Southern Highroads Trail - North Georgia Mountain Area Information

Travel north from Atlanta and you’ll find beautiful mountains stretching west from the Cumberland range to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northeast corner of the state. Although lush with vegetation throughout the year, an autumn visit to North Georgia is a must!

Browse the featured destinations highlighted below, or use the menu at left to learn more about a specific area along the Georgia portion of the Southern Highroads Trail.

Featured Destinations in Georgia

	Blairsville Scottish Festival & Highland Games The Blairsville Scottish Festival & Highland Games are held the 2nd weekend in June and is one of a kind! Commended for its beautiful setting and friendly people, the Blairsville Festival includes Clan Gatherings, Scottish Vendors, Pipe and Drum Bands, Parade of Tartans, Amateur Athletics, Border Collie Demonstrations, Children's Games and Activities, Scottish Dancing and Music, Scottish Village Exhibit, Scottish Fiddle Workshop, Scottish Harp Workshop, and a Genealogy Tent. more information
	Suches and Lake Winfield Scott Suches and Lake Winfield Scott, west off US 129, where GA 180 meets GA 60, the town “Above the Clouds” is home to Woody Gap School, Georgia’s smallest school with a total enrollment of 115 students in 2006 for its grades K-12. Suches also hosts the Indian Summer Festival the first weekend in October. Nearby Lake Winfield Scott is part of the Chattahoochee National Forest. more information
	Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Don't miss the train! Take a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which runs along the Toccoa River from Blue Ridge to McCaysville. Board the train at the historic depot in Blue Ridge. The view changes with the seasons, wildflowers and mountain laurel in the spring, rhododendron in the summer, gorgeous foliage in the fall and a ride with Santa and his elves for Christmas. more information
	Rabun County Vineyards Blessed with some of the steepest, well-drained hillsides to be found in the U.S., North Georgia's topography, elevation, and climate (our unique terroir) is extraordinarily well-suited to a relatively recent agricultural development in Rabun County vineyards. Benefiting from the classic wine-friendly soils of the region, Georgia vineyards are undergoing an exciting evolution, cultivating and producing award-winning vivifera and hybrid wines recognized regionally and nationally. Visitors to Rabun County's vineyards can enjoy special wine tastings, winery tours, festivals and events at Persimmon Creek Vineyards and Tiger Mountain Vineyards. more information
	Chattooga River Rafting Rabun County offers many choices for outdoor recreation with whitewater rafting being the most popular. The Chattooga Wild and Scenic River's Class V and VI rapids through Rabun County guarantee to get the adrenaline flowing. The Chattooga is well known for it provided the awe-inspiring backdrop for the whitewater sequence in the movie Deliverance. more information
	Unicoi State Park Nestled in the Northeast Georgia Mountains and in the Chattahoochee National Forest, lies the Unicoi State Park, a 1050 acres of natural beauty and activities. Located just two miles north of Alpine Helen, the Unicoi State Park offers a wide variety of group meeting space, wedding facilities, church and family retreats. The park offers 12 miles of nature and hiking trails, 8 miles of mountain biking, fishing, swimming, canoe and paddle boat rentals, tennis courts, softball and volleyball areas, and picnic facilities. more information
	Fishing in White County The area of Alpine Helen has many opportunities for fishing, not just in the city limits of Helen, but also in the immediate surroundings as well. Helen has many stocked streams and lakes for people to choose from when fishing, the best known is the Chattahoochee River, from which you can fish in the city or have a guided fishing tour. One can fish trout in the Chattahoochee River, using real or artificial bait, catching up to eight fish a day. more information
	Tallulah Gorge Tallulah Gorge is one of the most spectacular gorges in the southeastern U.S., running three miles and between 600 and 1,000 feet deep. Tallulah Gorge State Park's breathtaking views and the town's rich history make this area a favorite stopping point along U.S. Highway 441. The park offers camping, lake/beach swimming, trails, and an interpretive center with exhibits and film. more information
	Cartecay River Whitewater Details coming soon. more information
	Sautee Valley Details coming soon. more information
	Vineyards in Towns County Sitting high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia, Towns County has the perfect microclimate and well-drained soils that allow for the cultivation of flavorful grapes that produce fresh and complex wines. more information
	Carters Lake Nestled at the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains of North Georgia, the rugged shoreline and deep, clear waters invite you to take advantage of the many recreational opportunities found here. Boat ramps, playgrounds, public beach, picnicking areas, camping, hiking, mountain biking and a variety of water sports abound at this gem of a lake hidden in the mountains. more information
	The Walasi-Yi Center The Walasi-Yi Center is an outdoor outfitters facility and gift shop on the Appalachian Trail where the trail crosses US Highway 19/129 beside the center. more information
	Charlie Mountain Overlook more information
	Lake Chatuge Beautiful Lake Chatuge is nestled between two states and the two towns of Hiawassee, GA and Hayesville, N.C. This pristine lake, exquisitely nestled between the Tusquitee Mountains named "the Great Blue Hills of God," by the Cherokee, has 132 miles of shoreline and is ideal for fishing, swimming, boating and camping. Visitors enjoy casual walks along the dam with its spectacular view of the lake and surrounding mountains. more information
	Lake Burton Lake Burton one of the 5 lakes in Rabun County was created in 1925 when Georgia Power flooded the deep valley, covering the remains of the town of Burton that was once there. Today the lake is a favorite for anglers, boaters, bird watchers, and those who are drawn to live beside its placid waters. more information
	The Appalachian Trail The Appalachian Trail is a wilderness footpath that winds over 2,100 miles along the crest of the Appalachian mountains runs through fourteen states. The Appalachian Trail in Georgia extends some 80 miles through the most rugged areas of the Chattahoochee National Forest. more information
	Georgia Mountain Fair The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds plays host to several popular annual events including the Georgia Mountain Fair, the Georgia Mountain Roots & Music Festival, the Hiawassee Festival of Arts, the Superstar Concert Series, the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival and Georgia’s Official State Fiddler’s Convention. The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds are located along the shores of beautiful Lake Chatuge in the north Georgia mountain community of Hiawassee and is only two hours from Atlanta, Greenville, Asheville and Chattanooga. more information
	Oktoberfest Currently, Helen has the longest-running Oktoberfest, lasting a full eight weeks in the fall, and brings in the most tourists for the year. Starting in mid-September until early November, the town of Helen transforms into a festive Oktoberfest party, complete with German music, attire and dancing. The Oktoberfest is held in Helen’s Festhalle, an enclosed building that houses the German music, dancing, food and drinks, located one block from the downtown Helen area shops and restaurants. more information
	Union County Courthouse The Union County Courthouse is a Romanesque style brick and granite structure built in 1899, unique in its Appalachian Georgia setting. Housing the Union County Historical Society and Cultural Center, the exhibits display the history and culture of Union County. more information
	Alpine Helen Situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and only two hours north of Atlanta, lies Helen, Georgia, a re-creation German Town. For many years, people have asked why Helen is the way it is, and here is the story of how a logging town became a bustling recreation German town. more information
	Cohutta Wilderness Area The largest National Forest Wilderness east of the Mississippi River, the Cohutta Wilderness encompasses 37,042 acres in Georgia and Tennessee. Elevations range from 950 feet at the Jacks River Bridge in the Alaculsy Valley to 4,200 feet atop Big Frog Mountain. Black bear, whitetail deer, wild boar and turkey are found here. The protected Jacks and Conasauga Rivers offer over 45 miles of quality native trout fishing in season. more information
	Chief Vann House Referred to as the "Showplace of the Cherokee Nation," this two-story classic brick mansion was built by Chief James Vann in 1804. Decorated with beautiful Cherokee hand carvings done in natural colors of blue, red, green and yellow, the home features a cantilevered stairway and many fine antiques. The Vann House passed out of the hands of the family when "Rich Joe" Vann unknowingly violated state law by hiring a white man to work for him. The government seized his properties and the house was awarded to a white land lottery winner in 1834. more information
	Butternut Creek Golf Course & Meeks Park Butternut Creek Golf Course & Meeks Park are both part of the Union Country Recreation Department. Operated by the County, the golf course includes a clubhouse, Pro Shop, large picnic pavilion and 18 challenging holes. more information
	Black Rock Mountain State Park Black Rock Mountain State Park encompasses 1,803 acres along the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. The park's central feature, Black Rock Mountain, is 3,640 feet high. This majestic peak, along with five others, makes Black Rock Mountain State Park Georgia's loftiest recreational area. There are numerous scenic overlooks and hiking trails. more information
	Sautee-Nacoochee Indian Mound The famous Nacoochee Indian Mound is located in White County, Georgia at the corner of highways 17 and 75, just before entering the town of Helen. The legend of the Nacoochee Indian Mound states that Indian lovers from opposing tribes are buried within the mound. During the summer of 1980 Nacoochee Valley, in which the Mound is located, was placed on the National Register of Historical Places as a historical district. more information
	Brasstown Bald Brasstown Bald delights with a 360 degree vista of four states atop Georgia's highest elevation of 4,784 feet. The observation tower at the summit has incredible panoramic daytime and nighttime views. A Museum offers a film about the rich history of the Bald and the surrounding area. more information
	Lake Burton Lake Burton is a wide watershed lake designed to hold late winter and early spring downfalls for electric production during the hot summer. The fingers of the lake reach deep into the valleys that were flooded, offering canoeists a remarkable opportunity to paddle down the lake. more information
	Vogel State Park Vogel State Park is one of Georgia’s oldest and most popular state parks, Vogel offers tent and trailer sites, rental cottages, a 20-acre lake, miniature golf, swimming beach, picnic shelters, pedal boats and 17 miles of hiking trails for the outdoor enthusiast. more information
	Helton Creek Falls Helton Creek Falls is always a visitor favorite! Tucked away on a forest service road, this beautiful double falls is set in deep hardwood forest. Their total vertical drop is more than 100 feet. A 300 yard easy trek trail leads to the falls. more information
	Murray County Courthouse The Doric-styled courthouse was erected in 1916 and is one of only three domed courthouses in the State of Georgia. The Courthouse has been home for various county officials and still maintains offices in the building. In a controversy during the planning, Murray County Commissioners went to jail for contempt rather than see any interruptions of their plans. The first court session was held in February 1917. more information
	Lake Blue Ridge Lake Blue Ridge is a 3,290-acre lake, providing over 100 miles of mostly public shoreline. The surrounding area has over 90 National Forest campsites, several boat ramps, a full service marina and public swimming and picnic areas, including Morganton Point and Lake Blue Ridge Recreation areas. Lake Blue Ridge is the only small-mouth bass lake in Georgia and the only lake in the state where you can catch a Muskie, a game fish of the Pike family. more information
	Chattahoochee River Tubing Through the middle of Alpine Helen runs the famous Chattahoochee River, and during the summer months, the river is flooded with people taking a relaxing ride in innertubes. With two tubing companies in Helen and a water park as well, there is not a lack of water activities for the whole family to enjoy. Tubing season in Helen starts in late May and runs everyday until the first weekend in September, then runs on weekends to October. Enjoy seeing Alpine Helen from the comfort of a lazy river ride through the downtown area of the city. more information