Our guide to Hiawassee, GA. Restaurants, events, places to stay and things to do.

Welcome to the top of Georgia: Brasstown Bald

Brasstown Bald is 4,784 feet above sea level and is the highest point in North Georgia. Those who have visited have marveled at the unsurpassed views! Now you can view Brasstown Bald's Scenic vista in a whole new light - or dark? Coming in September & October, Astronomer, Alex Langoussis will guide you through the night atop Brasstown Bald's 360 degree veiew observation deck, where visitors will engage with wonders of the universe through galactic stories, expertise, and the use of a professional telescope. You could spend the evening being a "Gaurdian of the Galaxy" in learning about the magic of deep space and northern Georgia's incredible nightscape! Pre-registration is required for Friday night star gazing and there is a cost of $20.00 for 13 & up or $10.00 for ages 6-12. Events are subject to weather conditions, no pets, and people are encouraged to bring a flashlight and extra layer of clothers due to the cooler tempatures at night from higher elevation During the day there are several trails that lead up to Brasstown Bald, including Wagon Train Trail, Jack’s Knob Trail, where there is an access path to the Appalachian Trail. Arkaquah Trail follows high ridges to the Track Rock Archaeological area and Brasstown Bald Trail climbs 500 ft. in a half mile. Visitors can travel to Brasstown by car from State Rd. Hwy. 180 that can be accessed either coming from Helen or Hiawassee on 17/75 or by Blairsville on Hwy. 129. Once to the parking facility there is a steep, paved trail to the Visitor Information Center at the summit. Although difficult, this is an excellent hike for most people. Frequent stopping places along the path make it achievable for even the most out-of-shape hikers. A shuttle in the visitor parking provides access to the summit in addition to a picnic area for the public. The Visitors Center provides an unencumbered 360 view of the surrounding mountains and four states of North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina. A museum and exhibit entitled “Man and the Mountain" shows rural mountain life, forestry in North Georgia and the diversifed wildlife in the area. For more info contact: Blairsville Ranger Office: 706-745-6928 or Brasstown Bald Visitors Information Center: 706-896-2556

Welcome to the top of Georgia: Brasstown Bald2023-10-27T13:30:13-04:00

North Georgia Hiking Trails

Many visitors come to explore the hundreds of trails through North Georgia’s National Forest.  Whether you want to see a waterfall, like to go hiking, biking, or horseback riding, here are some suggestions for a trail adventure: Ellijay - Three Forks Trail: To the left (North) on the trail is Long Creek Falls (2.3 miles round trip) . To the right is a beautiful section of old growth forest along Stover Creek. Directions: Take 52 East from Ellijay about 4.8 miles. Turn left on Big Creek Road at the Dollar General. Follow this road about 15.4 miles (the final .4 miles are dirt) to Forest Service 58 and turn Right. This road follows Noontootla Creek to Three Forks. Parking is available where the trails cross the road. Blue Ridge - Free Knob Loop Trail: 2.5 miles, easy rating Directions from Blue Ridge, Georgia: Travel east (toward Blairsville, GA) on GA Hwy 515, approx. 0.8 miles past intersection with GA Hwy 5. Turn Right at Windy Ridge Rd., go 0.2 miles to dead end with Old U.S. 76. Turn left, go 0.2 miles to Aska Road on right. Continue south on Aska Read to Shallowford Bridge. Turn left across river and immediate right on dirt-gravel road leading to Dial, GA. At 0.4 miles come to point where trail enters road from forest. Continue east on road to parking area at 1.2 miles. Suches - Jarrard Gap Trail Trail: 1.0 mile, easy/moderate rating Directions: Take US 19 and 129 south from Blairsville Georgia for 9.5 miles. Turn right (west) onto GA 180 and go 7 miles to the main entrance to Lake Winfield Scott Campground. Turn left into the campground. Follow this road over a hill and continue straight ahead into a gravel parking lot at the foot of the hill. From the parking lot, hike along the paved road passing the guard rail at the head of the lake. The trailhead is on the right of the road just past the guard rails. Blairsville - Sosebee Cover Trail Trail: Traveling through a second-growth cove hardwood forest, the 0.25 mile Sosebee Cove Trail is rated easy and receives moderate use. This area is a memorial to Arthur Woody, who served as the first Forest Service Ranger in Georgia. Directions: from Blairsville Georgia, travel 9.5 miles south along US 19/129 and turn right (west) onto GA 180. Continue along GA 180 for 2 miles to the Sosebee Cove parking lot on the right. Hiawassee - High Shoals Creek Trail: The two waterfalls on High Shoals Creek are the highlight of this 170 acre site. A 1.2 mile trail takes visitors from FS 283 down to the falls. Directions: Take 75 South from Hiawassee turn right onto Indian Grave Gap Road, graveled Forest Service Road 283 which leads visitors through the Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area to the High Shoals Creek Falls Scenic Area. Dahlonega - Yahoola Creek Trail: This is about a 4 mile trail that circles Yahoola Creek Reservoir but also swerves [...]

North Georgia Hiking Trails2023-10-27T13:30:13-04:00
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