The Russell Scenic Highway
A 40-mile mountain loop from Helen, with waterfalls, gap overlooks and the climb to Georgia's highest peak
The short answer
This is the drive that makes you pull over and just look. The Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway circles the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River, crossing mountain gaps and passing waterfall trailheads, with a side trip up Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest point at 4,784 feet. It's one of the easiest ways to see how close real mountain country sits to the Alpine streets of Helen.
The road itself is free. It runs through the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in White, Towns and Union counties, and the Forest Service suggests budgeting at least three hours of driving before you stop for anything.
The route, road by road
The loop is made of four roads. It works in either direction, so start wherever suits your day.
| Road | What it does |
|---|---|
| GA-17/75 north from Helen | Starts at Scorpion Hollow, northwest of town, and climbs through Unicoi Gap into Towns County. |
| GA-180 | Crosses the national forest; the GA-180 Spur (about 2.5 miles) climbs to Brasstown Bald. |
| GA-348 (Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway) | Runs through Union County and over Hogpen Gap, then drops back toward Helen. |
| GA-75 Alternate | The short connector that closes the loop near Helen. |
Stops worth the pull-off
You could drive the whole thing without getting out, but that would miss the point. Hogpen Gap and Unicoi Gap are where the Appalachian Trail crosses the road, so you can walk a few steps of it. Dukes Creek Falls and the Raven Cliff Falls trail are the two waterfall stops, and the Dukes Creek Falls Recreation Area is the easier of the two.
| Stop | What you get | Fees and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unicoi Gap (GA-17/75) | Appalachian Trail crossing at about 2,940 feet. Park and walk a stretch of the AT. | About 15 minutes from downtown Helen |
| Brasstown Bald | Georgia's highest point, 4,784 feet, with a visitor center and 360-degree views. The summit trail is 0.6 mile, paved and very steep. | $10 per adult 16+ (shuttle included); 15 and under free. Daily 10 AM to 5 PM. 706-896-2556 |
| Hogpen Gap (GA-348) | Appalachian Trail crossing at about 3,461 feet, with parking. | Free. About 25 minutes from downtown |
| Dukes Creek Falls | A 2.2-mile round-trip walk with views toward Mount Yonah and the falls. | $4 per vehicle per day; sunrise to sunset |
| Raven Cliffs trailhead | A 2.6-mile (each way) hike into the Raven Cliffs Wilderness; the creek crossing can run calf-deep. | $5 per vehicle per day; Senior, Access and Golden passes only |
| Tesnatee Gap | A gap at about 3,125 feet on GA-348. | A high gap of the byway; the elevation comes from the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club |
Fees and hours are per the Forest Service and FIND Outdoors; Brasstown Bald closes the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On fall-color weekends the Brasstown lot fills, so go early or on a weekday.
Brasstown Bald
The side trip is worth the extra time. A short spur off GA-180 climbs to the parking area, and from there a 0.6-mile paved trail goes to the summit. It's very steep, so a shuttle is included in the $10 adult fee (ages 15 and under are free). The last shuttle up leaves at 4:30 PM. You'll find the visitor center and the summit views on the FIND Outdoors page. See our Brasstown Bald guide for the full rundown.
Fall color
Leaf season is the busiest time on the byway, and it's easy to see why. Color starts on the highest peaks and the peak moves down about 1,000 feet a week, so the high gaps turn before Helen does. The Georgia Forestry Commission said on October 1 that northeast Georgia's peak should fall around the end of October to the first of November, though weather could shift it a week either way. Check its weekly Leaf Watch report before you pick a day, and read our fall color guide for timing by elevation.
Before you go
Gas up in Helen
Services are sparse on the loop, so fill the tank in Helen before you start.
Download your map
Cell service is patchy in the gaps and hollows. Save an offline map before you leave town.
Take it slow
The road is paved but narrow and curvy, with sharp turns and few guardrails. Motorcycles are common on weekends.
Pack layers
It's cooler up in the gaps than in town. Helen's October highs average 70 degrees, and the high gaps run noticeably colder.
Combine it with a morning at Unicoi State Park or a stop at Anna Ruby Falls. More roads to try: scenic drives near Helen, and where to park in Helen when you get back.
Byway questions
How long is the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway?
The Forest Service calls it a 40-mile loop (Georgia's transportation department counts 41). It follows GA-348, GA-180 and GA-17/75, and the Forest Service says to allow at least three hours of driving.
Does it cost anything to drive the byway?
No, the road itself is free. Stops along it charge their own fees: Brasstown Bald is $10 per adult 16 and up, Dukes Creek Falls is $4 per vehicle, and the Raven Cliffs trailhead is $5 per vehicle.
When is the best time to drive it?
Fall color is the big draw. The Georgia Forestry Commission's October 1 outlook put peak for northeast Georgia around the end of October to the first of November, give or take a week. Color starts on the highest peaks and moves down about 1,000 feet a week.
How far is the start from Helen?
The loop starts northwest of town on GA-17/75. Unicoi Gap is about 15 minutes from downtown Helen, and Brasstown Bald is about 40.
Can you get cell service on the byway?
Don't count on it. Coverage is patchy in the gaps and hollows, so download your map before you leave Helen.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
