GIDDY-UP! NORTH GEORGIA HORSEBACK RIDING
One of the very best ways to get the truly authentic Blue Ridge experience is to go horseback riding in the North Georgia Mountains. Sitting astride a magnificent steed gives you a whole new appreciation for the beauty and way of life that surrounds you. Whether you’re riding on a hushed snowy morning, a clear spring day amongst all the wildflowers, coming upon a doe and her fawns hiding in lush summer greenery, or trotting through the colorful falling leaves of autumn—you will enjoy an adventure that gives you memories to last a lifetime. There are many, many fine stables in the mountains. Here is a list of my Top Five. I hope it helps you.
Adventure Trail Rides, located in Blue Ridge, offers guided tours through breath-taking Cashes Valley every day on old logging roads and back country paths. You’ll cross two tributaries of Fightingtown Creek. As you travel through the valley, you’ll be surrounded by awesome mountain views, including some long range views of Tennessee peaks. Toward the end of the trip, experienced riders can run their horses in the open field. Adventure Trail Rides offers 3 distinctly different riding packages:
- This is the all-time favorite for families. It has scenic horse trails that are easy enough for beginners, but challenging enough to excite everyone.
- This ride has a combination of scenery and wildlife on a more advanced terrain.
- Experienced riders can canter and travel up mountainsides to enjoy fantastic views from the top.
Call (706) 258-2276 for more information and to make reservations. During peak seasons, reservations are required. You should call at least one week in advance to assure your family an adventure ride they will be talking about for a long time. Adventure Trail Rides (ATR) is closest to Rainbow Cabins’ WhiteWater Cabin.
Directions: At the Blue Ridge McDonalds, head north on Hwy 5 and go 3.8 miles. Turn left on Hwy 2. You’ll see the big ATR sign on the corner. Continue on Hwy 2 for 3.8 miles. After Lickskillet Road on the right, turn left on Cashes Valley Road. Go about one mile to find ATR on your left.
Blanche Manor is located in Copperhill, TN, just a few minutes from Blue Ridge. Sitting on 350 acres of private mountain land, Blanche Manor is home to a variety of wildlife. All rides are guided by experienced and friendly folk who offer complete safety instructions. Rides include walking, trotting and cantering—depending on the rider’s ability, experience and comfort. Each trip features stunning panoramic views of Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. You’ll be riding a smooth going Tennessee Walking Horse (that was handpicked just for you) as you wander along wooded trails and forge streams. You’ll really get to know your horse and probably request him each year when you return. Blanche Manor offers 3 riding experiences:
- For $30, you get a 1.25 hour trail ride that is great for all ages & abilities. This ride leaves at 10 AM, noon or 3 PM daily.
- For $40, you get a more advanced ride that lasts approximately 1.5 hours. This ride is faster paced and covers more trails. It is NOT for the beginner. The ride leaves at 10 AM.
- For $50, you get the most advanced ride which lasts 2 hours.
Blanche Manor offers “horsey” experiences for all ages. Children 5 and under can take a pony ride in the ring. And, families can ride the hay wagon through a working apple orchard, enjoy a fireside dinner and be entertained by musicians and storytellers.
Call (706) 455-7433 or (423) 496-1060 to reserve your ride. Blanche Manor is open year round and invites you to experience rides in all seasons.
Directions: Take Hwy 5 north from the Blue Ridge McDonald’s. Go 10.2 miles. Turn left at the 1st stoplight in McCaysville (Tennessee Avenue). Go 3.2 miles. This road becomes Mobile Road. Turn right onto Bethel Church Road and go .4 mile. Turn left onto Mt. Harmony Church Road and go 1 mile. Turn right onto Deal Hollow. Go .2 mile where you will see the Blanche Manor mailbox. Follow the signs to the barn.
Mule Top Mountain Outfitters (MTMO) is always a great choice, especially if you are staying at Rainbow Cabins’ Laughing Bear Lodge or River Lodge. This stable specializes in creating custom packages to perfectly fit your needs. Situated on 350 acres in the foothills of the Cohutta Wilderness Area, you’ll ride through mountains, valleys and creeks of limitless scenic splendor. Mule Top offers hourly and ½ day horseback trail rides, hayrides, chuck wagon rides and overnight camping/riding trips. You can even arrange a romantic moonlight ride! MTMO welcomes visitors of all ages and levels of experience. For those too young, too old, or too “heavy” ( be aware that many stables have a weight restriction of 220-240 lbs) to go out on trail rides, the famous Hells Hollow Chuck Wagon, pulled by a team of mules, might be the perfect way for anyone to enjoy the horses.
For reservations, call or text (706) 633-7055.
Directions: Take Hwy 5 north from the McDonald’s in Blue Ridge for 6 miles. Turn left at the Abernathy’s Furniture Store, then turn right onto Madola Road. Travel on Madola until it deadends, then turn left. In about 100 feet 
bear right onto Macedonia Church Road. Go about 2.5 miles. Turn left onto Hells Hollow Road and go to the 4th driveway/dirt road on the left where you’ll see Muletop’s black mailbox labeled #319.
Cedar Crest Stables is located 15 miles west of the Ellijay Town Square. It’s a little further away from Blue Ridge, but needs to be mentioned. Cedar Crest offers flatter trails than the other stables, making it ideal for families with younger riders. Because of Cedar Crest’s proximity to Ft. Mountain State Park, it’s easy to make a great family fun day—horse riding in the morning and swimming and picnicking in the afternoon. Cedar Crest Stables offers one hour trail rides for $25. One and a half hour rides are $35. Children must be 7 years old to ride the trails, but $5 pony rides are available for the younger set. Call (706)633-3671 for reservations and directions.
Cedar Crest Stables
A Step Above, located in Blairsville, is the premiere full service horse facility—they instruct, board, breed, show and sell world champion Tennessee Walking Horses. They know horses. They also offer trail rides through the natural wonders of the North Georgia Mountains. You will follow a guide through forest trails, some of which overlook lovely Lake Nottely. While a guide is provided, you can choose at what pace you wish to travel. When the trail opens up, you can experience the smooth quickened “gait & rack” of which the walking horse is most known. What sets this horse riding establishment apart—“A Step Above,” if you will—is that they will take small groups or families on trail rides to make it a more enjoyable experience. Although it is nice to make new friends in a large group, sometimes you want to ride with just the people you know so you can set your own itinerary and pace, not having to accommodate others.
A Step Above has different trails that are guided in 1, 1 ½ and 2 hour rides. Rates are $30 per person per hour. Rides leave every hour on the hour year round, but please call first to make a reservation. Pony rides are available for kids under 7 years old.
You don’t need any special skills to ride a Tennessee Walker. The wranglers will match you with the perfect horse. A Step Above Stables are located just 4.5 miles NW of Blairsville, GA, off Hwy 19/129N. Call (706) 745-9051 or (706) 994-9100 for reservations.
**Please see my blog on www.RainbowCabins.com for Guidelines for Horseback Riding in the Blue Ridge Mountains.