Amazing Places to Hike in the Georgia Mountains

59 Responses

  1. Emmanuel Emmato says:

    Great article. 

    I never miss hiking on the weekends and it’s always at the Georgia Mountains though, I met lot of new friends while hiking most times. Hiking helps increase the strength in the leg muscles, builds stability in the core muscles and enhances balance skills.The more technical the terrain is, along with an increase in climbing intensity, the more balance and core strength is required because more muscles are being recruited to manage the steeper terrain.

    • Alyce says:

      Hello Emmanuel! Hiking is great exercise and in North GA, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty all around. It’s a nice bonus when you also make new friends along the way. Thanks for sharing!

  2. Ivana says:

    O my…since I am someone who is really nature fan, I was very pleased with this text. Photos are incredible and they complete whole magical story. Benton MacKaye trail and vineyard caught my special attention. Despite the fact that I’m not professional hiker, this is the place on my map marked as HAVE to visit! 🙂

    • Alyce says:

      Hi Ivana, You don’t have to be a pro to have a fun time on one of these hikes. Make sure that you are prepared for the hike and don’t try to push yourself too far when you’re starting out. I hope you enjoy these great North Georgia trails!

  3. Jamie says:

    I must say, I don’t know that much about Georgia. I have spent all my time in the US on the West Coast. I didn’t realize there was so much great hiking opportunities in the state.  You have laid it our nicely for the hiking enthusiast. What would you recommend as a quick day hike for someone staying in Atlanta?

    • Alyce says:

      Hi Jamie, If you are in Atlanta and don’t mind a couple of hours’ drive, I’d recommend picking out your favorites from the article. However, if you want to stay in the Atlanta area, there are certainly a few great choices:

      The Beltline – in town paved trail that is great for people watching and being in a bustling city. Expect the trail to be crowded on weekends with tourists, people exercising, dog walkers, bicyclists, scooters, and more!

      The Silver Comet Trail – this paved trail starts in the suburbs and travels over a hundred miles into Alabama along an old trail route. Expect crowds of walkers, joggers, and bicyclists, but in a more wooded environment.

      Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area – there are multiple dirt trails that run alongside the river in the northern suburbs of Atlanta. A great way to enjoy the river!

      Stone Mountain Park – there are lots of trails in this park, but a favorite is the short (~20 min) but steep climb to the top of Stone Mountain to see views of the city and beyond!

      Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield and Park – Kennesaw mountain also has a climb to the top of the mountain that rewards hikers with a nice view of the city of Atlanta (to the South) and of the mountains (to the North)

      Enjoy your hike(s)!

  4. Cynthia says:

    The more I read your posts, the more eager I am to get back to Georgia and explore.  It seems like I spend an entire vacation instead of the one day I’ve had in your beautiful state!  My health doesn’t allow for hiking but I do enjoy a nice walk in the woods!  Perhaps the Warwomen Dell Nature Trail is for me?  Thanks for posting!

    • Alyce says:

      Hi Cynthia, I’m glad you are mindful of your health as you look for ways to explore North Georgia. You’ll be happy to know that you’ll find scenic, natural views no matter what you choose to enjoy on your Georgia mountains vacation!

  5. Kokontala says:

    I love travelling, especially for fun instead of business. I’m blown away by the natural beauty of Georgia mountains which must be highlighted on these amazing hikes and trails, as you mentioned. I am very happy to come across this resource with North Georgia hiking trails. They sound amazing and fascinating and a great way to explore North Georgia.

    • Alyce says:

      Whether you hike part of the world-famous Appalachian Trail or some of the smaller hikes to local waterfalls, there are a lot of beautiful places to see in North Georgia!

  6. Sunny says:

    The best Georgia guide ever! Thanks for one more incredible article about Georgia. Have been planning my trip to Georgia for a while now and it’s been a pleasure reading your online guide. Yet one more thing to do is on my list. I love hiking and was thinking about implementing it big time in the upcoming trip. Can’t wait! It’s going to be like a dream getting to know amazing places to hike in the Georgia mountains. 

    • Alyce says:

      Hi Sunny, There are lots of great trails to explore around North Georgia. Whether you want a serious challenge like the Appalachian Trail or an easy walk to a waterfall, there are plenty of options to enjoy!

  7. Joyce Easton says:

    This is a lovely and exciting day for me. I visit vineyards and love hiking as well. Most times, I create fun and eat delicious meals at vineyards. It occurs to me to go on a lovely hike and have a nice time with family and friends in vineyards.

    I found your resources helpful, as I’m planning to visit the Georgia Mountains sometime soon (when it’s safe). I love the trails you’ve spotlighted here. If I may ask, is it hard to navigate on those trails? Hear from you soon! Thanks.

    Joyce

    • Alyce says:

      Hi Joyce, Most of the North Georgia trails in this article are marked well and get plenty of foot traffic, making them fairly easy to navigate. However, I always recommend having a map and compass in your backpack to help you find your way around even better (plus if it’s feasible it’s great to have a GPS too). 

  8. Farah Rehman says:

    I have been looking for a place to adventure out with friends and this seems different to do compared to your typical hotel bookings. The scenery is mind blowing and much to explore and see!

    I admire the Amicalola Falls the most with the tallest waterfall around – that sounds worthwhile to take part in along with the great places around, you’ll never be bored! Thanks for discussing in much detail:)

    • Alyce says:

      Hi Farah, The area around Amicalola Falls is a great place to spend some time (lots of fun activities) and the falls themselves are spectacular! Excellent choice!!

  9. igbunumiracle says:

    Wow…This are really very nice and beautiful easy hikes in the Georgia mountain. I really appreciate and I am glad to have come across this article. I really want to to go hiking so bad with someone special. I think Georgia mountain is the location I will go to. Thanks slot for sharing this. Keep up the good work.

    • Alyce says:

      There are certainly some easier hikes but many of them are quite challenging as well. Be sure to do some research before you start your hike to make sure that you are well prepared for your time in the woods. Enjoy your mountain hike!

  10. Rob Sturdy says:

    I can just smell the fresh pine needles and Georgia peaches from visiting your article.  I agree that Georgia is a beautiful state!  I mean, where else would the best college football team want to play?  Go Dawgs!

    Anyway, growing up, I would spend two weeks’ in the summer in Marietta, with my aunt and uncle.  We would go to the Braves ballpark, Stone Mountain, and Six flags but never really went hiking in the mountains.  With my cousins and sister, that made 8 kids, so they probably we afraid of us getting lost….

    Now as an adult, I need to get back there and try out these parks!  I have four kids that would enjoy it.  We do visit our State Parks once a summer.  No big mountains, but a lot of lakes and streams.

    Thanks for sharing your input on each of the Parks in the Great State of Georgia.  I will visit your site again.

  11. Trevor says:

    This is genuinely my lucky day.  I love hiking and I love visiting vineyards and enjoy eating there too.  I can think of nothing better than to go on a great hike and then have dinner in a vineyard! You have done an excellent job of compiling a terrific resource for anybody interested in travelling to the Georgia M*untains. The Trails you have highlighted sound wonderful.  I completed the “W” in Chile`s Patagonia not long ago, that was a 5 day trek, 2000 miles does indeed sound quite a challenge, I think I would go for a shorter part of one of these trails. Is navigation difficult on these trails?  Great site !

    • Alyce says:

      Hi Trevor, some trails are easier to follow than others, so be sure to take safety equipment and precautions before heading out to navigate the trails! The Fall weather in the Georgia mountains has been perfect for hiking lately!!

  12. Christine says:

    I have never been to Georgia, but I heard a lot about it, and many people have told me how beautiful it is. The Amicalola state park looks amazing, the perfect place to disappear from city life for a while. The animal meet and greets sounds interesting. Can you meet the animals in their natural habitat or in safe enclosures? And is it all done with respectful treatment to the animals?

    The Appalachian Trail sounds like something I would like to do. The area must be amazing. It is a well-known name. The hike looks like a serious challenge, but I would still like to do it – once my knee is better, lol. And wine hikes are always fun. Beautiful trails and then off to the vineyard, that sounds like a great trip, or date 😉 

    Which of the hiking boots do you recommend for the Appalachian Trail?

    • Alyce says:

      Hi Christine, Georgia is a wonderful place to visit and Amicalola State Park is a great place to start! I believe that the animals in the meet-and-greet exhibits are rescue animals that have been trained and live at or near the park. The animal handlers are professionals and always have the animals safety in mind when they interact with people. 

      The Appalachian Trail is world famous and a huge challenge / accomplishment to just complete the Georgia section. It’s much easier to pick a short section and spend a nice day in the woods with nature. 

      Your hiking boot needs will depend on where and when you’ll be hiking, but one of the most important things when selecting boots for a hike is to test them out a good bit before setting out on a new trail in new boots. 

      Let me know if you have any other questions and I hope you can find a time to visit our beautiful state soon!

  13. Nnamdi says:

    Would definitely love go here for the next holidays with my family and friends after school..
    About  the Tellulah Gorge though, would it be crazy to go sky diving from there lol.. I would definitely wanna go sky diving from the top man. It is going to be so amazing, 😱💙💙🌈

    • Alyce says:

      Hmm… while there are places to skydiving in the Georgia mountains, it’s not what Tallulah Gorge is known for. It’s still an amazing place to visit from the ground! 🙂 

  14. Tony says:

    Hi,

    Those trails sound amazing and the scenery looks spectacular. I am a big fan of hiking and I do lot’s of it in the UK where I’m from. I have been all over England, Scotland and Wales on hiking expeditions with the most challenging so far being the Pennine Way, but I have often dreamt of hiking the Appalachian Trail. I am currently planning on doing the Tahoe Rim Trail next year but am looking for something more challenging in 2021.

    I would definitely love to visit and take in all the amazing hikes in Georgia. The question I have is are you able to do the Appalachian Trail all year round or is it best to do it during a particular season?

    Thank you for bringing this excellent post and website of your beautiful State.

    Tony

    • Alyce says:

      Hi Tony, 

      While you can hike most of the Appalachian Trail year round, there may be parts of the trail that close periodically due to hazardous weather conditions. This includes the last section of the trail at Mount Katahdin in Maine which can close during the Winter. 

  15. Wendy says:

    My husband and I love hiking in the mountains but have never spent time in the mountains in Georgia. Mostly we hike in Western Maryland or Virginia or PA. You make Georgia sound so beautiful and appealing. We really need to plan a trip. Thanks for the visual review. I almost feel like I am there.

    • Alyce says:

      The Georgia mountains offer great hiking options for all skill levels. The Georgia mountains remind me of some of the areas where you already hike — you may enjoy the extended hiking season in Georgia when compared to the more northern states!

  16. Rodarrick says:

    Wow! Finally I got this missing piece in my preparation for my family and I’s plan to go for a vacation in the Georgia though we will be staying with her mom. However, this is just perfect. I love hiking a lot and seeing this great places that one could explore as hiking route options semms awesome to me. Thanks a bunch for sharing this out and I will surely try to get them involved in my plans.

  17. crownwole says:

    Wow! It’s a decent guide for anybody arranging hiking. I never knew tallulah gorge is up to 3miles long and 1000 feet deep. You done a great job by outlining everything including compass and GPS which here and there is effectively overlooked. The connection to reserve a hike is a good thought. I think i will prefer amicalola falls because of the lodge, waterfall and option for unique adventures. Can’t wait to experience it. Extremely helpful review, much appreciated.

    • Alyce says:

      I know you’ll have a fantastic time at Amicalola Falls as it is one of the most beautiful places in the area, plus the extra activities make it fun for about anyone!

  18. crownwole says:

    Much obliged to you for this instructive post. It’s a decent guide for anybody arranging climbing. You made it simple by outlining everything including compass and GPS which here and there is effectively overlooked. And furthermore it will encourages peruser to pick in advance which preliminary is best suites for their enjoying. The connection to reserve a hike is a good thought. I think i will prefer amicalola falls because of the lodge, waterfall and option for unique adventures. Extremely helpful review, much appreciated.

  19. Boniface-AndroidBix says:

    Hi Alyce,

    Your posts on Georgia are usually quite captivating!

    Though I’ve not traveled a lot, you make me feel like Georgia is the first place to aim at when US as a destination comes to mind. In your guide you have made me remember of the Appalachian (and the Rocky) mountains that I used to read about in my early classes on geology.

    That trail must be through breathtaking sceneries especially for nature loving painters like me. Do they allow for outdoor painting during hikes or one has to make other arrangements to accommodate that? 

    Boniface- AndroidBix

    • Alyce says:

      These areas are quite beautiful and there are certainly places that you would be able to stop for a spell and paint the views. You should be fine as long as you are considerate of others and make sure you aren’t blocking the trail or disturbing the area. 

  20. Raivis says:

    Hi there. Thank you for posting this article. We are keen hikers and love to travel. My girlfriend just completed Santiago road through Spain and Portugal. We also did hiking in Norway visiting famous Troltunga. As we are planning our next trip it is so handy to read your article. Which road from mentioned in the article is most well known and why? Have there been accidents with animals? Tullulah Gorge seems to caught my eye 🙂 Will definitely explore it further.

    • Alyce says:

      Oooh, those sound like amazing hikes! The best known trail in the Georgia mountains is certainly the Appalachian Trail, as it is the longest trail in the world. It would take months to complete the entire trail, but fortunately there are many sections that are more suitable for a short day hike. 

  21. Henderson says:

    Thanks for adding this to the list of adventurous things I should take out time to do at the Georgian mountains. I am at the mountains for my summer and after checking out winery’s and a lot more, I feel there’s nothing else to do. Thank 6ou for adding this. I guess I’ll just check out the map which trail is closer so I’ll just go on a fun hiking experience.

    • Alyce says:

      Checking a map for nearby trails is a great idea… there are so many trails in the Georgia mountains that you should not need to travel far to find a great spot to explore!

  22. codevonish says:

    I have visited the USA about a dozen times, but never had the pleasure of hiking, three of those times was as an artist in residence, the other times were to host art exhibitions, I was there on 9/11, preparing to host an exhibition Yards away from the disaster area. Unfortunately I have stopped travelling , unless it is really necessary. During my time in the Uk I did enjoy a few hiking trips and found them enjoyable. I have done a little in the Caribbean, even going into the Montserrat Volcano before it erupted. There are some planned hikes in Anguilla, but I don’t think I am fit enough to manage them, which can include crawling through caves. I am a nature lover and could have enjoyed  some of the hikes, they look very challenging. Does hiking pose any dangers? I shudder at the thought of being down in the volcano.Thanks for sharing.

    • Alyce says:

      There are certainly dangers to be prepared for when hiking into the wilderness. Exposure to the weather elements can be serious and although it happens infrequently, encounters with large wildlife like bears is also possible. 

  23. Kevin And Jade says:

    Thank you for this extensive guide. 

    Never been to the Georgia mountains but am always interested to know about potential places to visit. I do love to hike and seeing wondrous scenery along the way is simply one-of-a-kind.

    Which of these trails would you recommend a young family try first? We have one under-5 year old and whilst he’s very active, he obviously doesn’t have the stamina yet to walk a full trail. 

    Thanks again.

  24. H. Tracy says:

    Believe it or not, but I have actually been here when I was younger and could handle hiking better than I do now. Georgia actually has some of my favorite trails ever and the views are absolutely fantastic! I just wished I could go back there, but my health doesn’t really afford it. I don’t think I could walk for more than 100 miles without a stop now, which is really sad for me. Anyway, I really have to agree with you on recommending Georgia mountains as a hiking destination, they’re amazing!

    • Alyce says:

      Thanks for sharing! The Georgia mountains are definitely a beautiful place to visit — either for an easy scenic drive or a lengthy hike. 

  25. Dan says:

    Hi. I’m planning on going hiking somewhere in Georgia, but I’m not completely sure about the place. I’m used to hiking but this time I’m taking some friends with me and some of them have little experience (2 of them are young women, so they’re not very accustomed to long hikes). I’m thinking whether the Appalachian trail would be good enough for them, meaning whether they could handle it or not. I’ve never been there but I heard the views are awesome and your article seems to be confirming it. Anyway, I’ll do my research and choose something easier if this turns out to be too hard for the girls.

    • Alyce says:

      Hi Dan, You can always start with a shorter loop hike to get a sense of your hiking party’s comfort levels. It’s definitely a good idea to consider everyone’s preferences and abilities when heading out into the wilderness!

  26. Daniel says:

    Hello, I must say that this article is very helpful and informative. Hiking is one of my hobbies and I really enjoy hiking with some of my friends. Unfortunately, I have never been to Georgia although I plan to go there next year because I can see how beautiful that place is. This is definitely something I must show my friends, they will be very surprised, thank you for sharing.

  27. Scott Hinkle says:

    Oh man!  Where was this back when I was living in Florida?  I’d hit Georgia all the time.  Now it looks like I’ll have to return just to visit a few of these places.

    Now I’ll admit, when I hit Georgia, it was usually to pass-through on my way up to Virginia or DC, etc.  Had I known about these places, I probably would have made a detour.

    Amicalola Falls sounds amazing and I’d love to have a try at the ax-throwing for sure.  I also know that the zipline would be on my list too.

    Then we have the wine hikes…  That’s the one for muy husband.  He loves his wines.  I don’t drink but making a hike out if it sounds great and would give me something more to do than be the designated driver!  I’m going to check out that map and see if it’s something he might like to try.

    Thank you so much for this information,

    Scott

    • Alyce says:

      Hi Scott, it’s sounds like you probably drove through the Eastern / coastal part of Georgia when driving through from Florida to the DC… and although that part of Georgia is beautiful, it’s does not go through the mountains. Hopefully you can find a chance to come back for a visit to the Georgia mountains and enjoy some great hikes!

  28. Anthony Hu says:

    Thank you for your post. It is a nice guide for anyone who is planning hiking. You summarize everything including compass and GPS, which sometimes is easily forgotten.

    I live in New York state and hiked in the New York section of the Appalachian Trail. I have a hiking friend who is planning to hike the entire 2192 miles of the Appalachian Trail. He asked me to join him, but I have job and have no enough time to do a long term hiking, since it will take several months to complete the entire trail. I plan to do this when I retire. 

    It is kind of you sharing this helpful information with us.

    • Alyce says:

      I have a friend who has been hiking the full Appalachian Trail this year, and the technology that he took with him has made it a fun journey for those of us who are cheering him on from home… when he reaches certain points, he can share the day-by-day progress on a map from a GPS tracker! It’s so cool to see that level of detail and progress!!

  29. MissusB says:

    My small family enjoys nature at its best. Hiking may not be easy for my kids, 10 and 13 but they are always up for challenge. What’s great in Georgia Mountain trails is the best natural sceneries with an easy access to accommodations such as restaurants and lodges. It’s a must for hikers especially with young ones. I am pretty excited to bring them and see a friendly wilderness they can explore. 

    While all those trails are great, I think my top choice would be the Tallulah Gorge as it has variety of activities to offer such as lake swimming, film showing and exhibit. All great to keep the kids busy. We will try out to cross the suspension bridge to see the spectacular view. The Amicalola Falls is another great option for our family because we have a common love for waterfalls and great outdoor activities await to be explored. My daughter would definitely love to see some animals she had never seen in real life. Thank you for this recommendation. You are right about how it would be better to plan this mountain hiking trip but you made it easier for the readers to choose beforehand which trail is best suited for their liking. You made us take a peak of what’s to he expected because of your great review. 

    • Alyce says:

      It’s great that you are keeping your family’s needs in mind as you plan your hiking trips. Tallulah Gorge even has a pretty view from the parking lot, but you’ll definitely get a better appreciation for the site if you take the hike out over the bridge! Hope you have a wonderful trip!

  30. Charles says:

    Thank you what a nice article. I appreciated the table of contents in the beginning. It looks like a very well structured article and very thorough. I would like to get more into traveling at some point in my life. I never would have thought of the Georgia Mountains. But I actually know a few people in Georgia.

    hiking in a group can be a nice way to meet people. Thanks for the link to reserve a hike. I will bookmark this page and come back to it later once I can see when a hike will fit in my schedule.

    • Alyce says:

      Hi Charles, I hope you do get a chance to visit the Georgia mountains and enjoy a hike — either with your friends in the area or as a way to meet some new people!

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