Taking the Monadnock Madness Challenge

Each spring, the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area poses a question to Georgia adventurers: “Are you ready to rock?” Monadnock Madness is an annual hiking challenge involving Arabia, Panola, and Stone Mountains. Participants have 31 days to scale the Georgia giants in order to win prizes and ultimate bragging rights. Bonus points for climbing Kennesaw Mountain, the fourth mountain option!

A “monadnock,” derived from a Native American word for a lone hill or mountain, is a granite outcropping that rises abruptly from a level or gently sloping piece of land. Metro Atlanta has three monadnock mountains. Arabia Mountain in Lithonia is the oldest at 400 billion years. Once part of a quarry, the protected area is now home to rare and endangered plant species. Nearby Panola Mountain, in Stockbridge, is a National Natural Landmark because of its pristine ecological features. Stone Mountain is the most popular of Georgia’s monadnocks, with more than four million visitors climbing the 825-foot summit and enjoying the surrounding park each year.

Monadnock Madness participants can tackle all three mountains in one day or space it out over the entire month of March. It’s a hike-as-you-like challenge. This year, instead of the usual stamped park passports, the hikers were encouraged to take selfies and then submit them online. The 2021 Monadnock Madness Challenge also featured guided hikes, socially distanced photography classes, and yoga workshops.

While this year’s official prize was a branded bandana (and bragging rights), the real prize was the opportunity to enjoy these beautiful greenspaces. Watching the sun peek over the horizon, seeing the bright red pools of Diamorpha, listening to the chatter of the wildlife… it’s Georgia nature at its best.

For more information about the Monadnock Madness Challenge, visit the Arabia Alliance website.