Hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia
You couldn't have picked a better spot…these are some of the most beautiful trails in the Southeast. The Appalachian Trail (AT) began as a vision of forester Benton MacKaye, was developed by volunteers and opened as a continuous trail in 1937. Many of the trails you will see here (both waterfall and scenic) link either to the AT or to the BMT (Benton MacKaye Trail) and range in difficulty from simple walks to fairly challenging hikes. We strongly recommend you follow the links on this page and heed the suggestions of those who have taken these paths before you to ensure a safe, enjoyable day. Have fun!
Trails
Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT) . The
AT is a 2,174 mile footpath along the ridgecrests and across the major
valleys of the Appalachian Mountains from Katahdin in Maine to Springer
Mountain in Northern Georgia.
Brass Town Bald Mountain. A half mile trail
from the parking lot to the top of Brasstown Bald, the highest mountain
in Georgia. The spectacular 360-degree view from the observation deck
make this a great place to visit.
Benton MacKaye and the Appalachian Trail.
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a 2,167-mile (3,488 km) footpath
along the ridge crests and across the major valleys of the Appalachian
Mountains. The Georgia section of the "AT" as it is fondly
called by hikers, runs from Springer Mountain to Bly Gap with an old
narly tree marking your entry into North Carolina. The Benton MacKaye
trail intersects the AT at 4 points, creating 3 large loops which allow
for day or half-day hikes. There are 3 access points to the BMT in
this area - note while all are unpaved, they are passable in all seasons
by automobile.
AT Springer Mountain to Woody Gap
First leg of the Appalachian Trail passes Three Forks, one of the best-known
intersections.
Georgia Hiking Trails
Trail reports, descriptions, weather reports, hiking gear, etc..
Other Georgia Trails .
Waterfalls
Amicalola Falls State Park
Amicalola, a Cherokee Indian word meaning tumbling waters, is an appropriate
name for these 729-foot falls the tallest east of the Mississippi River.
An eight-mile approach trail leads from the park to Springer Mountain,
the southern end of the 2,150-mile Appalachian Trail, although there
are about 12 miles of hiking trails contained in the park itself.
Falls Branch Falls
Relatively short hike to see this beautiful 60 foot waterfall.
Long Creek Falls
A 1.7 mile hike that passes "Deliverance Rock" (made famous
by the movie). The multi-tiered, 50-foot cascade and accompanying plunge
pool offer a nice break after a moderate, hour-long hike. Be aware that
this is not an official Forest Service trail, so there are no permanent
markings.
Other Georgia Waterfall Trails
Maps
Appalachian Trail Conference
AT Maps (GPS, GIS)
Kingfisher Maps
Maps of Rivers, Streams, and Trails
Georgia Dept of Natural Resources
Geologic Survey maps and publications
US Forest Service (Chattahoochee - Oconee)
National Forest and Wilderness Maps