10 Amazing Mountains In Georgia

Georgia is more well-known for flat plains and humid heat than mountains, but Georgia does have a lot of mountains. The famous Appalachian Trail either starts or ends in Georgia, depending on which direction you’re hiking. And the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are part of the Appalachian Mountain chain, cross through Tennessee and end in Northern Georgia. There is some excellent hiking to be done in Georgia for intrepid hikers. Some of the mountains in Georgia are surprisingly tall and have rough enough terrain to challenge even experienced hikers.

If you’re going to be hiking in Georgia try to time the hikes for the fall and winter if you can. The hottest months to hike in Georgia are July and August and temperatures can be dangerously high during those months. The heat combined with the humidity that Georgia is famous for can make hiking uncomfortable in the summer unless you come prepared with plenty of water and weather appropriate clothing.

10 Best Mountains In Georgia To Visit

There are more than 10 mountains worth visiting in Georgia but these are the most popular mountain destinations in Georgia and the mountains with the best hiking.

Fort Mountain

Located in: Fort Mountain State Park

Height: 2,850 feet

Nearby City:  Ellijay

Known For: High up on the peak of Fort Mountain there is a small section of an ancient rock wall. Only one 855 foot piece of the wall is  standing and no one really knows what the wall was for or how far it extended. But it’s believed that one of the Native American tribes that originally settled the land now known as Georgia built the wall on the mountaintop. If you hike up Fort Mountain you can see what’s left of the wall along with some great views. The hiking on Fort Mountain is relatively easy for almost all hikers. The trails are smooth and there are not steep inclines. There’s even a trail that goes around a lovely mountain lake that is a perfect spot for a picnic. There’s also camping, horseback riding, biking, and more hiking in Fort Mountain State Park which surrounds the actual mountain.

Blood Mountain

Located in: Chattahoochee National Forest

Height: 4,458 feet

Nearby City:  Blairsville

Known For: Blood Mountain is one of the mountains in Georgia that’s part of the Appalachian Trail.  In fact, the summit of Blood Mountain is the highest point of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. It can be a challenging hike, so if you’re not a very experienced hiker it may not be a fun hike for you unless you want to challenge yourself.  The hike to the peak of Blood Mountain is only five miles, but it’s five almost of almost straight incline.

 There are plenty of camp sites at the summit of Blood Mountain and there’s an Appalachian Trail shelter cabin at the top of the mountain too. If the hike up Blood Mountain is too intense for your taste you can hike part way up from the base of the mountain and hook up with trail connectors to other trails that take you all around Blairsville.

Black Rock Mountain

Located in: Black Rock Mountain State Park

Height: 3,640 feet

Nearby City:  Mountain City

Known For: Black Rock Mountain is a popular tourist destination in Georgia. Because it’s visited by so many people every year it can get crowded, but it’s pretty accessible. It’s more accessible than many other mountains in Georgia. There is a paved road that goes almost the summit and RVs and other large vehicles can go up the summit road.

 There are more than 80 overlooks in Black Rock Mountain State Park, where the mountain is located. Tourists and hikers can stop at these overlooks to get some truly breathtaking views of forests and the green plains of Georgia. There are cabins and cottages for rent at the summit of the mountain for camping as well as a small museum, store, and picnic tables and other facilities.

The most popular time to visit Black Rock Mountain is during the hot Georgia summer. The high altitude of this mountain peak means that it’s nice and cool at the summit even in the searing heat of a Georgia summer.

Stone Mountain

Located in: Stone Mountain Park

Height: 1,686 feet

Nearby City:  Atlanta

Known For: Stone Mountain sits just outside the major metropolis of Atlanta, Georgia. This mountain is famous for a few different things. On reason it’s famous is because it’s the largest mountain of sheer rock in the U.S. Another reason why Stone Mountain is famous is because of the images of the leaders of Confederacy that have been carved into the face of it. But putting controversy aside this mountain is ancient and had special significance to the Native Americans who were the original settles in the area.

Stone Mountain sits in Stone Mountain State Park, which is a big tourist destination. There is camping inside and outside the park. At the summit of the mountain you can get on the Skyride, a cable car that will provide incredible views from the top of the mountain of the park and the Atlanta skyline in the distance. There is a very easy and smooth five mile loop hike around the base of Stone Mountain. From the base trail you can also pick up a one mile trail to the summit. The one mile hike is a bit of a challenge, but there are also vehicle access roads that go to the summit if you would prefer to drive to the top.

Brasstown Bald Mountain

Located in: Chattahoochee National Forest

Height: 4, 784 feet

Nearby City:  Blairsville

Known For: Brasstown Bald is the tallest peak in Georgia. It’s a very popular spot in the fall because it’s the best spot in the state for leaf peeping. You can drive most of the way up the mountain if you want to. From the parking lot it’s just a half-mile walk to the visitor’s center at the summit, but be warned: it’s rigourous! One of the unique things about Brasstown Bald is that it has full 360 degree views and on a clear day you will be able to see views of four states all at once.

If you’re a fairly experienced hiker and you like a challenge pick up the Arkaquah Trail at the summit of Brasstown Bald and follow it for 11 miles to Track Rock Gap. There you’ll be able to view some ancient petroglyphs carved into the mountain by Native Americans centuries ago.

Hightower Bald

Located in: Southern Nantahala Wilderness

Height: 4,568 feet

Nearby City:  Mountain City

Known For: Hightower Bald isn’t far from Hiawassee, Georgia where the Appalachian Trail head is. One of the things that Hightower Bald is famous for is that it sits right on the border of North Carolina and Georgia. If you’re standing on the summit you can stand with one foot in each state. Only experienced hikers should attempt a hike to the summit though. There are very few actual trails on Hightower Bald aside from some crude game trails. You may end up cutting your way to the top if you lose the game trail. It’s a steep ascent to the top over rocky and uneven ground. The views at the top are great but you’ll have to put in some effort to get up there.

Slaughter Mountain

Located in: Blue Ridge Mountains

Height: 4,338 feet

Nearby City:  Blairsville

Known For: Slaughter Mountain isn’t far from Blood Mountain. It’s also very close to one of the stops on the Appalachian Trail called Neel’s Gap. If you want to see the best views on Slaughter Mountain you should pick up the Jarrard Trail which is part of the Appalachian Trail. It will take you in a loop from Lake Winfield Scott to Slaughter Mountain. Once you reach the mountain you will have a stunning walk through beautiful forest and green fields overflowing with wild flowers, depending on the time of the year when you are hiking. It’s a magnificent site to see when all the wildflowers are in bloom.

Wolfpen Ridge

Located in: Blueridge Mountains

Height: 4,561feet

Nearby City:   Blairsville

Known For: Wolfpen Ridge is the mountain ridge that Brasstown Bald is part of. You can pick up trails that will take you all along Wolfpen Ridge from Brasstown Bald. If you’re hiking up along Wolfpen Ridge make sure that you have plenty of water with you, especially if you’re hiking in the summer heat. There are not many good water sources along the ridge. You can pick up water at the visitor center at the summit of Brasstown Bald before you head out over Wolfpen Ridge if you want to make sure that you have enough water with you.

Dick’s Knob

Located in: Southern Nantahala Wilderness

Height: 4,620 feet

Nearby City:  Mountain City

Known For: The summit of Dick’s Knob is almost directly on the border between North Carolina and Georgia. It’s just a little less than a half mile from the summit to North Carolina. There are no trails that go over the summit but you can reach the summit by taking some of the side trails that connect with the Appalachian Trail. If you’re hiking up Dick’s Knob be prepared for some serious effort because there are not many cleared trails. If you’re willing to put in the effort to get to the summit you’ll be rewarded with some stunning views. But bring plenty of plenty of bug spray because the bugs in the deep brush of Georgia are no joke.

Rabun Bald

Located in: Blue Ridge Mountains

Height: 4,696 feet

Nearby City:  Sky Valley

Known For: Rabun Bald is the second highest peak in Georgia. A hike to the summit is worth the effort because you will be able to see for about 100 miles in all directions from the top of the mountain. But be careful! According to Native American legend there are people that live on the mountain that breath fire.

Rabun Bald is a quieter destination than Brasstown Bald, the tallest peak in Georgia that isn’t that far away. It’s not really a tourist destination and there are no shops or RV parking lots or things like that. The hike to the summit up the Bartram Trail is not that difficult so beginner hikers can get to the top without too much effort. Less experienced hikers who want to take the easiest path up the mountain should start at Hale Ridge Road and pick up the summit trail there.

Highest Point In Georgia

Brasstown Bald 4,784 ft

Up Next

• Nine of Georgia’s Best Lakes
• 10 Best Fishing Spots in Georgia
• Discover 6 Extinct Animals That Lived in Georgia

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com