The Appalachian Trail in Georgia

The trail itself is a long way from anywhere, but the road crossings are close. Here are the three that make sense for a day trip from Helen.

Drive times are estimates without traffic. Elevations from the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club; the club maintains the trail through Georgia.

The road between Helen and Hogpen Gap is part of the Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway, so the drive is half the fun. Pull off, walk a mile or two on the white-blazed trail in either direction, and you're among high-elevation hardwoods without committing to a summit. In October this is the quickest way to reach the early color; see our fall color guide for timing.

At Neel Gap the white blazes lead straight through the stone breezeway of the old Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center, which is the only place on the whole trail where it passes through a man-made structure. The Civilian Conservation Corps rebuilt the stone building in the 1930s, and it houses Mountain Crossings, an outfitter and hostel run by former thru-hikers. The store is open daily 9 AM to 5 PM.

Look for the tree outside strung with hiking boots, a tradition among hikers who finish or quit their hike here. You can browse the shop, watch northbound hikers repack in spring, and get current trail conditions without lacing up. Our Neel Gap page has more.

Blood Mountain reaches about 4,450 feet and is the highest peak on the Georgia stretch of the trail. The usual route from Neel Gap is a short but steep climb of roughly 2 miles each way with about 1,800 feet of gain, ending at bare rock ledges and a two-room stone shelter the CCC built in 1934. On a clear day you can look south toward the Atlanta skyline. Locals tell two stories about the name: a battle between Cherokee and Creek peoples, or the red tint of local lichen and rhododendron. Nobody has settled it. Our Blood Mountain guide covers the hike in detail.

Give yourself three to four hours round trip, bring water and a rain layer, and start early. If you plan to sleep out on this part of the trail, check the Forest Service and Georgia Appalachian Trail Club pages for current food-storage rules before you go.

The southern end of the trail moved to Springer Mountain (about 3,780 feet) in 1958, replacing Mount Oglethorpe. A bronze plaque marks the spot. The traditional way to get there on foot is the roughly 8.5-mile Approach Trail from the visitor center at Amicalola Falls State Park; the mountain can also be reached from a Forest Service road. It's a long day trip from Helen, so most people pair it with the falls and skip the full climb.

The Len Foote Hike Inn is a state-owned backcountry lodge reached only on foot, by a five-mile trail from Amicalola Falls. It's a good overnight if you want a bed and a meal at the end of a hike, but book through the Hike Inn before you plan around it.