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Hiking Trails in the Georgia Mountains

There are many hiking opportunities in the mountains of northern Georgia. The most well known series of trails is the Appalachian Trail, which begins on Springer Mountain in Georgia and follows the east ridge of the Appalachian Mountains all the way to Maine. There are many other trails as well, some connecting to the AT and some totally separate.

The scenery is often gorgeous, especially in early June when the rhododendrons, mountain laurel, and wild azaleas are blooming. The forests are mostly hardwood of hickory, oak and poplar, shielding thickets of blueberry and huckleberry, and small glades of bloodroot and trillium.

The quiet, observant hiker can often spot specimens of the mountain wildlife. Deer are frequent, as well as rabbits, possums, chipmunks, raccoons, and wild turkeys. Black bears can occasionally be seen, as well as foxes. Sometimes bobcats can be heard at night. Beavers and otters are found along the rivers, as well as many water fowl and birds of prey, including eagles.

The hiker who is interested in history as well as nature will also be pleased. The Civil War battles of Chickamauga and Kennesaw Mountain both took place in the mountains of northern Georgia, and the National Park Service maintains hiking trails at both battle sites. You can follow in the footsteps of Bragg and Rosecrans, Longstreet and Thomas, and Johnston and Sherman, all the while immersing yourself in the beautiful nature and clean air of the mountains.