This week
Fall Friday Hikes, Helen. Guided hikes. Preregister. 2 to 4 p.m. Fridays in October, Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. $3 parking. (706) 878-3087.
Elachee’s pre-order plant sale, Gainesville. If you ordered plants, pick them up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. (770) 535-1976.
Father and son gorge hike, Tallulah Falls. Hike Tallulah Gorge. Strenuous hike involving rock hopping and getting wet. Age 10 and older. Pets not allowed in the gorge. Hike from the rim to the river. 9 a.m. Saturday, Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls. $4 parking. (706) 754-7981 or Georgia State Parks.
Upcoming
Holiday Golf Classic, Buford. Benefits Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County. Four man, best ball scramble/bird eagle. Oct. 19: Registration, 7 a.m.; range opens, 7:30 a.m.; shotgun, 9 a.m.; lunch awards banquet, 1:30 p.m., Pineisle Golf Course, Lake Lanier Islands, 7000 Holiday Road, Buford. $125 per player, $500 per team includes cart, green fees, gate admission, range balls, drink tickets, ditty bags, door prizes and lunch. Preregistration recommended. (770) 945-7201.
Southern Appalachian Mushrooms, Helen. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 27, Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. $3 parking. (706) 878-3087.
The Beetle Battle Paddle, Dahlonega. Benefit to help save Hemlock Trees. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 27, Appalachian Outfitters, 2084 Ga. 60, Dahlonega. $43 canoes and double sit-on-top kayaks, $28 single kayaks. Bring a picnic. (706) 864-7117.
Ongoing
Mountain Bike Ride with Bike Town USA, Oakwood. All levels welcome. 6:45 p.m. Mondays, Gainesville State College, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood. Free. (770) 532-7090.
Saturday Afternoon Paddle, Gainesville. Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club. 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays through October, Clarks Bridge Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. (770) 287-7888.
Recreation rides, Alto. Bike 12 to 22 miles at 7 a.m. Saturdays, Habersham Bicycles, Ga. 365, Alto. Also: 20-35 fast pace (18-23 mph) rides 6:15 p.m. Tuesdays; road time trials, Thursdays. No ride if raining or if cooler than 40 degrees. Free. Joe Elam, (706) 894-2453.
Planetarium Show, Dahlonega. 8 p.m. Fridays, North Georgia College & State University Planetarium and Observatory on Sunset Drive, Dahlonega. Free. Weather permitting, planetarium (706) 864-1471, observatory (706) 864-1470.
Lanier Running Club Meeting, Gainesville. 7 p.m. first Monday of each month. Open to runners, walkers, joggers, competitive high and middle school track and XC. Meets at the Boiler Room, 212 Spring St. S.W., Gainesville. Free. (770) 531-7721.
Bike Ride, Helen. 25-mile ride around the Batesville Loop. Stop halfway for coffee. 9 a.m. Wednesdays, Woody’s Mountain Bikes, 457 Ga. 356, Helen. Free. (706) 878-3715.