Tray Mountain Guide
A rocky summit on the Appalachian Trail with views across the Georgia Blue Ridge
The short answer
Tray Mountain is the Georgia summit hike with big views and room to breathe. At 4,430 feet it's the seventh-highest peak in the state, and the Appalachian Trail runs right over the top. On a clear day the rocky summit gives you the Nantahala Mountains in North Carolina and wave after wave of the Georgia Blue Ridge. It's about an hour from Helen, with the last stretch on slow gravel road if you start at Tray Gap.
The mountain sits in the Tray Mountain Wilderness of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The summit is in Towns County, and the White-Towns county line crosses the mountain.
Three ways up
| Route | Distance | Access and parking |
|---|---|---|
| Tray Gap (shortest) | About 1.6 miles round trip; steep, roughly 600 feet of climbing | Forest Service Road 79 (Tray Mountain Road), a narrow gravel road. Small lot; can be rough after rain or in winter. |
| Indian Grave Gap | About 5 miles round trip, per hiking listings | Forest roads; gravel lot that fills on fall weekends |
| Unicoi Gap via Rocky Mountain | About 10 miles round trip, strenuous | Paved GA-75/17 at Unicoi Gap (2,940 ft); more climbing, two summits |
Distances are from hiking listings and trail descriptions, not an official Forest Service table. Confirm the condition of Forest Service Road 79 before you drive it. No fees are known for these trailheads; check the Forest Service.
On the trail
This stretch of the Appalachian Trail is famous for its look: moss-lined path, old stone steps and arches of twisted laurel and rhododendron. From Tray Gap the climb is short and steep, with switchbacks and boulders near the top, and then the trees fall away at the rocky summit. The AT follows a remarkably level ridge through much of the wilderness (about 16.5 miles), but Tray itself is a real climb.
The Tray Mountain Shelter is on the AT near the mountain, maintained by the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, if you're planning an overnight.
When to go
Late spring has mountain laurel and rhododendron along the ridge, and October brings the leaf color. Plan for weekdays and early starts in fall; the lots fill by mid-morning. Summer afternoons bring thunderstorms, which are dangerous on an exposed summit, so be off the top early. For peak-color timing, see our fall color guide.
Tips for a safe hike
Carry water
Springs near campsites are unreliable. Bring 2-3 liters per person.
Start early
Aim for an 8 AM start, especially from Unicoi Gap, so you have daylight and a parking spot.
Check the road
Forest Service Road 79 is narrow gravel. Drive slowly and check conditions before you go.
Tell someone your plan
Cell service is spotty. Leave your route and return time with someone.
Nearby: Anna Ruby Falls ($6 for ages 16 and up; ParkPass not accepted) and Unicoi State Park ($10 ParkPass) are good stops on the way back. Brasstown Bald is the state's highest point at 4,784 feet. See also the Appalachian Trail in north Georgia.
Tray Mountain questions
How high is Tray Mountain?
4,430 feet, the seventh-highest peak in Georgia.
What is the easiest way to hike Tray Mountain?
From Tray Gap, about 1.6 miles round trip and steep. The road to Tray Gap is narrow gravel.
Does the Appalachian Trail go over Tray Mountain?
Yes, the AT crosses the summit, and about 16.5 miles of it runs through the Tray Mountain Wilderness.
Is there a fee?
No fee is known for these trailheads, but check the Forest Service for current rules.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
