Tray Mountain Wilderness

The Tray Mountain Wilderness is 9,702 acres of steep, quiet country in the Chattahoochee National Forest, designated in 1986. It spans Habersham, Rabun, Towns and White counties, and the Appalachian Trail runs through it for about 16.5 unusually level miles along a ridge. The high point is Tray Mountain at 4,430 feet.

It's wild enough that you'll find few people on weekdays, and close enough to Helen to do as a long day. The Soque River starts here.

Size and designation are from published wilderness listings. Check the Forest Service before a backcountry trip.

The classic is the summit of Tray Mountain, with routes from Tray Gap (the short, steep one), Indian Grave Gap and Unicoi Gap; our Tray Mountain guide lays out all three. Longer trips follow the Appalachian Trail along the ridge, where shelters and campsites make overnights straightforward. The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club maintains the trail and shelters.

Distances are from hiking listings; confirm locally.

Tray Mountain isn't one trailhead; it's a ridge you can reach from several gaps. Pick based on how much climbing you want. The elevation figures below are from the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, and the hike distances match the table above.

Unicoi Gap is the closest paved starting point to Helen, and the Appalachian Trail also crosses at Hogpen Gap on the scenic highway. Check the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club for trail conditions.

Camping in the wilderness is dispersed and low-impact. The Forest Service generally limits stays to 14 days in any 30-day period, and Leave No Trace rules apply: camp away from trails and water, pack out everything and store food from bears. Fire rules change with the season, so call the Forest Service before you go. See our bear safety guide for food storage.

A hiking day at this elevation is cooler and windier than a day in town. The Forest Service says color begins on the highest peaks and moves down about 1,000 feet a week, so a 4,430-foot summit is among the first places to turn. In 2025, peak color above 3,000 feet began October 22, and low-elevation oaks peaked around November 6, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission. For 2026 the commission's October 1 report expected northeast Georgia to peak from the end of October to the first of November. See the Helen area fall color guide and the weekly Leaf Watch reports.

Late spring brings laurel and rhododendron, and October brings leaf color; both are busy weekends. Winter means ice, short days and sometimes closed gravel roads. Check the weather before heading up because the ridges are exposed. See Helen weather by month for what to pack.