The Trail's southern terminus is located atop remote Springer Mountain, near Forest Service Road 42. Since this area is difficult to reach by automobile, an 8.8 mile blue blazed "approach trail " begins at Amicalola Falls State Park on GA 52. Outstanding peaks along the Trail include Big Cedar Mountain, Blood Mountain, Cowrock Mountain, Rocky Mountain, and Tray Mountain. One of the many side trails leads from Chattahoochee Gap to the highest point in Georgia, Brasstown Bald. Bly Gap on the Georgia/North Carolina border is the northern end of the AT in Georgia. See the complete trail description.
The Georgia Trail is managed and maintained by the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service, Chattahoochee National Forest.
The GATC Trails and shelters committee is putting a tremendous amount of work into maintaining the balance between the preservation of the semi-primitive nature of the Chattahochee National Forest (through which the AT passes in Georgia), and the need for clear and adequate markings to help guide those unfamiliar with the route.
There are 12 shelters on the Georgia AT. All but one of these shelters are three sided, open front-front types, are floored, and have springs reasonably close by. The exception is the stone two room structure on top of Blood Mountain. It has four sides, open windows, and a sleeping platform. There is no water on top of Blood Mountain.
The difficulty of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia should not be underestimated. Elevations vary from about 2500 to 4500 feet with many steep climbs. North Georgia mountain weather is considerably colder and rainier than in the rest of the state. Snow and near-zero temperatures are common from mid-December through mid-March. Below-freezing nights may occur from early October through April. Hikers who start very early in the spring should come equipped for cold weather and freezing rain. All times of the year it is best to be prepared for rain. In dry summers, you should carry enough water for the day. Springs near the shelters are usually reliable but that’s not always the case in dry weather, so fill up water bottles whenever you can. There are some blue-blazed side trails that lead to nearby off-trail water sources. It is no longer safe to drink untreated water along the trail. Water should be either filtered through a microporous filter capable of removing Giardia, treated with a chemical purifier (preferably iodine-based), or boiled for several minutes. Bears have become a minor problem recently. While there have been no reported instances of bears attacking hikers, backpacks containing food have been ransacked. You might try hanging food out of reach of bears at night (they climb), and keep food and cooking away from the sleeping area. Bear cables for hanging food have been installed at all shelters except Blood Mountain. A number of animals will pilfer your food at night, such as skunks, raccoons, opossums and especially mice at the shelters. If you are prone to allergic reactions from yellow jackets and other insects, be sure to carry medication. Rattlesnakes and copperheads are seen infrequently on the trail, and usually try to get out of the hiker's way. Watch for snakes warming themselves on rocky outcrops. Mid/late October to early January is deer hunting season in North Georgia. (Exact dates vary from one year to the next, and from one Wildlife Management Area to the next). Extreme caution should be used during this period. We strongly advise staying on the trail and wearing an orange vest and pack cover. Crime is a rare occurrence on the trail, but it does happen. Some advice: camp away from roads that show vehicular use, do not discuss your hiking itinerary with strangers (don't say where you plan to camp for the night), and always imply you are hiking with a group even if you are traveling alone.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SOME INFORMATION STATED HERE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND IS BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE GEORGIA APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB. ALL INFORMATION SHOULD BE CONFIRMED AHEAD OF TIME.
Georgia AT