Before You Go
Hike the Appalachian Trail in Georgia
A great hiking experience always starts with some basic preparation. Whether you intend to hike from Springer Mountain to Maine or you have never hiked in the woods and you just want to sample the wonder of our beautiful trails for a mile or two, the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club can help.
Group Hikes
A great way to learn about hiking is to sign up for one of our GATC group hikes. See the Event Calendar for upcoming hikes and to sign up. Note that some hikes have a capacity limit and GATC members get first slots – another good reason to Join GATC!
Our club group hikes are led by experienced GATC hikers. Join them for a hike and you will learn safety tips, hiking etiquette, trail lore, equipment advice, maybe a little history about the trail you are hiking and, if you are lucky, some entertaining stories. You might also climb a mountain or two and you are certain to discover some wonderful scenery.
Planning Your Hike
Whether you hike with the club, with friends or by yourself, here are some important considerations before you take your first step on one of our trails:
What is my physical condition?
Hiking in the woods is more strenuous than walking around your neighborhood or in a city park. Assess your physical condition and scale back your ambition if you haven’t hiked much, particularly in the north Georgia mountains. If you are new to this, you will discover out on the trail that your pace is slower than you anticipated.
How far should I hike?
The GATC calendar of group hikes contains a range of trails and distances. For a new hiker, a distance of five or six miles is a good introduction. Driving distance to and from the trailhead is another consideration for how far to go, as is the amount of daylight available.
Experienced and very fit backpack hikers can knock out 20-plus miles per day on the Appalachian Trail – for new hikers or hikers who aren’t physically ready for the rigors of a trail, five to eight miles in a day is a good goal. Trying to push beyond your ability is a mistake to avoid.
How hard is the Appalachian Trail to hike?
The challenge of hiking any part of the A.T. in Georgia should not be underestimated. Climbs out of the numerous gaps are often steep and the descents can be hard on the knees and feet. Hikers who arrive in Georgia to hike the A.T. for the first time are often shocked at how hard the first miles can be.
But don’t let the difficulty of the trail discourage you – our section of the A.T. is well maintained and every mile offers something wonderful. The key to a good experience is to start slow on a less difficult section of the trail. Driving to the parking area on USFS 42 and hiking north a couple of miles on the A.T. toward Three Forks is a great choice for new hikers.
When should I go?
Weather conditions and seasons affect the hiking experience to a greater degree than you might imagine. Spring, summer and fall bring crowds of hikers to many well-loved places on our trails and if solitude and quiet is what you are seeking, you may be disappointed if you choose one of those trail sections, particularly on a weekend or holiday.
Extremes of heat and cold add significantly to the challenge of any hike. Always check the weather before you go. A mild winter day can be the basis for a wonderful hike with great views through the bare tree canopy. However, what is merely a cold, rainy day at lower elevations can become a miserable day when a hiker reaches the trail’s high ridges and exposed summits. A weekend in the fall leaf season will be crowded at popular spots like Blood Mountain. An early spring day on the Appalachian Trail will result in meeting many thru-hikers determined to walk to Maine. Choose the day, location and season to suit the hiking experience you desire.
Consult local area weather forecasts or check the Appalachian Trail Weather site for more specific weather information on the trail.
Where should I go?
If you are venturing off to the north Georgia mountains on your own, consult the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club’s Trail Guide or other resources to plan your hike. There are many fine hiking trails besides the Appalachian Trail – the Benton MacKaye, the Bartram, Pinhoti and the Duncan Ridge to name just a few. A blue-blazed connecting trail to the A.T. like the Slaughter Gap Trail is often a good bet. Another good option is to join one of the GATC group hikes – our club offers many hikes on a wide assortment of trails in Georgia and beyond that are suitable for a wide range of abilities.
What should I take with me?
An important question – a good hiker prepares for not only what they expect on the trail but also the unanticipated but possible things that can happen out on a hike. Start with the Ten Essentials of gear for any hike:
- Map & compass, GPS
- Flashlight
- Extra food
- Water / filter
- Extra clothing
- Rain gear
- Matches / fire starter
- Sun protection
- Pocket knife
- First-aid kit
Cell phone service can be unreliable in many mountainous areas. Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back from your hike.
“Leave No Trace”
The Appalachian Trail in Georgia is one of the most heavily traveled sections along its 2,200 miles. Good familiarity with the principles of Leave No Trace and using them will help preserve the trail for everyone’s enjoyment.
What is “Leave No Trace”
“Leave No Trace” is a land use ethic based on the principle that education is less expensive than restoration. Commonly referred to as “LNT,” the seven principles are applied differently in different habitats and regions of the world. Have a look at the videos below, produced for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, that will help you understand the basic concepts and how they can be applied while enjoying the A.T.