Hiking the Georgia Appalachian Trail, Section by Section
Springer Mountain to Bly Gap, with the road crossings that make section hikes work
The short answer
Georgia's piece of the Appalachian Trail is short but steep, with back-to-back climbs and little level ground. It runs through the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest and is maintained by the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club (GATC). Five highway crossings split it into pieces you can hike in a day or two, and one of them, Unicoi Gap, is a short drive from Helen.
The five segments
Mileposts from the GATC trail guide, counted from Springer Mountain
| Segment | Miles | Character | Landmarks (milepost) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springer Mountain to Woody Gap | 20.5 | Rolling start, then steeper | Springer (mile 0.0, 3,782 ft) to Woody Gap (mile 20.5, 3,164 ft, GA-60). Shelters: Springer Mountain, Stover Creek, Hawk Mountain, Gooch Mountain. Three Forks at mile 4.3. |
| Woody Gap to Neel Gap | 11.1 | Big Cedar Mountain, then Blood Mountain | Big Cedar Mountain (mile 21.9, 3,582 ft), Jarrard Gap (26.3), Woods Hole Shelter (27.7), Blood Mountain (29.2, 4,442 ft). Ends at Neel Gap, mile 31.6, US 19/129. |
| Neel Gap to Unicoi Gap | 21.4 | Constant ups and downs | Tesnatee Gap (37.6, GA-348), Hogpen Gap (38.5, 3,461 ft), Low Gap Shelter (43.3), Chattahoochee Gap (48.3), Blue Mountain Shelter (50.7). Ends at Unicoi Gap, mile 53.0, 2,940 ft, GA-17/75. |
| Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap | 16.7 | Rocky Mountain and Tray Mountain | Indian Grave Gap (55.6), Tray Gap (57.4), Tray Mountain (58.2, 4,398 ft), Tray Mountain Shelter (58.7), Deep Gap Shelter (66.1). Ends at Dicks Creek Gap, mile 69.7, 2,654 ft, US 76. |
| Dicks Creek Gap to Bly Gap | 9.0 | Steady climb to the state line | Plumorchard Gap Shelter (74.2). Bly Gap (mile 78.7, 3,835 ft) is on the Georgia and North Carolina line. |
Total: about 78.7 miles. Most hikers reach Springer Mountain by the Approach Trail from Amicalola Falls State Park, but Forest Service Road 42 meets the AT about a mile north of the summit.
What each segment is like
Springer to Woody Gap
The easiest start on the trail, rolling through hardwoods and past Three Forks, where the Benton MacKaye Trail comes in. Long Creek Falls, a popular side trip, is near Three Forks.
Woody Gap to Neel Gap
Georgia's busiest stretch. You climb Big Cedar Mountain (the rock ledges are known as Preacher's Rock), drop to Jarrard Gap and then climb Blood Mountain, the highest point on the AT in Georgia. The bear-canister rule applies here from March 1 to June 1.
Neel Gap to Unicoi Gap
The longest segment at 21.4 miles, with lots of small climbs and drops. It crosses Tesnatee and Hogpen Gaps, both on GA-348. Hogpen Gap is about 25 minutes from Helen.
Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap
The hardest day on the Georgia AT for many section hikers: Rocky Mountain, a drop to Indian Grave Gap, then the climb to Tray Mountain at 4,398 feet. The Tray Mountain guide covers the summit.
Dicks Creek Gap to Bly Gap
Quieter and farther from roads. It passes Plumorchard Gap Shelter and climbs to Bly Gap at 3,835 feet, where the trail crosses into North Carolina. Plan the pickup ahead of time, because there's no road at the gap.
Resupply at Neel Gap
Where the trail walks through a breezeway
At Neel Gap the AT passes through the breezeway of the Walasi-Yi stone building, home to Mountain Crossings. It sells gear, food for resupply and gifts, and it has lodging. The website lists it open 9 AM to 5 PM daily; call 706-745-6095 for current hours and conditions.
Day hikes from Unicoi Gap
The nearest AT access to Helen, about 15 miles and 15 minutes away
| Hike | Distance | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tray Mountain from Unicoi Gap | About 10.4 miles round trip | Unicoi Gap (2,940 ft) to the summit (4,398 ft) is 5.2 miles each way. You cross Rocky Mountain and Indian Grave Gap on the way, so the real climbing is more than the net 1,450 feet. |
| Tray Mountain from Tray Gap | About 1.6 miles round trip | Tray Gap is at mile 57.4, 0.8 mile before the summit. Forest Service gravel roads lead toward the gap; ask the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest about road conditions before you drive them. |
| Blue Mountain Shelter from Unicoi Gap | About 4.6 miles round trip | The shelter is at mile 50.7, 2.3 miles south of Unicoi Gap, at 3,889 ft. Going on to Chattahoochee Gap (mile 48.3) makes it about 9.4 miles round trip. |
Before you go
Check the alerts
The GATC keeps an alerts page with closures and Hurricane Helene advisories. Read it the morning you go.
Bear canisters
Hard-sided containers are required for overnight camping from Jarrard Gap to Neel Gap, March 1 to June 1. See the GATC's food storage page.
Related: driving and hiking the Georgia AT, Woody Gap to Neel Gap and fall color around Helen.
Georgia AT questions
How long is the Appalachian Trail in Georgia?
About 78.7 miles, from Springer Mountain to Bly Gap on the North Carolina line, according to the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club's mileposts.
Which AT trailhead is closest to Helen?
Unicoi Gap on GA-17/75, about 15 miles and 15 minutes by road from downtown Helen. Hogpen Gap on GA-348 is another close crossing.
Do I need a bear canister?
Between March 1 and June 1, the Forest Service requires hard-sided food containers for overnight camping from Jarrard Gap to Neel Gap. Outside that corridor and those dates, food must be securely stored if you camp within 1,000 feet of the trail.
Is the AT in Georgia easy?
No. It's often steep and has little flat ground, even though the elevations (mostly 2,500 to 4,500 feet) sound modest.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
