love the outdoors, more adventures await in south Rockdale County. Archery, bike trails, treetop escapades and ranger-led hikes are highlights of Panola Mountain State Park. The PATH Foundation’s trail system runs throughout the county and is part of Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area that connects to the magnificent Abbey Church on the peaceful grounds of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. Don’t miss the unique shopping at the Abbey Store and Garden Center, opportunities for spiritual retreats, and consider the serenity of the natural burial grounds at Honey Creek Woodlands, all located on Monastery property. Mountain biking trails for all levels of riders recently opened at South Rockdale Park and Richardson Dog Park features agility equipment and amenities for four-legged and two-legged friends. Plans to construct water trail access to the South River for kayaking and canoeing are underway. Head to south Rockdale for a wide variety of ways to experience the glory of the outdoors.
Monastery of the Holy Spirit
- Monks were among the first groups to consciously form their environment in order to further their chosen mode of life. The simple and unique stained glass displayed throughout the Abbey Church at the Monastery is sure to give visitors an inside look into the nature of the Cistercian lifestyle. The Monastic Heritage Center is a 17,000 sq. ft. complex that incorporates both new and renovated historic Monastery structures and integrates elements of learning and hands-on activities to create a unique experience. Heritage Center Hours: M – Sat. 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The complex brings together the public spaces: Visitor Center and Historic Barn, the Abbey Gift Shop and Cafe, the Abbey Garden Center, the Bonsai Nursery and Green House, the Central Courtyard, and the Memorial Plaza and Prayer Walk. trappist.net * 770-483-8705
Abbey Store
- The Abbey Store provides a wide assortment of monk-made fruitcakes, fudge, biscotti, and cookies to sample and purchase with a variety of other southern and Georgia-made products. The store is also the largest religious bookstore in Georgia with jewelry, gifts, stained glass, music and more. holyspiritmonasterygifts.com
Retreats
- Retreat. Rest. Reflect. Renew. People of all walks of life have been coming to The Monastery of the Holy Spirit for many years because it is a place where you can “get away from it all” to revitalize your spirit and rejuvenate your soul. 2625 Hwy 212 SW • Conyers, GA 30094 * trappist.net • 770-760-0959.
Honey Creek Woodlands
- Located directly across the entrance from the Monastery, is the entrance to Honey Creek Woodlands which is a conservation burial ground in Conyers, Georgia. This alternative to modern burial is located among the Monastery of the Holy Spirit’s 2,300 acres and adjacent to the 8,000 acre Arabia Mountain Heritage Corridor. Natural burials allow Honey Creek Woodlands to conserve nature by expanding the wildlife habitat, providing an environment for native plants to thrive, and providing clean air, and a cleaner watershed. Bodies are laid to rest in a shroud or casket made of biodegradable materials. Cremated remains are also buried in biodegradable containers. The scattering of ashes is not allowed. honeycreekwoodlands.com • 770-483-7535
South Rockdale Community Park
- South Rockdale Park features 5.5 miles of beginner, intermediate and advanced mountain bike trails designed by Mountain Bike Atlanta, the local chapter of SORBA (Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association) and Rockdale County Recreation and Maintenance with plans to expand the trail by an additional nine miles in the future. The trails connect to the Rockdale River trail system, a destination PATH project in the Davidson Arabia National Heritage Area. Check out the DeCastro Mountain Bike Trailhead at the nearby intersection of Union Church Road and Daniels Bridge Road. rockdalecountyga.gov * 770-278-7529,
Panola Mountain State Park
- Panola Mountain State Park, just 15 minutes from Atlanta, is a recreational haven for all ages and interests. Visitors can picnic while children work off energy on the playground. The park offers archery, geocaching, orienteering, birding and tree-climbing programs. A paved trail is open for biking, roller blading, jogging and dog-walking, while forested fitness trails are open for hiking and running. Panola Mountain State Park is a 100-acre granite outcrop similar to Stone Mountain, but smaller and much more pristine. Park visitors will see the outcrop and its rare ecosystem just as Native Americans did centuries ago. Reservations are required for ranger-led hikes that teach about the rare plants and animals found in this habitat. Panola Mountain State Park is the crown jewel of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, one of only three National Heritage Areas in the state. The park’s unusual natural beauty and intriguing cultural changes are the basis for this special recognition. Over the years, this area has been home to early settlers, immigrant rock cutters, freed slaves and even Trappist monks. Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is a partnership among the state of Georgia, DeKalb, Henry and Rockdale counties, the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, and numerous communities and public-private partners. Panola Mountain has also been designated a National Natural Landmark. 620 Highway 155 SW * Stockbridge, GA 30281 (Rockdale County) gastateparks.org 770-389-7801.
Richardson Dog Park
- Bring the four-legged children out for a day of fun and frolicking at Rockdale County’s first dog park, Richardson Park. The park features two fenced in areas, one for dogs under 30 pounds and one for dogs over 30 pounds, with agility equipment, water and grooming stations, waste stations, and comfortable seating for dog owners. rockdalecountyga.gov • 770-278-7629.
Path Foundation
- The Path Foundation, in partnership with DeKalb County, Rockdale County, and the Arabia Mountain Heritage Alliance has developed an extraordinary trail system through 7,000 acres of greenspace southeast of Atlanta. The Arabia Mountain Path (AMP Trail) network meanders through incredible rock outcroppings, colorful wildflower fields, rushing streams, and towering pines as it makes its way from the Mall at Stonecrest into Panola Mountain State Park and the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. The trail system is over 33 miles long with several additional segments planned for development. pathfoundation.org • 404-875-7284
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area
- The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Areais a National Heritage Area that encompasses natural, cultural, and historical elements to form a cohesive, nationally significant environment. The area is due east of Atlanta and spans 40,000 acres reaching from the historic commercial center of Lithonia to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, including Panola Mountain State Park, and a number of sites in between. 3350 Klondike Rd • Lithonia, GA 30038 arabiaalliance.org • 404-998-8384
