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  • The A.T. in Georgia and the GATC
  • Put Your Money to Work on the AT
  • Road/Trail Closures

Springer Mtn Sunbeams cropThe Appalachian Trail in Georgia extends over 78 miles through the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, passing through five federally designated wilderness areas, a national recreation area, and a protected corridor.

The Trail follows the southernmost segment of the Blue Ridge chain of the Appalachian Mountains, reaching elevations above 4,000 feet at several locations. With over 50 miles of connected, GATC-maintained side trails, hiking opportunities that challenge, provide variety and breath-taking views abound. The A.T. continues into North Carolina at Bly Gap where hikers may continue their journey into the Nantahala National Forest on trail that is maintained by the Nantahala Hiking Club.

The Trail's southern terminus, located on the summit of Springer Mountain, is marked with an Appalachian Trail plaque and white blaze. You will find more information about how to prepare for a hike or backpacking trip and how to access the Appalachian Trail throughout this website.

The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club was founded on November 1, 1930 in Dahlonega, Georgia. We are an all-volunteer trail maintaining club responsible for the maintenance of over 130 miles of trail and trail facilities such as blazes, signs, shelters and privies in the north Georgia mountains. Our members, whether they have hiked the entire A.T. or are more casual about their outdoor recreation, come from all walks of life and share a passion for the Appalachian Trail and its protection for today and the future. Members of the GATC have served in leadership positions with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and previously the Appalachian Trail Conference from its earliest days. Many of our members serve on regional and trail-wide committees that direct and guide the present and future of the Appalachian Trail, as well.

In addition to maintaining and planning for the future of the A.T., we enjoy many recreational opportunities throughout the year. These trips have included day hikes, backpacks, photography, bicycle, canoeing and kayaking trips. These activities are not only in the mountains of north Georgia but in the city of Atlanta, the lakes of South Carolina, the coasts of Georgia and Florida and in many other locations throughout the southeast. We invite you to JOIN US and become a member of the leading trail maintaining club in Georgia and a leader in outdoor recreation!

Help Preserve the AT in Georgia

GATC Logo Black

As a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Charitable Organization, the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club can accept your financial donation in any amount. Donations of $100 or more may be designated to one or more of the following specific purposes:

  • General Donation
  • GATC Building Fund
  • Trail Ambassador Program
  • Outreach Programs
  • Conservation
  • Activities
  • Trail Maintenance/Repairs

Donated amounts of less than $100 will be considered a general donation. Click here to make a donation.

Sport your support when you have a Georgia AT License Plate!GATCNewPlate

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) receives $10 annually for each Georgia specialty A.T. plate purchased or renewed. Since the plate became available in 2013, Georgia license plate holders have raised over $300,000 for ATC.

Apply for Your Georgia A.T. Plate

Apply for your plate by visiting your local Tax Commissioner’s tag office, or by choosing the “Appalachian Trail Conservancy of Georgia” specialty plate when you renew your registration online. In addition to the regular vehicle registration fees, a standard, numerical A.T. license plate costs $35. There is also a one-time manufacturing fee of $25 when you first purchase your tag.

Georgia A.T. License Plate Grant Program

Each year, the ATC uses funds from the sale of Georgia A.T. license plates to provide grants to organizations and individuals who are working to help fulfill the ATC’s mission within the state of Georgia. As of 2021, nearly $500,000 has been raised through this program in support of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. Click here for a year-by-year summary of previous grantees and projects that received funding.

Create a Facebook Fundraiser in Support of Your Trail

Are you at a point in your life where those gifts you get for birthdays or other celebrations aren’t so special anymore? You can easily turn those potential gifts into a GATC Facebook Fundraisingmeaningful donation to your favorite trail – the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. If you have a Facebook account, you can set up a fundraiser that benefits the GATC, a 501c3 nonprofit. Your friends and family could donate the money they would spend on a gift to the club and perhaps get a tax benefit as a result as well. The funds generated by your Facebook fundraiser would amount to a generous gift to the Appalachian Trail here in Georgia.

To set up a benefit fundraiser, open your Facebook account and look for Menu items. Locate the Fundraiser tab (note: you may need to select "See more" to find it.) Search for the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club then set your preferences for the fundraiser.

All the money raised through your fundraiser will benefit the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. Your fundraiser will also help spread the word about the good work this club does to protect, maintain and advocate for the Appalachian Trail here in Georgia.

The Approach Trail is rerouted from the Amicalola Falls State Park Visitor Center to the top of the falls due to storm damage and reconstruction. Hikers can follow either the AFSP TrailsWest Ridge or East Ridge Trails to bypass the area. More details are available at the park visitor center.

It seems like spring is almost here, although they say “March comes in like a lamb, and out like a lion”.  One thing for sure, we don’t need any more rain.  The thru-hiker season is in full swing.  This season it appears we are about 110 starters ahead of last year.  Bob Sloan at Basecamp suggests this increase is from international hikers.

Cowpasture Pipeline

Perhaps you are familiar with a case concerning the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) crossing the Appalachian Trail in the George Washington National Forest (GWNF) in Virginia.  This will carry fracked natural gas from West Virginia to the east coast of Virginia and North Carolina. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) is among those challenging a permit issued by the Forest Service, contending that the USFS did not have the authority to issue a permit because the Trail, even on USFS land is “land in the National Park System”. The fourth circuit sided with SELC and revoked the permit. The appeal was heard by the Supreme court on Monday, Feb 24th.  

The question is whether the Forest Service (FS) has the authority to issue such a permit.  The Mineral Leasing Act (1920), which addresses energy development on federal lands and allows for the USFS to permit pipelines except on National Park lands.  The Appalachian Trail at this point is on a ridge, the pipeline would enter and exit on private property, 2,000 feet off either side and 600 feet below the trail. This involves a 42” hole drilled through rock for a mile which could take 12 to 18 months.  There is the possibility that the noise generated could be heard on the trail.

Additionally, there would be an area clear cut to facilitate burying the pipeline which could also affect the view shed.  While this part of the trail is not particularly “wild”, it is about 100 yards from the Blue Ridge Parkway where cars can be heard. The view shed also contains houses roads and fields.

If the petitioners lose, the pipeline may not happen due to the expense of rerouting. Even if they win, the future remains unclear because there are seven other permits, not related to this case, that were revoked by the 4th circuit.

Federal lands are owned by the federal government and managed by specific agencies, depending on the type of property. The case isn’t about who “owns” the trail but who has jurisdiction over the federally owned land the trail traverses.  The National Trails System Act (1968) confers administrative responsibility of the Appalachian Trail to the Park Service while specifically stating that the existence of the A.T. does not transfer underlying management authority.  The question is how far does that extend? 

Of particular concern is the affect the decision could have on the Cooperative Management System (CMS) that has been successfully used for over fifty years. If the 4th circuit decision is upheld, the role of the USFS in managing the Trail on USFS land becomes uncertain. Due to that uncertainty, the Forest Service is putting a halt to new and existing trail projects until this is worked out.  This will affect our upcoming trail relocation on Poor Mountain with the Konnarock crew coming this summer for four weeks.

I hope the court’s decision insures the CMA remains intact.  Our country has an increasing appetite for energy, certainly pipeline and infrastructure projects will continue and hopefully be permitted with local community and the public’s interest as well as other environmental issues primarily considered.

Board Meetings and Openings

To insure a strong future for our club I believe is important that more members become engaged with committees and activities.  Attending board meetings is a good place to start this process.  As such I would like to extend an open invitation to all members to attend a board meeting.  This is a good way for people to become familiar with club management and hopefully find some place to get involved.

Jay