Hiking

The Cohutta and Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia include among the best trails on the East Coast for hiking. There are many different experiences you can have on the vast array of hiking trails in Georgia. For example, in the pages to follow you will find hikes that take you deep into the wilderness of the Cohutta national forest. The Cohutta National Forest, gently touched by man, will show you iconic and famous marvels of mother nature.

For the benefit of safety, we have included a guide for difficulty ratings on the trails. For those of us who come to the mountains for a short time: Stick to the beginner and intermediate trails. However, if you are looking for a challenge you should consider the more technical trails.

In these hills, you get out what you put in, as beauty abounds everywhere in North Georgia.

Hiking (Blueridge Mountains)

The beautiful thing about being in Georgia, especially the North Georgia mountains, is the hiking.

With many different trails in Georgia, it can be hard to choose. There are various trails, mountains, and towns to see in Georgia. Narrowing down the best hiking trails in Georgia can be a challenge due to the numerous options. Whether you are looking for a trail gently touched by man or some of the iconic and popular trails, this guide has it all.

All of the selected hikes are GPS ready. You can plug in the name of the trail to your GPS and it will take you right to it.

1. Amicalola Falls

Difficulty level: Intermediate: 2.5-mile loop: 20 miles from downtown Ellijay

Amicalola Falls boasts a nearly 830-acre spread and is breathtakingly beautiful. To enter the park, you will need $5. This is a great bargain for what you are about to see and feel.

Once you enter the park, go along the main road for about a half mile. Reach the welcome center, where you can park your car and prepare to enjoy everything Amicolola has to offer. Once you have parked your vehicle, walk through the welcome center. In the back of the welcome center, you will find the head of the trail for Amicalola Falls.

It’s a mildly challenging incline for about 2 miles up to the top of the falls. At the top, you will find mesmerizing scenic views of the Appalachian mountains in North Georgia. The falls themselves are a sight to behold, with immense beauty and power. Sitting atop the falls you can look nearly straight down to the reflecting pool below.

At the top of the falls, there is an awesome little park or rest area. It’s perfect for a picnic to regroup and energize before the quad-burning descent down the stairs of the falls. As you descend the stairs, take time to stop on the landings. Enjoy photo opportunities and breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

2. Brawley Mountain Fire tower

Difficulty level: Intermediate: 6 Mile loop: 32 miles from downtown Ellijay

Many moons ago, towers lined Georgia’s tallest peaks, serving as fire lookout points. Forest Service workers kept a vigilant watch over the hills from these towers, in case of a wildfire. Fire towers are no longer needed in today’s world, where satellite imagery, GPS, and other high-end technology are widely available. On Brawley Mountain, you can still hike to the tower.

The hike up toward the tower will take you through a rich cove forest. During the spring bloom, local wildflowers cover this forest. Once you reach the top of Brawley Mountain you will have views of the surrounding mountains. It is a perfect place to grab a quick snack or refreshment before your descent back down.

3. Deadennen Mountain

Difficulty level: Intermediate: 3.4 miles out and back: 28 miles from downtown Ellijay

Deadennen mountain trail is conveniently off the same trail as Brawley Mountain. Just go due East on the Benton MacKaye trail instead of West. This trail hosts incredible views in the fall with the leaves changing. In winter when the leaves are gone the surrounding countryside is beautiful.

If you choose to hike during late spring and summer, you can spot an exotic wildflower called a Lady’s Slipper. Fun fact: This flower prefers acidic soil. Look for it at the base or around the base of white pines, where acidic soil forms from the pine needles along the trail.

4. Wallalah Mountain

Difficulty level Intermediate: 3.4 miles out and back: 34 miles from downtown Ellijay.

The Wallalah Mountain trail is ideal for hiking when you want to enjoy beautiful scenery and mountainside views. You don’t have to drive all over the countryside or go through rigorous climbs to reach the views on this trail. The drive up to the trail on Georgia 60 is a beautiful, curvy, scenic route. The hike itself is steep enough to get your blood flowing and heart pumping, but it doesn’t leave you feeling gassed by the end.

When you reach the 1.5-mile mark, keep an eye out for a rock outcrop. At this location, you will find a fantastic open view revealing mountainsides. The mountains’ shadows conceal the peaceful farmland in the Cooper Creek valley.

5. Long Creek Falls

 Difficulty level intermediate: 4.6 miles out and back: 26 miles from downtown Ellijay.

There are not many places in the hills of North Georgia where you can take a break. You can sit and eat lunch next to a big waterfall at Long Creek Falls though. The falls are just north of Three Forks. Their view is pretty much unbeatable, as many Appalachian trail hikers know.

The hike starts at Three Forks. The first mile of the trail follows the Creek itself. The good news is you will encounter two more waterfalls along the way to Long Creek Falls. After you get to the falls, stop and take it all in. It’s mesmerizing when you hear the sound of the water crashing through the surrounding rhododendron.

Don’t forget to continue on the Benton MacKaye trail, where there is an exciting climb up to your final destination. The reward is a meadow view high atop the falls. Looking back at Springer Mountain from the meadow is also an exceptional reward for all your hard work.

6. Springer Mountain Loop

Difficulty level Intermediate-Advanced : 5.1-mile loop: 25 miles from downtown Ellijay.

Appalachian Trail hikers know well that there are two mountains more important than others. Those mountains are Mt. Katahdin, located near the end of the trail in Maine. Springer Mountain, which is near the beginning of the trail here in Georgia, is also one of those mountains. Springer Mountain, like most incredibly beautiful places in nature, isn’t drivable (you are going to have to use your feet). The reward is certainly worth the work.

To begin this hike, you will start on the Benton MacKaye Trail. On your way up to Springer Mountain, you’ll cross over the top of Ball Mountain with its breathtaking clifftop views. After crossing Ball Mountain, you come to the Appalachian Trail. Then you begin the climb to reach the very top.

Once you reach the top, you will find a rock outcrop. The rock outcrop has several plaques worth reading to learn more about the history of the location. Also, there is a hiker’s log in the sleeping shelter worth a peek!

Hiking (Cohutta Mountains)

1. Emery Creek

Difficulty Level Intermediate: 6.8 Miles out and back: 15 miles from downtown Ellijay

Emery Creek will test you a little bit. If you don’t like having wet feet, this hike may not be suitable for you. Getting up to the falls at Emery Creek requires you to cross the stream eight times. Getting back down again requires eight more crossings.

We recommend wearing shoes that you’re ok with damaging. Or, bring the proper hiking boots for the occasion. It’s certainly worth the travel as you will pass a total of five beautiful waterfalls along the way!

2. Fowler Mountain

Difficulty level advanced: 12.2 miles out and back: 10 miles from downtown Ellijay.

For this hike, ensure you have plenty of water and energy!

Those who are faint of heart should not underestimate Fowler Mountain. This hike will take your body through an all-day gauntlet. You will encounter long and strenuous, steep pitched climbs. The rewards: some of the best views Georgia has to offer.

The awesome thing about this hike is reaching a lonesome peak located along the Tennessee divide. This peak connects the Cohuttas and Blue Ridge Mountains. The views are particularly stunning during fall and winter, when trees are bare.

3. Grassy Mountain Tower

Difficulty level intermediate: out and back: 22 miles from downtown Ellijay.

The lookout towers scattered through the mountains of North Georgia are few and far between these days. With that said, as a hiker, anytime you get a chance to visit one, DO IT! The Grassy Mountain Tower has a cool feature: you can climb up to the first landing once you reach the top. That is where the views will open up, and you will have a 360-degree jaw-dropping panorama.

Take note, the hidden treasure on this hike is the Songbird Trail. The Songbird Trail outlines a small beaver pond. At that small beaver pond is an array of local bird species.

4. Jacks River Falls

Difficulty level intermediate: 9 miles out and back: 53 miles from downtown Ellijay.

The Jacks River Falls are an absolute showstopper and possibly the best-known site in the Cohutta wilderness. Whether you’re a local Georgian or just visiting, it’s a must-see. The drive to get there is more than worth it.

This hike begins in Tennessee, despite the fact that the Jacks River Falls are in Georgia. The falls themselves are incredibly beautiful, enormous, and remote, which is probably why it gets so many visitors. If the roar of the falls gets louder with each step, you’re getting closer. You will know you’re in the right place when you reach the falls and hear their roar at its loudest.