23 Best Hikes in Georgia: The Top-Rated Hiking Trails to Visit in 2024

• Location: Cloudland Canyon State Park, 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, GA, 30738
• Mileage: Accessible trails include the 1.0-mile Overlook Trail and 2.0-mile Waterfall Trail.
• Level of Difficulty: Varies
• FYI: There’s a $5 parking fee for entrance to this Georgia State Park. In addition to hiking trails, Cloudland Canyon has plenty of camping opportunities, a frisbee golf park, and even mountain bike and equestrian trails.

If ever a state park were perfectly named, it would be North Georgia's Cloudland Canyon State Park.

This 3,000-acre park near the Georgia and Tennessee border boasts some of the most sublime and stunning natural scenery in the state – minus the large crowds that some of the lower parks and peaks attract.

Panoramic views abound, especially along the Overlook Trail, which, at just one mile round-trip, is easily one of the best and most accessible hiking trails in Georgia.

• Location: 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Road, Tallulah Falls, GA, 30573
• Mileage: The North Rim and South Rim Trails clock in at 2.5 miles total.
• Level of Difficulty: Easy
• FYI: While some hikers at Tallulah hit the Hurricane Falls Trail across the suspension bridge, you don’t need to snag any permits or go into the canyon for the aforementioned Rim Trails. The day fee to enter the park is $5.

Tallulah Gorge State Park is the kind of pristine place that seems too beautiful to be real. Luckily for us, it’s as real as it gets.

One of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern U.S., Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep, and offers numerous hiking opportunities.

At about 2.5 miles total for both the North Rim Trail and South Rim Trails, this is one of the best trails in Georgia for everyone, and the excursion offers some of the best views of the park – without putting in too much work.

• Location: 8930 Canyon Road, Lumpkin, GA, 31815
• Mileage: The Providence Canyon Backcountry Trail Loop is 6.6 miles long.
• Level of Difficulty: This trail is considered moderately challenging, with a total elevation gain of 583 feet that generally takes 2-3 hours to complete.
• FYI: This trail passes through a river, so plan accordingly. It costs $5 to park at Providence Canyon State Park, and annual passes are available for $50, which covers entrance to all Georgia State Parks.

Hailed as Georgia’s very own Little Grand Canyon, there’s really nothing little about this natural wonder.

Commanding and captivating, Providence Canyon is actually the result of poor farming practices, which led to the creation of the park’s gorges. (What a marvelous accident!) Today, it’s home to some of the best hiking trails in Georgia, including the Providence Canyon Backcountry Trail Loop which winds all through the canyons on a 6.6-mile adventure.

Being man-made, the canyon is a unique hiking experience that you can’t find anywhere else in the state; between the striking colors of the canyon walls (especially vivid in the fall), the unique history, and the jaw-dropping vistas, this is one of the best hiking trails in Georgia.

• Location: 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Rd, Tallulah Falls, GA 30573 | Video Tour
• Stats: This 2.4-mile out-and-back trail in Tallulah Gorge State Park is short but challenging with steep descents down the 1,000 ft gorge
• Good to Know: There are 310 stairs from the trailhead to the suspension bridge that crosses the gorge about halfway down. The suspension bridge offers a spectacular view and photo opportunity so get your camera ready!

If you love waterfall hikes and gorgeous nature scenery then a visit to Tallulah Gorge State Park is a must! Tallulah Falls is actually a collection of six different waterfalls that cascade down Georgia's famous 1,000 ft gorge. The most challenging and rewarding of the hikes is Hurricane Falls; a 2-mile round trip hike which crosses the iconic suspension bridge you've probably seen in pictures. You'll need a permit from the state park office but Tallulah Falls is a definite bucket list location for waterfall and hiking lovers.

What's a waterfall hike in Georgia no one knows about?

Pocket Falls is one of the least-known waterfalls in the state of Georgia, but totally worth trekking to experience. Bonus: the hike is less than a mile long and kid-friendly!

• Location: Byron Reece Memorial Trail, Blairsville, GA, 30512
• Mileage: 4.5+ miles
• Level of Difficulty: This hike is rated hard, with an elevation gain of over 1,700 feet.
• FYI: This trail is open year-round and there are no fees to access it. While the trail itself is 4.5 miles, additional mileage can be tacked on at various crossings.

The hike to the top of Blood Mountain is an advanced trek that’s not for the faint of heart; however, this adventure rewards hikers with the kind of views of Georgia that one can only dream about.

Nestled in the heart of the Appalachians, Blood Mountain is the tallest point on the entire Appalachian Trail in the state of Georgia, and the Byron Reece Trail crosses the acclaimed path during its 4.5-mile run.

The steep climb requires grit and determination, but for those willing to put one foot in front of the other, the views from the top of Blood Mountain are nothing short of extraordinary.

• Location: 220 Shake Rag Road, Hiawassee, GA, 30546
• Mileage: N/A - this adventure consists of a scenic drive and short-and-sweet stair climb.
• Level of Difficulty: Accessible, save for the stairs to the observation deck.
• FYI: The park hours are from 8 a.m. to dark, which should be strictly enforced as the winding road curves up the mountain in a potentially hazardous way.

One of Georgia's most popular mounts, Bell Mountain is a beautiful mountaintop that’s a magical place for scenery, solitude, and sometimes spotting bald eagles.

In case you’ve never been, expect to find a pretty steep drive up to an observation deck on top that boasts panoramic views of the Georgia mountainscape. At 3,424 feet, Bell Mountain is a historical place with not just one overlook platform, but two, offering 360-degree vistas of the surrounding mountains and lakes.

Don’t worry about a strenuous hike either; with just a steep drive and a set of stairs to climb, you’ll be enjoying sweeping views of Lake Chatuge, Brasstown Bald, and Hiawa, without breaking a sweat.

• Location: Chatsworth, GA, 30705
• Mileage: 4.0 miles, out-and-back.
• Level of Difficulty: This trail is considered moderately challenging, with a 738-foot elevation gain. It typically takes around two hours to complete.
• FYI: This hike is dog-friendly, and quite popular. To avoid crowds, go early in the morning, mid-week.

Looking for an off-the-grid adventure that just so happens to also be one of the most scenic mountain hikes in Georgia? Then the Grassy Mountain Tower Trail is for you.

This four-mile, out-and-back trail is located deep in the Cohutta Wilderness, which, at 30,000 square miles, is the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi. This trail winds through some of the most rugged, remote, and resplendent parts of the South, through forests and streams, with a slow-and-steady 750-foot elevation gain that leads to a truly jaw-dropping vista.

Since Lake Conasauga has the highest elevation of any lake within the state of Georgia, it’s only natural that the views will be sublime… and they are!

• Location: 299 Pocket Road, Chickamauga, GA, 30707
• Mileage: 0.9 miles, out-and-back
• Level of Difficulty: This trail is rated easy.
• FYI: The area of the trail is considered private property, which simply means that it isn’t owned by public lands, so you will need to obtain an online Georgia permit before visiting. To view the falls at their best, visit after heavy rain.

Spring is a stunning season in the Peach State when flourishing wildflowers paint the landscape in all colors of the rainbow.

For those romantic souls, the Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail has been lauded as one of the top places to check out blossoming flowers in Georgia. This 0.9-mile, out-and-back trail features a boardwalk hike, a stunning waterfall, and close to 50 different varieties of wildflowers throughout.

Oh, and the best part of this easy little hike in Georgia? It ends in a beguiling little waterfall, which, when combined with the blooming flora, makes for a real-life Garden of Eden experience.

• Location: 405 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville, GA, 30512
• Mileage: 1.1-mile loop trail
• Level of Difficulty: Easy
• FYI: Vogel State Park charges a $5 parking fee. You can also purchase an annual pass that is valid at all Georgia State Parks for $50.

Georgia’s fall foliage comes and goes in a flash, making this elusive show all the more captivating. And while there are many ways to take it all in, the autumnal colors at Vogel State Park are not to be missed.

Within this pristine Peach State paradise, the Trahlyta Lake Trail comes to life during the fall months, as hikers are able to hug the shorelines with views of colorful foliage in every direction.

One of the most scenic easy hikes in Georgia, this mile-long trek encircles the eponymous lake, and the surrounding foliage glitters off the waters in breathtaking gold and orange hues.

• Location: Dungeness Ruins, St, Marys, GA, 31558
• Mileage: 4.3-mile loop trail
• Level of Difficulty: Easy. Despite its mileage, this trail is flat and well-marked.
• FYI: Cumberland Island National Seashore charges a fee of $10/adult. Ferry fees are an additional $30/adult. You can also purchase a park-specific annual pass for $35. Also, leave Fido at home; dogs are not permitted on this trail.

For anyone who is looking for a waterfront hike in Georgia that will offer some truly spectacular views, we recommend the Dungeness Loop Trail.

While a bit longer than some other short-and-sweet treks in the state, this 4.3-mile adventure takes explorers on a scenic tour de force of Cumberland Island, making it worth each and every step.

Get ready for ocean vistas, bay scenes, and an abundance of wildlife (including wild horses!) along this scenic loop trail, one of the best easy hikes in Georgia.

• Location: 7000 GA-53, Dawsonville, GA, 30534
• Mileage: 3 miles
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate
• FYI: You must have a hunting license, fishing license, or GORP (Georgia Outdoor Recreation Pass) to enter. Make sure to have your licensure or identification handy to avoid any issues.

What is traditionally called the Amicalola River Trail is known by the locals as the Edge of the World Trail, and indeed, this trek feels like something out of a fantasy.

This three-mile trail winds through forests that feel wild and remote, with babbling streams and beguiling footbridges adding a fairy-tale ambiance to the experience. What awaits at the end of three miles is a stunning, clear-blue swimming hole surrounded by lush foliage that’s a true Georgia oasis.

It’s a popular Georgia oasis, however, so if you want this slice of paradise all to yourself, you’ll want to venture out early in the day, preferably mid-week.

• Location: Cannon Point Road, Saint Simons Island, GA, 31522
• Mileage: 7 miles
• Level of Difficulty: Easy. Despite its mileage, this trail is well-paved and flat, with just 42 feet of elevation gain in total.
• FYI: Access to the preserve is reserved for pedestrians and those on bikes only. Pets are not allowed on the hike. Please note the preserve is only open select days of the week: Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

For those who have dreamed of quite literally stepping back in time, the Cannon’s Point Plantation Ruins is an adventure unlike any other.

One of the best day hikes in Georgia, this 7.0-mile loop trail on St. Simons Island winds through 600 acres of untouched wilderness that’s home to native species, beautiful mature maritime forest, and magnificent marshes teeming with wildlife.

With a history that dates back to Native American settlements from 2500 BCE to the more recent Cannon’s Point Plantation (the ruins of which haunt the eponymous park) in the 1800s, there truly is no Georgia day hike better for an intrepid historian than this.

• Location: Forest Service Road 42, Blue Ridge, GA, 30513
• Mileage: 10 miles round-trip
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate. With an elevation gain of 1,860 feet, this loop trail generally takes hikers 4-5 hours to complete.
• FYI: Dogs are welcome on the trail and are permitted off-leash in some areas.

Are you looking for the hike of a lifetime? We have just the adventure for you.

One of the hardest day hikes in Georgia, the Springer Mountain Loop is a nearly 10-mile round-trip adventure that, in addition to epic mountaintop vistas, passes one of the starting (or end) points for the most iconic hike in the country: the Appalachian Trail.

The sunrises from the summit of Springer Mountain are unreal; and for those looking to break up this 10-mile day trek into two days, there is the option to spend the evening at the famed Len Foote Hike Inn.

• Location: GA-75, Cleveland, GA, 30528
• Mileage: 4.8-mile loop trail
• Level of Difficulty: Difficult
• FYI: The best times to visit this trail are February through November.

Make no mistake about it: the Mount Yonah Trail in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is one of the most beautiful hikes in Georgia, but also one of the most dangerous.

This 4.8-mile trail is heavily trafficked, and with such an intense elevation gain (nearly 1,500 feet total) it’s a steep climb best attempted by nimble and well-prepared hikers – and only when weather conditions are, and have been, favorable.

However, for intrepid adventurers, Mount Yonah is a bucket-list accomplishment; afterward, raise a glass in celebration at nearby Tantrum Brewing Company or Yonah Mountain Vineyards.

• Location: 181 Fort Mountain Park Road, Chatsworth, GA, 30705
• Mileage: 1.4-mile out-and-back trail
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate
• FYI: Looking to tack on more mileage to your adventure? The distance from the lower parking lot to the Visitor’s Center tower and back is roughly seven miles. Users can also drive to the base of the tower and make it a shorter half-mile hike. However, the road to the higher portion may be closed in winter.

Don’t be fooled by the brevity of this trek; though it’s only 1.4 miles long, the Brasstown Bald Trail is one of the most difficult day hikes in Georgia.

But it’s also one of the most rewarding. Brasstown Bald, the highest point in the Peach State, stands tall at 4,784 feet above sea level, and it’s a summit for every Georgia hiker’s bucket list. (In terms of amazing sunrises, you can’t beat the views from this mount, either.)

Especially delicious in the autumn, the colorful fall foliage across Georgia’s magnificent mountains is sure to take your breath away… that is if the hike didn’t already!

• Location: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Sandy Springs, GA, 30339
• Mileage: 4 miles round-trip
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate, given its variety of terrain.
• FYI: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area charges a $5/vehicle fee to enter. Fees are per vehicle. You can also purchase a park-specific annual pass. The East Palisades Trail is dog-friendly, provided pups remain on leash.

In-the-know outdoor enthusiasts in Atlanta know they can always escape the busy streets of A-Town on the East Palisades Trail in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

While this area itself is well-known, this trail, in particular, is not.

This hike clocks in around four miles round-trip; and, when taken during the right time of day, will reward hikers with some truly stunning sights: whitewater rapids, old mill ruins, and even a bamboo forest… all in the middle of Atlanta, Georgia!

• Location: 2500 Bettis Tribble Gap Road, Cumming, GA, 30040
• Mileage: 3-4 miles round-trip, depending on how far you detour to ogle the abandoned mines and overlooks!
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate; there are about 500 feet of elevation gain, and the trek takes most hikers around 90 minutes to complete.
• FYI: Dogs are not allowed on this trail.

Abandoned places abound in the Peach State and for those looking for a bonafide ghost town on the trails, the Indian Seats Trail delivers – and delights.

One of the best hikes near Atlanta, this trail comes in under four miles round-trip, making it a fantastic morning or afternoon adventure. Winding through the ruins of abandoned gold mining tunnels, it’s the kind of adventure sure to have your imagination running wild.

Keep walking along the route, though, and you’ll encounter one of the most breathtaking overlooks in Georgia, where the lovely expanse of the Peach State seems to go on forever.

• Location: Young Harris, GA
• Mileage: 12 miles round-trip
• Level of Difficulty: Difficult. The trail takes 7-8 hours to complete, and most hikers split it into two days.
• FYI: This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Dogs are permitted on the trail, and there are even opportunities for off-leash adventures, too.

The Arkaquah Trail at Brasstown Bald is one of the most coveted hiking experiences in Georgia.

Not only does this hike begin at the highest point in Georgia, but the views throughout this hike are sensational; we’re talking mountain views for days… and nights! Because given the difficulty and duration of this trek (12 miles through mountainous terrain), most choose to split the hike into two days, opting to stay at one of the myriad campgrounds and even glampgrounds located in Brasstown Bald.

Not only does this allow for a wholly immersive experience in Georgia nature, but the sunsets and sunrises here are bucket-list worthy.

• Location: Pine Mountain Trail-West, Cartersville, GA, 30120
• Mileage: 1.57 miles
• Level of Difficulty: Rated easy, this trail is accessible for most hikers.
• FYI: This hike is free and a recurring event offered through Cartersville Parks & Recreation. Bring a flashlight, and be aware that the hike can be canceled in the event of inclement weather.

Spanning over 9,000 acres, Pine Mountain State Park is the largest state park in Georgia. Hiking opportunities abound here, including the eponymous Pine Mountain Trail, a 22-mile adventure that, for most, is best broken into scenic segments, including the park’s acclaimed Moonlite Hike.

Happening monthly (with some exceptions) on the eve of the full moon, visitors can take part in the guided 1.57-mile hike to the David G. Archer Summit Overlook. The moonlight vistas, which include stunning views of Allatoona Lake, the Etowah River Valley, and all the shimmering and shining lights of Cartersville, are sure to take your breath away.

Once you’ve tired yourself out on the trails, take a rest at Pine Mountain RV Resort, where you can BYO RV, pitch a tent, or book one of their modern yurts.