Amazing Places to Hike in the Georgia Mountains
The Georgia mountains are so naturally beautiful, that it is hard to resist the urge to go outside on a nice day. Fortunately, there are some amazing hikes and trails that highlight the best of the area!
The most famous trails in Georgia are the Appalachian Trail and the Benton MacKaye Trail, which draw thousands of hikers each year. While there are a small handful of hikers who complete the 2000+ miles of the Appalachian Trail each year, most hikers choose to hike a much smaller section.
Hiking in North Georgia Mountains
In addition to these well-known challenging trails, there are many other great places to find easy hikes in the Georgia mountains! Choose your challenge level and set out to explore the quiet paths and clean air of these beautiful mountains.
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Hiking Options and Trails in the Georgia Mountains
To get the most out of your adventures, you’ll want to do some advance planning and select the right trail for your party. This is a small collection of local favorites, but you can also take advantage of other books, maps, websites, and other resources available to find a great hiking trail.
North Georgia Hiking Trails
Amicalola Falls
Located in Amicalola Falls State Park, this park has the tallest cascading waterfall East of the Mississippi River. There are 10 trails emanating from the park, including the 8.5-mile Approach Trail that runs from the park to Springer Mountain (the southern terminus of the famous Appalachian Trail).
In addition to the trails, waterfalls, and natural beauty, there is a lodge, restaurant, and options for unique adventures like axe throwing, ziplining, archery, scavenger hunts, animal meet-and-greets, and wilderness survival sessions!
Amicalola Falls State Park in the Georgia Mountains
Amicalola Falls State Park hours are 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. All cars require a $5 GA State Park Pass.
Appalachian Trail
At 2,192 total miles, The Appalachian Trail (the AT) is the ultimate challenge for serious hikers on the East Coast. However, hiking smaller sections of the AT can also be an enjoyable way to take a quick day hike. The trail receives 3 million visitors each year, but only a small handful of these visitors attempt to travel the entire length through 14 states.
Although the trail starts in Georgia, only 79 miles of the AT run through the state, with parts that range from easy to challenging (rating 2 – 7) and elevation changes from 2,510′ – 4,461′. Almost half of the AT in Georgia passes through federally designated wilderness areas.
Appalachian Trail Markers in Georgia Mountains
The Appalachian Trail starts at Springer Mountain, which is an 8.5-mile hike from the drop-off point at Amicalola Falls.
Bartram Trail
The multi-state Bartram Trail that follows William Bartram’s 18th-century route through 8 southern colonies has just over 30 miles of trails in Northeast Georgia. Explore the gentler Warwoman Dell Nature Trail (0.4 miles) or try the more challenging Rabun Bald Trail (3 miles) for rewarding 360° views from Georgia’s second-highest peak!
Multi-state historic Bartram Trail
Learn more about the history and current status of the trail from the Bartram Trail Conference.
Benton MacKaye Trail
Named for the man who originally conceived and fought for the concept of the Appalachian Trail, the Benton MacKaye Trail is also a favorite trail in the Georgia mountains. There are numerous access points and trailheads along the BMT, which create many options for one-way and loop hikes. One of the more popular sights is the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge, a 270-foot hiker’s bridge over the Toccoa River where the Benton MacKaye Trail meets the Duncan Ridge National Recreation Trail.
Perfect Fall day at Swinging Bridge Over the Toccoa River (part of Benton MacKaye Trail)
Click to view a map/guide of the BMT landmarks and see how the AT and BMT intersect.
Brasstown Bald
Visit the tallest mountain in Georgia and take in 360° views from the top of Brasstown Bald (elevation 4,784′). The Brasstown Bald Summit Trail connects the parking area to the Visitor Center / Viewing Platform, and is a short, but very steep, 0.6-mile paved foot trail. There is a shuttle service provided for those who require an alternative to walking the trail.
Brasstown Bald Observation Deck in North Georgia [photo ExploreGeorgia]
Tallulah Gorge State Park
Tallulah Gorge is one of the most spectacular gorges in the southeast, and runs 3 miles long and 1,000 feet deep! Tallulah Gorge’s breathtaking views make this a favorite stopping point along Highway 441. A suspension bridge sways 80 feet above the rocky bottom, providing amazing views of the Tallulah River and waterfalls.
Tallulah Gorge State Park in North Georgia [photo ExploreGeorgia]
Wine Hikes at Montaluce Vineyard & Winery
Combine 2 of the best activities in the Georgia mountains by going on a hike through a beautiful Georgia mountain vineyard!
Wine hikes are available every Saturday and Sunday morning at Montaluce near Dahlonega. You’ll have a trained guide for the 1.8-mile hike on nature trails along the headwaters of the Etowah River and through the vineyard. After the hike, you’ll retreat to Montaluce’s beautiful patio overlooking the vineyard to enjoy a tasting of five Montaluce wines. Reservations can be made online ($45 per person) for this unique experience.
Montaluce Vineyard and Wine Hike in the Georgia Mountains
Hiking Resources for the Georgia Mountains
To get the most out of your adventures, you’ll want to do some advance planning and have the right equipment for your trek. These are some gear favorites that should help get you started with your hike planning.
Books
Find detailed information about the area’s best hikes in these highly-rated books.
Maps
Maps are essential tools to both plan your hike and to stay on course when you are on the trail. These tear-proof and waterproof topographic maps will hold up to years of use and can be used in inclement weather. These are best used to get a general idea of the overall area — they cover a large area so there may be better / more detailed options for individual trails.
Hiking Gear for Georgia (and Beyond!)
The specific gear you’ll need for any hike will depend on the time of year, environment, weather conditions, and length of your hike. Be certain to check with park rangers about specific things to stay alert for on your trail (including any animal/wildlife cautions in the area).
Backpack
Make sure to set out with a comfortable backpack that fits comfortably and will hold your water, food, and gear and keep your things dry in case of poor weather.
Compass
Practice using your compass before you go on a long hike. You’ll want to have this skill handy long before it’s needed.
GPS
A GPS unit that is made specifically for hiking has higher sensitivity and should have better reception/performance under tree cover or in deep canyons.
Hiking Boots
Make sure that your shoes/boots are comfortably broken in before you set out on a long hike. Comfortable sneakers can be much better for a hike than boots that are not properly broken in.
What are your other essential items to have on a great hike?
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Remember to always let someone know where you are going, and be prepared for the hike by choosing your gear, routes, and hiking partners carefully in order to have the best experience possible.
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.
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.
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.
Your young one would probably enjoy the chance to bounce on the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge, plus it is also one of the shorter hikes!
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!
Thanks for sharing! The Georgia mountains are definitely a beautiful place to visit — either for an easy scenic drive or a lengthy hike.
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.
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!
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.
Wonderful – I do hope that you and your friends will enjoy your trip(s) to the Georgia mountains!
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
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!
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.
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!!
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.
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!
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.
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!