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68 maconmagazine.com | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 The Trails The best trail for you depends on your motivation for taking a hike. Luckily, there is a trail that can match just about any need. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly hike or training to hike the Appalachian Trail and need something challenging, there's a trail for that. If you are a jogger and want something to mix up your routine, there's a trail for that. If you are looking for something scenic and fun to explore with your friends, guess what? There's a trail for that. Local Hiking Groups Walking a trail for the first time can be exciting, but also intimidating. It can be difficult to know what to expect. From parking to difficulty level, many questions accompany the decision to take a hike. Local hiking groups do a lot of the groundwork for you. Their experience and familiarity with the trails help you know what you're getting into. "When I moved back to Macon in 2015," Pam Pinkston said, "I wanted to find other people with whom to hike. I quickly found that a lot of Middle Georgians do not know about all the wonderful trails that are practically in our backyards. At the same time, I also found that there were a good number of people who did not feel safe on the trails, especially by themselves. Thus, Southern Queer Folk Hikes was born. Since then, I have also begun efforts to help relieve some of the obstacles our BIPOC communities face in accessing outdoor spaces." With Southern Queer Folk Hikes, Pam leads local hikes almost every weekend. She is committed to creating a hiking culture inclusive of all levels and motivations. "The outdoors is for everyone and everybody," she said. "You do not need special gear or Southern Queer Folk Hikes' Pam Pinkston leads a group hike on Selma Irwin Nature Trail (our "Best Workout" pick).