Description

If you're looking to visit the North Georgia Blue Ridge, this is a perfect 1-2 hour hike and great for the entire family.

According to atlantatrails.com, this loop is one of the top hikes near Ellijay and has a little to offer for everyone.

You'll enjoy solitude along the Benton MacKaye Trail plus views from the top of Springer Mountain.

This hike also makes a great day trip from Atlanta and can easily be paired with a trip to Amicalola Falls. As the southern terminus of the iconic 2,200-mile long Appalachian Trail, Springer Mountain will see a massive influx of thru-hikers beginning their northbound (NOBO) trek in the early spring.

While perfect for a day trip, consider another spot for an overnight backpacking trip due to limited campsites this time of year.

The Cohutta Mountains west of Ellijay or Fort Mountain State Park both offer excellent alternatives for a multi-day trek in the spring. This loop starts at a trailhead high in the mountains along an unpaved road.

2-wheel drive vehicles can navigate the road with ease, but a vehicle with moderate clearance comes highly recommended. This loop can be hiked in either direction, and you'll be welcomed with some of the best views in the fall and winter months.

Per atlantatrails.com, " It’s a gorgeous hike in any season, but one of our favorite Georgia hikes in winter, when the overlook vistas open to broad and frosty mountaintop views." Leaf season in the fall also offers astonishingly lush vistas, and a quick online search will yield the latest fall foliage forecast. Sources: https://www.atlantatrails.com/tag/top-hiking-trails-near-ellijay/