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HIKE OR RIDE THE TRAILS

Hiking:

Two of the greatest outdoor adventures in the world begin in Fannin County. Both the Appalachian Trail and the Benton MacKaye Trails start at the top of Springer Mountain. There are over 300 miles of hiking trails in the area, including short trails suitable for beginning hikers and families.

  • Aska Trails’ 17-mile hiking and biking trail system ranges from 1 to 5.5 miles and is open all year. Suitable for all levels of hikers; challenging for mountain bikers.

  • The Appalachian Trail (AT) begins in Fannin County at the top of Springer Mountain off FS 42. Favorite hikes include the trail to the AT’s terminus on Springer Mountain, Three Forks and Long Creek Falls.

  • Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) is a footpath of nearly 300 miles through the Appalachian mountains of the southeastern United States. Favorite hikes in Fannin County are the hike to the Swinging Bridge on the Toccoa River and Falls Branch Falls.

  • Ocoee Whitewater Center Trails span 30 miles of paths for hiking and mountain biking at the Whitewater Center, located on Hwy. 64 in Tennessee.

  • Download self-guided car tours, biking trail and hiking trail maps at https://www.blueridgemountains.com/things-to-do/scenic-drives-tours/

 

There are also a number of waterfalls within a short drive and hike from Blue Ridge. See the self-guided waterfall map, which you can download on blueridgemountains.com

  • Falls Branch Falls: The closest waterfall to Blue Ridge is a double waterfall about 10 miles from the town at the edge of the Rich Mountain WPA.

  • Long Creek Falls: A favorite waterfall hike on the Appalachian Trail is from Three Forks to Long Creek Falls. Located off FS 58 in the Noontootla Creek area.

  • Amicalola Falls: The tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River is located about 22 miles from Ellijay on Hwy. 52.

  • Helton Creek Falls: It’s an easy hike to this double waterfall on Helton Creek, off US 19/129 about 11 miles from Blairsville.

  • Benton Falls: Located on the Benton Falls Trail in the Overhill country of southeastern Tennessee on the Ocoee Scenic Byway at Chilhowee Recreation Area.

 

Trail Rides

Don’t feel like hiking? Ride the trails instead!

  • APPALACHIAN TRAIL RIDES, 4130 Cutcane Rd.,

        Mineral Bluff, 706-374-0362, appalachiantrailrides.com

  • BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN TRAIL RIDES AT HELL’S HOLLOW,

            319 Hells Hollow Rd., Blue Ridge, 706-408-RIDE (7433), blueridgemountaintrailrides.com

  • COWGIRL UP STABLES, 336 Shadow Ln., Blue Ridge,

            706-258-2276, cowgirlupstables.com

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