Explore the Chimp Trails
Trail Access & Support
A suggested contribution of $2 per hiker helps support the care of the chimpanzees and the ongoing maintenance of the trails. Donations can be made upon arrival at the on-site parking lot fee station.
Frequent visitor? Consider purchasing an Annual Trails Pass for $25—a simple way to support the sanctuary year-round while enjoying unlimited access.
You can contribute:
- At the parking lot kiosks
- Inside our gift shop
- Or in advance online [HERE]
Our trails are open dawn to dusk, 365 days a year, offering a peaceful way to connect with nature—and with the sanctuary.
As you hike, you may hear the chimpanzees vocalizing from their forested habitats, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of them from the Overlook when they’re enjoying time in the Peachtree Habitat.
Along your walk, be sure to:
- Visit Project Harvest to see what’s growing to nourish the chimpanzees
- Pause in the Remembrance Garden to honor the lives of chimpanzees who have passed
- Stop by the Gift Shop for souvenirs, water, and snacks—or to learn how you can get involved
Dogs are welcome! Your four-legged companions are invited to enjoy the trails with you (and they’re welcome in the gift shop, too!).
Trail Guidelines
For your safety and the wellbeing of the chimpanzees:
- Please stay on designated trails at all times
- The fence line surrounding the chimp habitats is electrified—do not approach or touch
- The chimpanzee habitat area is not accessible to the public and may only be entered on a pre-arranged, guided tour with a staff member
Trail Info
Directions:
- From SR 515 / US 78, head north on Loving Road for 2 miles and turn left on Old Loving Road at “My Mountain Cabin Realty”.
- Continue straight when Old Loving becomes Lowery Road for about 1 mile when you will pass the Jones Family Cemetery.
- The main trail parking is just past the green mailbox #2031 on the right, from there you can take the Blue Trail (.3 miles; moderate) to the trailhead.
- The trailhead is at a secondary parking down the driveway of #2031; the parking area is accessible to those who wish to skip the Blue Trail but may be blocked off during sanctuary special events or private rentals of the event space.
Access:
- The trails are open dawn to dusk.
- Please follow posted hiking trail rules.
- Leashed dogs are allowed.
- Portos are available at the main trailhead.
- There are four different trails so guests of all ages and physical capabilities can enjoy the trails. Click on the images below for more details on each trail.
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Will I see chimps?
- If you head up to the overlook with a pair of binoculars, you might be able to see the chimps in the Peachtree Habitat.
- You will certainly hear the chimps while you hike!
- To get an up close view of the chimps, please check out our visitation and event options here.
Click each trail image to learn more about that trail's distance, difficulty level, and elevation change.
The Blue Trail is an out and back trail. Access from the upper parking lot.
Distance: 0.3 miles
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Elevation Change: 138 ft
Time to Complete: 10 mins
Blue Trail
The Blue Trail will lead you from the upper parking area to the lower and back. This quick access trail has beautiful rhododendrons growing next to a babbling creek. From the upper parking area, you can see the peak of Paris Mountain where both the Yellow and White trails will take you - if you dare!
The Nature Trail is a S-loop. Access from the Trail Head at the lower parking lot.
Complete with 34 interpretive signs about flora and fauna.
Distance: 1.2 miles
Difficulty Level: Easy
Elevation Change: 121 feet
Time to Complete: 35 minutes
Nature Trail
The Nature Trail is easy to stroll with little elevation change and sturdy bridges and steps. Perfect for all hiking levels! Visit the koi pond and learn about native flora and fauna along the path with 34 interpretive educational signs. Visit several times of year to see the seasonal changes in our plant life and check off different migrating bird species.
The Yellow Trail is a loop. Access from the Trail Head at the lower parking lot.
Distance: 2.5 miles
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Elevation Change: 561 feet
Time to Complete: 1.5 hours
Yellow Trail
If you want a good workout, take your time and explore the Yellow Trail. Several switchbacks help mitigate the incline as you hike to the top of Paris Mountain. When the trees are not in full bloom, you can see directly into the Peachtree Habitat and our future Phase II Construction Zone.
The White Trail is a loop. Access from the Trail Head at the lower parking lot.
Distance: 2.5 miles
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Elevation Change: 469 feet
Time to Complete: 1.5 hours
White Trail
While the White Trail travels the same path as the Yellow in some areas, it's unique sections are not for the faint of heart! You will need to hike single file along narrow edges in places; hiking staffs are strongly recommended in wet weather. When the trees are not in full bloom, you can see directly into the Peachtree Habitat and our future Phase II Construction Zone.
Honorary & Memorial Gifts
The Chimp Trails provide opportunities to support the chimpanzees while also honoring a loved one. If you would like to honor a living person’s love for wildlife or the memory of someone special, please consider a donation in honor or in memory of that person. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that your gift is used to provide daily care for the chimpanzees with a lasting legacy marked along the trails for all to see. Learn more here.
Our trails are also listed on these apps:
Read and leave reviews here:
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This project would not be possible without our many generous individual supporters and volunteers. We rely on donations to fulfill our mission, including caring for our existing residents and expanding the sanctuary to accommodate those chimpanzees still waiting in the lab.
Won’t you help us bring the remaining chimps to sanctuary by supporting Project Chimps today? Please donate today because...