SSWC Walks and Meetings Schedule for 2026
Guided Walks and Meetings Schedule
Sunday, March 22, 2026 – Southeast Striders Walking Club meeting. Meet at 1:30 pm.
Meeting will be held Sunday, 1:30pm, at the Baxter Street Library, 2025 Baxter Street, Athens, GA 30606
Saturday, March 28, 2026 – Watkinsville 6K and 10K. Arrive at 10:00am to register, step off at 10:15am to begin the walk. 6K will be a guided walk using the front half of the 10K; 10k walkers will be provided with printed walk instructions. Start point: Parking Lot at 10 Water Street, Watkinsville, GA. Restrooms are located at the back of the parking lot. The walk route begins and ends in downtown Watkinsville. You will walk through older and newer neighborhoods and through WirePark (10K only), an old mill complex converted to a local, small business shopping center. The historic Eagle Tavern Museum at 26 N Main Street is near the end of your walk. $4 to walk, $11 for short sleeve or $15 for long sleeve T-shirts. POC: Harold Weber, 904-704-8402 or Marie Weber, 904-703-8403. Lunch after the walk at Tamez Barbeque at 2131 Hog Mountain Road, Watkinsville, GA. This is a short 10 minute drive to the Butler Crossing Shopping Center (Publix) on Experiment Station Road at the intersection with Hog Mountain Road.
Saturday, April 11, 2026 – Olde Madison 6K Guided Walk. Arrive at 9:30am, step off at 9:45am to begin the walk. Meet at the Madison Visitor’s Center on the square in downtown Madison. Restrooms are available at the Visitor’s Center. Madison was spared the devastation of Sherman’s march to Savannah during the Civil War. As a result, there are many beautiful old Southern mansions dating back to the Cotton Boom of the mid 1800’s still in good standing in Madison. Of course, we will take advantage of that on our walk route in addition to seeing the beautiful neighborhoods of Madison relecting the Southern lifestyle of a prosperous small town built throughout the 1900’s. In addition, downtown Madison is comprised of a collection of prosperous antique shops, restaurants, and general stores. This is a non-competitive event, which should last approximately one and one-half hours. Lunch at the Chop House after the walk. The Chop House is just a block from the Start Point at 202 S Main St. and serves a variety of food choices for lunch.
Start Point: Madison Visitor’s Center, 115 E Jefferson St, Madison, GA. Restrooms are available at the Visitor’s Center. Park across the street from the Visitor’s Center on the Square in downtown Madison. $4 to walk, $11 for short sleeve or $15 for long sleeve T-shirts. POC: Harold Weber, 904-704-8402 or Marie Weber, 904-703-8403. This is a non-competitive event, which should last approximately one and one-half hours. Lunch at the Chop House after the walk. The Chop House is just a block from the Start Point at 202 S Main St.
Saturday, April 25, 2026 – Athens Sampler 5K and 10K at 9:30 am, step off at 9:45 am. This walk provides a good overview of downtown Athens and the UGA campus. This is a non competitive event. Start Point: Dudley Park, 1177 East Broad Street, Athens, GA. Avoid UGA parking spaces by parking at the back of the lot in Park-Trails Parking spaces. Restrooms available shortly after the beginning of the walk. $4 to walk, $11 for short sleeve or $15 for long sleeve T-shirts. POC: Harold Weber / Marie Weber, 904-704-8402 / 904-703-8403.
Saturday, May 16, 2026 – Sandy Creek Nature Center 5k and 11K. Arrive at 9:15am, step off at 9:30am to begin the walk. 5K will be a guided walk; 11k walkers will be provided printed walk instructions. Start point: Sandy Creek Nature Center, 205 Old Commerce Road, Athens, GA. Restrooms are available at the start point. Both the 5k and 10K route is away from traffic, on a smooth surface with a well-marked trail. Most of the route is shaded. There is a great photo op at Rainbow Forest. Sandy Creek Nature Center is interesting for adults and children. The Education & Visitor Center includes live reptiles, amphibians, marine and freshwater aquariums, interactive natural history exhibits, and an incredible resource library, all housed in an eco-friendly building. There is a circa 1815 log house and several wildlife observation areas on site. https://www.accgov.com/sandycreeknaturecenter $4 to walk, $11 for short sleeve or $15 for long sleeve T-shirts. POC: Harold Weber, 904-704-8402 or Marie Weber, 904-703-8403. This is a non-competitive event. Lunch after the walk at Tacos Los Plebes just past the Hog Pen Motorcycle shop on US 441. This is a short 3 minute drive from the Start Point.
Saturday, May 30, 2026 – Watson Mill Bridge State Park 6K and 11K. Arrive at 9:15am, step off at 9:30am to begin the walk. 6Kwill be a guided walk; 11k walkers will be provided printed walk instructions. Start Point: Watson Mill Bridge State Park, 650 Watson Mill, Comer, GA. Restrooms are available at the start point. Watson Mill Bridge State Park is a 1,018-acre Georgia state park located near Comer, GA on the South Fork of the Broad River. The park is named for the Watson Mill Bridge, the longest original-site covered bridge in Georgia, which spans 229 feet across the South Fork of the Broad River. $4 to walk, $11 for short sleeve or $15 for long sleeve T-shirts. POC: Harold Weber, 904-704-8402 or Marie Weber, 904-703-8403. This is a non-competitive event. There are segments of the trail with many tree roots, so wear sturdy shoes and bring walking sticks, if you like. There is a $10 parking fee at the park, which is done on a self-service basis so be sure to bring correct change. This walk will last approximately 2 hours and is a non-competitive event. Lunch after the walk at La Cabana Mexican Restaurant in Comer, GA. This is a 10 miinute ride from the start point.
Saturday, June 13, 2026 – Carrs Hill 5k and 11k from Barnett Shoals Road. Arrive at 9:00 am, step off at 9:15 am to begin the walk. 5K will be a guided walk; 11k walkers will be provided with printed walk instructions. Start at the Valero Gas Station, 790 Barnett Shoals Road, Athens, GA. The guided walk is an “out and back” strolling along the North Oconee River Greenway through a peacefull hardwood forest that parallels the Oconee River. This walk will last approximately one and one-half hours for the 5K or approximately 2.5 to 3 hours for the 11k. $4 to walk, $11 for short sleeve or $15 for long sleeve T-shirts. POC: Harold Weber, 904-704-8402 or Marie Weber, 904-703-8403. This is a non-competitive event
Start Point: Valero Gas Station, 790 Barnett Shoals Road at the corner of Barnett Shoals and Carriage Lane, Athens, GA. Park behind the gas station. Restrooms are available inside the Valero Gas Station. $4 to walk, $11 for short sleeve or $15 for long sleeve T-shirts. POC: Harold or Marie Weber, 904-704-8402 or 904-703-8403. This walk is a non-competitive event and will last approximately one and one/half hours.
Saturday, June 27, 2026 – Sandy Creek Park 5K Guided Walk and 10K instructions – Arrive at 9:00 am, step off at 9:15 am. This walk will take you through all facets of Sandy Creek Park providing gorgeous views of Lake Chapman along the way. The hiking trail meanders through old hardwood forests and along Lake Chapman and is representative of the beautiful rolling hills of Northeast Georgia. The guided 5K walk will last about 1.5 hours 10K for about 2.4 to 3.0 hours. $4 to walk, $11 for short sleeve or $15 for long sleeve T-shirts. POC: Harold Weber, 904-704-8402, or Marie Weber, 904-703-8403. This is a non-Competive Walk.
Start Point: Sandy Creek Park, 400 Bob Holman Road, Athens, GA. After entering the park, continue around the circle until you see the lake. Park in the lot facing away from the lake. There are multiple restrooms on this route. Walking sticks and sturdy boots are optional. There are occasional roots and rocks along the unpaved portion of the trail. There is a $2 per person admission fee to the park; 65 and older are free. $4 to walk, $11 for short sleeve or $15 for long sleeve T-shirts. POC: Harold Weber, 904-704-8402 or Marie Weber, 904-704-8403.
Prior Walks (Already Walked)
Saturday, August 9, 2025 – Thomas Farm Preserve 5K at 8:00am, step off to walk at 8:15am. The Thomas Farm property includes over 60 acres of open pasture, 33 acres of pristine woodlands, two picturesque ponds totaling five acres, and more than one-third of a mile of frontage along Calls Creek. The city has installed one mile of paved wheelchair accessible 10’ wide paths around the two ponds, more than two miles of crushed gravel paths through pastures and woods, and 2.3 miles of backcountry biking and hiking trails that run along the property boundary lines. Two gravel parking lots have also been added as well as a public bathroom. Our walk route will include the outer loop and the trail along the two ponds. 90 percent of the walk is in the shade. This is a non-competitive event.
Start Point: Thomas Farm Preserve, 73 Simonton Bridge Road. Meet at the parking lot. Restrooms are available onsite. $4 to walk, $11 for T-shirts. POC: Harold or Marie Weber, 904-704-8402 or 904-703-8403. This walk will last approximately one and one-half hours.
Saturday, February 22, 2025 – Dudley Park to the Firefly Trail Fun Walk 5K at 10:45am, step off at 11:00am. The route is a 1A, flat and on paved surfaces, away from traffic. This is the ideal “walk and talk” with little to no traffic to deal with. $4 to walk, POC: Harold Weber, 904-704-8402
Start Point: Dudley Park, 1177 East Broad Street, Athens, GA. Avoid UGA parking spaces by parking at the back of the lot in Park-Trails Parking Spaces. Restrooms available shortly after the beginning of the walk. Wear your head cover, comfortable walking shoes, and don’t forget your water. $4 to walk, $11 for T-shirts. POC: Harold Weber, 904-704-8402.
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 – North Oconee River Greenway 5K and 11k at 10:00am to register, step off at 10:15am to begin the walk. 5k will be a guided walk, 11 k walkers will be provided with printed walk instructions. The walk route begins at Dudley Park and uses the Firefly Trail (Rails-to-Trails) to cross the Oconee River. We then continue along part of the North Oconee River Greenway from Dudley Park to just past the College Avenue bridge. The entire 5k route is away from traffic, on a smooth surface with a well-marked trail. Most of the route is shaded. There is a great photo op at Rainbow Forest. This is a non-competitive event. Join us for lunch at the end of the walk at Weaver D’s Delicious Fine Foods. Weaver D’s is an Athens tradition and a unique dining experience you don’t want to miss. Weaver is a James Beard award winner and his Soul Food is consistently rated in the top 5 in the entire state.
Start Point: DudleyPark, 1177 East Broad Street, Athens, GA. Avoid UGA parking spaces by parking at the back of the lot in Park-Trails Parking spaces. Restrooms available shortly after the beginning of the walk. $4 to walk, $11 for T-shirts. POC: Harold or Marie Weber, 904-704-8402 or 904-703-8403. This walk will last approximately one and one-half hours. Join us for lunch at the end of the walk at Weaver D’s Delicious Fine Foods. Weaver D’s is an Athens tradition and a unique dining experience you don’t want to miss. Weaver is a James Beard award winner and his Soul Food is consistently rated in the top 5 in the entire state.
Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 – Valentine’s Day Fun Walk in Watkinsville to Wire Park 5K. Join the Southeast Striders for a gala Valentine’s Day walk in Watkinsville. This will be a guided walk starting at the parking lot at 10 Water St. in Watkinsville. Arrive at 10:00 am to register. Step off at 10:15 am to begin the walk. Restrooms are located at the back of the parking lot. The walk route begins and ends in downtown Watkinsville. You will walk through east side neighborhoods on the way to and from WirePark, through WirePark, an old mill complex converted to a local, small business shopping center. The historic Eagle Tavern Museum at 26 N Main Street is near the end of your walk. Lunch at Blind Pig Tavern at the end of the walk. Be sure to wear a red shirt to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Start Point: Parking Lot at 10 Water Street, Watkinsville, GA. Restrooms are located at the back of the parking lot. $4 to walk, $11 for T-shirts. POC: Harold Weber, 904-704-8402, or Marie Weber, 904-703-8403. This is a non-competitive walk. Address for Blind Pig Tavern in Watkinsville: 22 N. Main St., Building A Watkinsville, GA 30677 706.310.4450
Saturday, February 28, 2026 – Carrs Hill 5k and 11k. Arrive at 10:00 am, step off at 10:15am to begin the walk. 5K will be a guided walk; 11k walkers will be provided with printed walk instructions. Start at Dudley Park, 1177 East Broad St, Athens, GA. On this walk, you will see Dudley Park, the North Oconee River Greenway, the Firefly Trail (Rails to Trails), and the Oconee River waterfalls and rapids near downtown Athens that supported cotton mills in the early to mid 1800’s. This walk will last approximately one and one-half hours for the 5K or approximately 2.5 to 3 hours for the 11k. $4 to walk, $11 for T-shirts. POC: Harold Weber, 904-704-8402 or Marie Weber, 904-703-8403. This is a non-competitive event.
Saturday, March 14, 2026 – UGA Campus Walk 5K. Arrive at 10:00 am, step off at 10:15 am to begin the walk. The walk route includes the Georgia Art Museum (restrooms available), UGA Trial Gardens, Lumpkin House, Physics Building, Sanford Stadium, Founders Memorial Garden, UGA Tate Student Center, and Stegman Coliseum. This walk provides a great cross section of the UGA campus. $4 to walk, $11 for short sleeve or $15 for long sleeve T-shirts. POC: Harold Weber, 904-704-8402 or Marie Weber, 904-703-8403. This is a non-competitive event, which should last approximately one and one-half hours. Lunch after the walk at the Summit Dining Commons on the second floor of the Joe Frank Harris building on the UGA Campus at 80 Carlton Avenue, Athens, GA. $13 for all you can eat. See how our UGA students eat.
Start Point: 250 River Road, Parking Lot E07, Athens, GA across River Road from the Hugh Hodson School of Music. Restrooms available shortly after the beginning of the walk. $4 to walk, $11 for short sleeve or $15 for long sleeve T-shirts. POC: Harold Weber, 904-704-8402, or Marie Weber, 904-703-8403. This walk will last approximately one and one/half hours. Lunch after the walk at the Summit Dining Commons on the second floor of the Joe Frank Harris building on the UGA Campus at 80 Carlton Avenue, Athens, GA. $13 for all you can eat.
Self Guided Year-Round Walks
Athens Sampler at Dudley Park
Carrs Hill
Oconee River Greenway at Sandy Creek Nature Center
Watkinsville
Watson Mill Bridge State Park, Comer, GA
US 441 The Lake at Sandy Creek Park
Come Walk With Us!
