Trails of Georgia's Appalachia
Discovery of a people and place can be done in a variety of ways. One can drive a car along a road or highway, ride a bike along a path, hike down a footpath, or canoe down a river. No matter what method you choose or when you come, Georgia’s Appalachia is filled with trails of all kinds that will help you discover the beauty of the region, the creative and strong spirit of the people and the many interesting sites throughout North Georgia that are like nowhere else… except, in Georgia’s Appalachia.
Appalachian Trail www.georgia-atclub.org The Appalachian Trail in Georgia extends some 80 miles through the primitive areas of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Although rising at times to elevations of over 4,000 feet, the Trail is mostly along ridges at elevations of about 3,000 feet. It offers unlimited hiking adventure of exceptional challenge and variety. Ascents and descents are sometimes steep, but are often rewarded by scenic vistas from rocky outcrops and open summits. A series of white blazes, trail marking, indicate the Appalachian Trail while blue blazes designate side trails and trails to water. Along the way, the hiker will find shelters for camping. The Trail's southern terminus is located atop remote Springer Mountain, near Forest Service Road 42. Since this area is difficult to reach by automobile, an 8.5 mile blue blazed "approach trail " begins at Amicalola Falls State Park on GA 52. Outstanding peaks along the Trail include Big Cedar Mountain, Blood Mountain, Cowrock Mountain, Rocky Mountain, and Tray Mountain. One of the many side trails leads from Chattahoochee Gap to the highest point in Georgia, Brasstown Bald. Bly Gap on the Georgia/North Carolina border is the northern end of the AT in Georgia. See the complete trail description. The Georgia Trail is managed and maintained by the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service, Chattahoochee National Forest.
Aska Trails 3990 Appalachian Hwy., Blue Ridge, 30513
706-632-5680, 800-899-6867
www.blueridgemountains.com The Aska Trails Area is a 17-mile hiking–mountain-biking trail system on national forest lands. Trails range in length from 1 to 5.5 miles and are open to the pub¬lic year-round.
Blue & Gray Trail www.blueandgraytrail.com This trail pays tribute to some of the Civil War's most dramatic events. The thievery of Andrews' Raiders made famous in the Disney film "The Great Locomotive Chase" is noted in numerous railroad depots, historic markers, museums and events from Kennesaw to Tunnel Hill. Consider the site of one of the bloodiest Confederate victories where over 34,000 soldiers died - Chickamauga and Chattanooga was named the first National Military Park in 1890. Places like Missionary Ridge, Allatoona Pass and Pickett's Mill beckon you to remember more.
Camp Toccoa Driving Tour http://www.visitnortheastgeorgia.com/camp_toccoa_driving_tour.htm Revisit the World War II Paratrooper Camp of Currahee Mountain and other associated sites featured in the HBO mini-series, "Band of Brothers". Sites include the Stephens County Historical Museum, "Sink Trail", and Airborne Monument.
Chieftains Trail
www.chieftainstrail.com This trail was designated as a State Historic Trail by the 1988 Georgia General Assembly for the purpose of preservation, promotion and commemoration of Georgia's Native American heritage. Use the Chieftains Trail Travel Map as a guide along a 150-mile auto tour that interprets pre-historic, Cherokee and Creek cultures in the enchanted High Country. Nine public attractions, four gateway cities, and many historic communities await your stop along the way. Visitors are always surprised by their discoveries of the Cherokees and earlier Indian Cultures and by the suspenseful events that led to the tragic "Trail of Tears." The Chieftains Trail offers a great learning vacation for families, individuals and tour groups.
Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway www.GaScenicByway.org What locals sometimes see as just a road to get to town and back, to those visiting, it's a path that holds treasures waiting for discovery – old barns, quaint homes, mountain shadows, country fairs, historic remnants of times past and interesting people just living the life reflective of old-fashioned Southern hospitality. Such is the 54-mile Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway as it travels State Highways 2 and 52, U.S. 411, and rural county roads in Dalton and Chatsworth. Fort Mountain State Park and Prater's Mill Historic Site mark the trailheads with spurs to the Cohutta Fishery and Chattahoochee National Forest along the way.
Folk Potters Trail www.folkpotterymuseum.com
The Folk Potters Trail of Northeast Georgia leads the visitor to men and women linked to a 200 year-tradition of crafting pottery once essential for household use and now valued and collected as distinctive folk art. Meeting these potters - the Hewells, Meaders and others - viewing and collecting their work will connect you to a unique heritage of American and Southern folk art. Begin your journey along the Folk Potters Trail at the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia in Sautee, where you will learn the stories and heritage of folk potters and see exhibits representative of their work.
Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway www.byways.org/browse/byways/15724 Experience the varied terrain of northwest Georgia. Mountain overlooks and fertile farmlands can be found along the 51-mile byway as it travels U.S. 27, State Highways 156 and 136, and rural county roads. Outdoor activities ranging hiking, camping, and picnicking to fishing and hunting can be enjoyed at the Keown Falls Scenic Area, the Pocket, and John's Mountain Overlook and Wildlife Management Area. The surrounding countryside also holds the histories of the native Cherokee Indian Nation; Civil War battles; and early settlers whose farmhouses built in the 1800s still stand.
Russell Brasstown Scenic Byway
www.dot.state.ga.us/dot/plan-prog/planning/projects/scenic_byways/russell.shtml Located within the Chattahoochee National Forest in northeast Georgia, the Russell Brasstown Scenic Byway is a 41-mile loop revealing some of the most dramatic scenery in the state. The Russell-Brasstown route was awarded National Scenic Byway Designation on June 15, 2000! For more information on the National Scenic Byway's Russell Brasstown page please visit www.byways.org. Included on this route is Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest mountain. Located near the byway is the Bavarian-themed town of Helen. Following State Highways 348, 180, and 17/75, the loop encircles Wildlife Management Areas, the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River, and a section of the Appalachian Trail. Nearby Vogel and Unicoi State Parks offer numerous recreational opportunities in addition to the camping, fishing and hiking facilities found along the Byway.
Sautee Nacoochee Valleys Association www.sauteenacoochee.com Experience the preserved mountain community in a rural historic district. Explore its Native American history, site of gold mines and African-American settlement of former slaves of the valley settlers. Recognized as a "Top 100 Small Arts" Community", visit the Nacoochee Center with its History Museum, local art gallery, and performance arts theater. Discover the treasures in historic buildings now offering visitors fine dining, intimate lodging, and diverse shopping.
Scenic 197 www.scenic197.com From Clarkesville, head north on GA Highway 197 - you can shop for antiques, herbs, handmade soaps, gifts, flowers, and crafts - have lunch, go fishing, wade in the creek get some boiled peanuts, wander through gardens, have dinner, spend the night…and it's all on Georgia Scenic Highway 197.
Silver Comet Trail and Riverwalk 604 Goodyear St., Rockmart, GA 30153
770-684-8760 or 800-226-2517
www.pathfoundation.org The Silver Comet Trail, connecting Atlanta to the Alabama state line, is accessible from downtown Rockmart. Open daily. Free.
Southern Highroads www.southernhighroads.org Get the feel of the Southern Appalachian Mountains on this four state, four-national forest scenic driving tour that loops through beautiful and historical mountain communities. Visitors will enjoy beautiful mountain scenery, lakes, rivers, national forests, antique shops, craft shops, recreational opportunities, plenty of place to spend the night and a wide variety of places to eat. The beauty, heritage and people of the region are a favorite of travelers every season of the year.
Toccoa River Canoe Trail 706-632-5680, 800-899-6867
www.blueridgemountains.com The Toccoa River Canoe Trail is perfect for beginners who are looking for a few rapids and some beautiful scenery along the way. The trail is also popular with float fishermen looking for cold-water mountain trout. The put in is located at the Toccoa Ranger District's Deep Hole Recreation Area, a U.S. Forest Service campground of highway GA 60 south of Blue Ridge and north of Suches, GA. Launch and parking costs $2 per vehicle. The canoe trail begins on the north bank of the river, flowing west and north toward Blue Ridge. The entire float from Deep Hole to Sandy Bottoms is 13.8 miles.
Sections of the Toccoa River Canoe Trail include:
Deep Hole to Rock Creek Road Bridge: 1.5 miles with good fishing.
Rock Creek Road Bridge to Margret: 1.0 miles
Margret to Butt Bridge: 5.8 miles with rapids, campsites and a suspension bridge
Butt Bridge to Dial Bridge: 1.5 miles
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