The Mountain Loop Trails is an easy 5.5 mile trail which has a side trail feature at the Antebellum Plantation. This white blazed trail is also known as the Stone Mountain National Recreation Trail or the Cherokee Trail. The elevation on this trail reaches 1,100 feet which offers scenic views of the Stone Mountain and the Confederate Memorial. The path starts from a sidewalk at the Confederate Hall passing through the Stone Mountain Railroad and then turning left. Continue along the sidewalk for around 0.2 of a mile and walk under a bridge tower into the forest in a counterclockwise direction.

The pathway continues to follow right as it moves down to two bridges across a creek. Go straight ahead and then make a left turn as the pathway continues on an orange connector trail. At 0.6 of a mile, curve right as the pathway joins the Natural Trail Loop. On this section, there is an exhibit which informs visitors about Georgia's native tree and shrub species. Proceed to follow the footpath passing by a small old structure on your left. Continue to a railed bridge and emerge out from the nature garden.

Passing a house with a chimney along the way, move forward as the pathway curves right. At 1.3 miles the treadway makes an ascent to some railroad-tie steps. Across the Robert E. Lee Boulevard on the right, move past by a playground as the path rejoins the forest circling the playground. Curve left along a gravel road prior to crossing the dam. Down a cement overflow move forward to step on the other side as the footpath meanders left. Cross the creek over a railed bridge which now proceeds to cross the Stonewall Jackson Drive about 0.1 mile from that point.

At this point, continue to go straight ahead passing Venable Lake on your left and then the trail bears to the right where it approaches a stream. Move past a scenery of cascades as the path curves left. The trail goes back to the lake shore and continues to swerve right as it joins the Stone Mountain Lake. The footpath runs adjacent to the lake as the trail continues between the grist mill and the covered bridge. At this point you will also see two granite heart-shaped tablets.

Continue moving forward passing a spring house as it crosses the rail road tracks before Memorial Plaza. On the other end of the plaza the trail now crosses another railroad track at an intersection wherein it continues to a picnic area into the woods. Stay on track at the Stone Mountain Loop as it swerves left to make an ascent to Stone Mountain. Follow the orange connector trail that retraces the trail back to the Confederate Hall.