Blood Mountain
Georgia's highest peak on the Appalachian Trail, with a stone shelter near the top, about 35 minutes from Helen
The short answer
Why it's worth the climb
Most of the Georgia AT stays under trees. Blood Mountain breaks out of them. The summit is rocky and open, and on a clear day you look across ridge after ridge of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest and the Blood Mountain Wilderness. The Appalachian Trail goes right over it, so you'll share the top with day hikers and thru-hikers.
Routes and distances
Check current mileage before you go; sources differ by a few tenths
| Route | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| From Neel Gap (Walasi-Yi) | About 2.4 miles each way on the AT | GATC mileposts: Neel Gap 31.6, summit 29.2. The classic approach. Wikipedia describes it as steep, with about 1,800 feet of climbing. |
| From the Byron Herbert Reece Memorial Trailhead | Roughly 4 to 5 miles round trip | Trailhead on US 19/129 just north of Neel Gap. A blue-blazed connector joins the AT. Check the Forest Service or GATC for the current mileage before you go. |
| From Lake Winfield Scott | Longer, via the Slaughter Creek Trail | A gentler approach with campsites and water, per Wikipedia. Allow a full day. |
Expect a rocky, steep final stretch where you use your hands in spots, and slick rock after rain. This is a hike for people with some mountain experience. Wilderness areas have few signs, so carry a map or a downloaded one from the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club.
The stone shelter
Near the top sits a two-room stone shelter with a fireplace, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013, according to Wikipedia. It's first-come, first-served and there's no water at the shelter, so carry what you need. If you plan to sleep out, the Forest Service requires hard-sided food containers between Jarrard Gap and Neel Gap from March 1 to June 1; the club's food storage page explains the rule.
How it got its name
Two stories
Nobody knows for sure. One story says the name comes from a battle between the Cherokee and the Muscogee (Creek); the other points to the reddish color of lichen and Catawba rhododendron near the summit. Cherokee stories also tell of the Nunnehi, immortal spirit people who helped lost travelers. Treat all of it as legend rather than documented history.
Plan your trip
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Summit elevation | 4,442 ft by the GATC trail guide (other sources print 4,452) |
| Drive from Helen | About 26 miles and 35 to 40 minutes to the Byron Herbert Reece Memorial Trailhead on US 19/129 |
| Fee | No trailhead fee is posted; call the Blue Ridge Ranger District if you want to be sure |
| Restrooms and water | None at the trailhead or on the summit. Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap is nearby |
| Bear canisters | Required March 1 to June 1 for overnight camping from Jarrard Gap to Neel Gap |
| Ranger district | Blue Ridge Ranger District, 706-745-6928, Monday to Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Mountain Crossings | 9 AM to 5 PM daily per its website; 706-745-6095 |
When to go and what to bring
Go early
Parking near Neel Gap fills on fall and spring weekends, and storms build over the ridge in the afternoon. Start in the morning.
Pick your season
Color on the high ridges usually peaks around the end of October. See fall color around Helen. Winter brings ice on the rocks.
Carry water
There's none at the trailhead or on top. Bring more than you think you need, plus a headlamp, rain layer and trekking poles for the descent.
Tell someone
Cell coverage is patchy in the wilderness. Leave your route and return time with someone.
Nearby stops
Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap is the obvious post-hike stop for snacks, gear and the story of the AT's walk through a building. DeSoto Falls is a short drive north on US 129; day use is $5 per vehicle, paid by scanning a QR code on site. Vogel State Park has cabins and campsites, though the lake is drained for dam repairs and the lake loop and waterfall are closed right now. Back in Helen, Anna Ruby Falls ($6, ages 16 and up) makes a gentle recovery day.
Blood Mountain questions
How tall is Blood Mountain?
About 4,450 feet. The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club lists the summit at 4,442 feet, and other sources print slightly higher figures. It's the highest point on the AT in Georgia.
How long does the hike take?
Most people spend 2 to 4 hours round trip from the Neel Gap area, depending on pace and how long they linger at the top.
How far is Blood Mountain from Helen?
About 26 miles and 35 to 40 minutes by car to the Byron Herbert Reece Memorial Trailhead.
Is there a shelter on top?
Yes. A two-room stone shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s sits near the summit. It's first-come, first-served, with no water source at the shelter.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
