OUR MISSION

The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club manages, maintains, and protects the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Georgia with volunteers from its membership and the interested public.

The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club promotes the appreciation of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and natural outdoor places through education and recreational activities, with an emphasis on conservation ethics and protection of the forests, their natural resources and wilderness areas.

To make a Tax Deductible Donation to help the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club with its mission, click here.

Georgia Appalachian Trail Club maintains over 125 miles of trails in Georgia including all of the Appalachian Trail, associated side trails, and the Duncan Ridge Trail.

The Trail is divided into 11 districts, managed by district leaders. The districts are further divided into sections, which are maintained by one or more maintainers. The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club has about 150 maintainers among its members.

If you have a passion to help maintain and pass this valuable resource on
for future generations to enjoy, check out our "Get Involved" tab above.

The Appalachian Trail is a beloved American icon, but the trail faces continual threats and needs constant attention to conserve its beautiful vistas, cultural landmarks, and rare and endangered species for future generations. Georgia Appalachian Trail Club participates in the following conservation initiatives to help preserve the trail for generations to come.

Public Participation in Proposed Actions

Georgia Appalachian Trail Club systematically monitors proposed Forest Service projects and Special Use Permits issues to determine if they will impact any of the followings areas of concern. All responses submitted to the Forest Service are maintained on file for future reference.

The Appalachian Trail or any recognized and maintained side trails

The Appalachian Trail experience

Other hiking trails and areas in the national forest that GATC members may frequent

Issues of general concern to the hiking community’s use of the national forest.

Georgia Appalachian Trail Club hosts more than 100 activities each year for club members and prospective members.  Pre-registration is required, as some locations limit the number of daily visitors.  Descriptions below offer a glimpse of the available activities.  Please see the calendar of events for more details.

Day Hikes

Experienced GATC Members lead about 70 Day Hikes throughout the year. We hike the entire AT in Georgia via a series of twelve monthly Day Hikes. We hike the Benton MacKaye Trail in Georgia via a series of ten monthly Day Hikes. A Series of twelve monthly Challenge Day Hikes either: 1) go to the summits of about 10 GA 4000-foot high mountain peaks, or 2) are in remote locations on longer, difficult maintained trails. GATC Members also lead Day Hikes on trails in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina; and a series of in-town hikes. We recently started a series of Day Hikes just for women and families.

The mission of the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club includes promoting “appreciation of the Appalachian Trail and of the natural world in general.” But in our connected, increasingly urban, and fast paced world, fewer people each year seem to take the time to slow down and appreciate that natural world that is both their heritage and their responsibility. The purpose of GATC’s Outreach Program is to encourage and facilitate that appreciation, particularly with young people.

Reaching Out to Diverse Youth Groups

In cooperation with the Global Village Project, GATC leaders conduct a comprehensive program for refuge girls including an introduction to day hiking, outdoor skills, and backpacking.  GATC is seeking to expand outreach efforts to reach diverse youth groups, to increase knowledge and encourage stewardship of our natural resources.  Should you have an interested group for more information contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Reaching Out Through the Hike Inn and Other Partners

Georgia’s Len Foote Hike Inn, about 5 miles by trail from Amicalola Falls State Park, is a non-profit inn located deep in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Its mission is to make experiencing nature easy, and help protect it through education and recreation. That makes it an ideal partner for GATC Outreach, and we take many school and youth groups on overnight trips there each year.

The GATC has also partnered with the Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center (GMREC), south of Blairsville, to develop a set of classes for grade school students to provide an AT Experience. The GMREC is an educational extension service provided by the University of Georgia. Classes are tailored to the grade level and should be arranged for by teachers thru GMREC by requesting an AT Day for your class or classes.

If you're a teacher and interested in engaging with the GATC for either of these unique opportunities to bring the Appalachian Trail into your classroom, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Reaching Out to Communities

Georgia has five officially designated Appalachian Trail Communities: Blairsville - Union County, Dahlonega, Ellijay - Gilmer County, Helen - White County, and Hiwassee - Towns County. This designation by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy recognizes that the communities welcome hikers, promote the Appalachian Trail, and promote conservation and protection of natural areas. GATC works with the communities to encourage outdoor recreation. Some of the AT-related festivals in these communities where the GATC has had a presence in past years are listed below:

• • • Mountain Crossing AT Kick Off – Neel Gap on Hwy 19&129 South of Blairsville
  • • AT Kickoff at Amicalola Falls State Park - at Amicalola  Falls State Park Lodge
  • • Earth Day at Hamilton Gardens – Hiawassee
  • • Memorial Day Parade and Arts and Crafts Festival – Blairsville
  • • National Trails Day Celebration – Vogel State Park - Hwy 19&129 South of Blairsville
  • • AT Day on Brasstown Bald – Brasstown Bald on Hwy 180
  • • Hemlock Festival – Ellijay Park
  • • Mountain Heritage Festival – Blairsville
  • • Dahlonega Trail Fest – Dahlonega

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - General spokesperson for the Club. Serves as liaison for Club with the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Chairs Board of Directors meetings. Brings to the board issues originating with the membership or general public.

Tap into the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club knowledge bank and learn from our 800 members who share their experience and technical expertise on outdoor recreation, conservation, and of course, all things related to the Appalachian Trail.  Or volunteer to lead a class on one of your favorite topics.

National Trails Day

National Trails Day, created by the American Hiking Society and taking place on the first Saturday in June, inspires the public and trail enthusiasts nationwide to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops, and trail work projects.

Mission

Georgia Appalachian Trail Club manages, maintains, and protects the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Georgia with volunteers from its membership and the interested public.

The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club promotes the appreciation of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and natural outdoor places through education and recreational activities, with an emphasis on conservation ethics and protection of the forests, their natural resources and wilderness areas.