The Appalachian Trail in North Georgia
Where the trail begins, with day hikes and shelters within reach of Helen
The short answer
The trail near Helen
The Appalachian Trail (AT) runs more than 2,100 miles from Georgia to Maine, and Georgia gets the first 78.7 of them. They cross the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, and the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club (GATC) maintains the trail and its side paths. From Helen, you can be on the AT in about 15 minutes. For a segment-by-segment breakdown, see our section-hiking guide.
The idea goes back to 1921, when Benton MacKaye proposed a long trail down the Appalachians. The full route was finished in 1937. Georgia's start point moved in 1958: the southern end was first planned at Mount Oglethorpe and shifted to Springer Mountain, according to the trail's history.
Springer Mountain, the southern terminus
Springer is 3,782 feet, mile 0.0 on the GATC's trail guide, with a register at the summit. You can reach it two ways: a short walk from the parking on Forest Service Road 42 (about a mile), or the Approach Trail from Amicalola Falls State Park, roughly 8.5 miles by the lodge's figure. The Springer Mountain Shelter is 0.2 mile up the trail at about 3,700 feet. More in our Springer Mountain guide.
Day hikes
Distances worked out from GATC mileposts
| Hike | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Springer Mountain | About 2 miles round trip | The summit (3,782 ft) is about a mile from the parking on Forest Service Road 42. Plaque and register at the top. |
| Preacher's Rock on Big Cedar Mountain | About 2.8 miles round trip | From Woody Gap (mile 20.5, GA-60) to Big Cedar Mountain (mile 21.9, 3,582 ft). Rock ledges with views. |
| Blood Mountain | Roughly 4 to 5 miles round trip | Georgia's highest AT summit, 4,442 ft. Steep and rocky. See the Blood Mountain guide for trailheads. |
| Blue Mountain Shelter | About 4.6 miles round trip | From Unicoi Gap (GA-17/75), the closest AT access to Helen. |
| Tray Mountain | About 10.4 miles round trip from Unicoi Gap | Summit 4,398 ft. Strenuous. Shorter from Tray Gap (about 1.6 miles round trip). |
Details for the two biggest climbs: Blood Mountain and the Tray Mountain guide.
Shelters along the Georgia AT
Mileposts and elevations from the GATC trail guide
| Shelter | Mile from Springer | Elevation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springer Mountain Shelter | 0.2 | 3,700 ft | Closest shelter to the southern terminus |
| Stover Creek Shelter | 2.8 | 2,928 ft | Near Three Forks |
| Hawk Mountain Shelter | 8.1 | 3,145 ft | Campsites at mile 7.4 |
| Gooch Mountain Shelter | 15.7 | 2,767 ft | Gooch Gap is at mile 16.9 |
| Woods Hole Shelter | 27.7 | 3,659 ft | Below Blood Mountain |
| Low Gap Shelter | 43.3 | 2,966 ft | North of Hogpen Gap |
| Blue Mountain Shelter | 50.7 | 3,889 ft | 2.3 miles south of Unicoi Gap |
| Tray Mountain Shelter | 58.7 | 4,216 ft | Just past the summit |
| Deep Gap Shelter | 66.1 | 3,554 ft | North of Addis Gap |
| Plumorchard Gap Shelter | 74.2 | 3,008 ft | Last shelter before Bly Gap |
From March 1 to June 1 the Forest Service requires hard-sided food containers for overnight camping between Jarrard Gap and Neel Gap. Everywhere else, store food securely if you camp within 1,000 feet of the trail. The club's food storage page has the details, and its alerts page lists current advisories, including Hurricane Helene updates.
How hard is it?
Harder than the numbers suggest. The summits top out between about 3,500 and 4,500 feet, but the trail climbs and drops constantly, and the footing is rocky and rooted. Give yourself fewer miles per day than you'd plan at home, and try a day hike first. The Blood Mountain and Tray Mountain climbs are the strenuous ones. Thunderstorms are common in the warm months, so start early and be off the ridge by afternoon.
Resupply and trail towns
Betty's Country Store, Helen
At 18 Yonah Street, open 7 AM to 9 PM daily. A deli, bakery, groceries and a big German beer selection. Phone 706-878-2943.
Mountain Crossings, Neel Gap
Gear, resupply and lodging where the AT walks through the building. Listed hours are 9 AM to 5 PM daily; call 706-745-6095.
Helen also has plenty of lodging and restaurants for a night off the trail; start with our lodging guide. Dahlonega and Hiawassee are the other towns hikers use for rest days.
When to go
Spring and fall are the best bets. Helen's April highs average 70°F and October's 70°F, with lows in the 40s, and ridgelines run cooler than town. July highs average 86°F, with afternoon storms. In winter, nights regularly drop below freezing. Peak leaf color for the high ridges usually arrives around the end of October; see fall color around Helen.
Pair it with Helen
After a day on the ridge, Unicoi State Park has a lake loop and a lodge restaurant, and Anna Ruby Falls is an easy, low-effort rest-day walk. Downtown Helen is a short drive from Unicoi Gap.
Appalachian Trail questions
Where does the Appalachian Trail start in Georgia?
At Springer Mountain, 3,782 feet, in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Most hikers reach it by the Approach Trail from Amicalola Falls State Park, or by a short walk from Forest Service Road 42.
How far is the AT from Helen?
Unicoi Gap on GA-17/75 is about 15 miles and 15 minutes from downtown Helen. Hogpen Gap on GA-348 is about 25 minutes away.
Where can I resupply near the AT?
Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap sells gear and food and has lodging. In Helen, Betty's Country Store at 18 Yonah Street is open 7 AM to 9 PM daily.
How many miles is the Georgia AT?
About 78.7 miles, from Springer Mountain to Bly Gap at the North Carolina line, by the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club's mileposts.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
