Best Hikes in Georgia

Georgia hiking divides into two distinct worlds: the dramatic Blue Ridge Mountains in the north and the coastal plain trails (flatwoods, swamps, barrier islands) in the south. The northern mountains offer the best hiking in the Southeast.

Appalachian Trail — Georgia Section (76 miles)
The AT enters Georgia from the north at the North Carolina border and terminates at Springer Mountain. The 76-mile Georgia section is one of the most rugged — steep ascents, rocky ridgelines, and dense hardwood forest. Key stops include Blood Mountain, Neels Gap (the only place the AT passes through a building — the Mountain Crossings outfitter store), and Springer Mountain terminus.

Tallulah Gorge State Park
A 2-mile-long, 1,000-foot-deep gorge carved by the Tallulah River — one of the most spectacular gorges in the eastern US. The Gorge Floor trail requires a permit (only 100 issued per day); the rim trails are open without permits. The suspension bridge across the gorge offers a vertigo-inducing view of the river 80 feet below.

Cloudland Canyon State Park
Two waterfalls (Cherokee and Hemlock), deep canyon trails, and backcountry camping in the Cumberland Plateau section of northwest Georgia. The Sittons Gulch Trail descends 1,000 feet into the canyon floor. Cloudland is one of Georgia's most dramatic parks — impressive on a scale more typical of Tennessee or West Virginia.

Amicalola Falls Trail
The 8.5-mile approach trail from Amicalola Falls State Park to Springer Mountain passes the 729-foot Amicalola Falls — the tallest cascading waterfall in the eastern US. The trail is the traditional warm-up for Appalachian Trail thru-hikers before the AT officially begins at Springer.

Conasauga River Trail (Cohutta Wilderness)
The Cohutta Wilderness in north Georgia is the largest designated wilderness area east of the Mississippi River. The Conasauga River Trail covers 14 miles of river walking, stream crossings, and remote forest. The isolation and difficulty make it rewarding for experienced hikers.