My friend and I visited Brasstown Bald mountain recently. It is located within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests and it is the highest point in Georgia, rising 4,784 feet above sea level. Brasstown Bald is located near the towns of Blairsville, Hiawassee, and Helen. The Bald has a gift shop, hiking trails, a mountaintop natural science & history museum, and an observation deck that offers a spectacular 360° view of the surrounding area. That includes viewing four states: Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The skyline of Atlanta is visible on a clear day. There is an optional complimentary shuttle bus from the parking area to the mountaintop.
Brasstown Bald offers access to four hiking trails that range from 1/2 to 6 miles long. First, the Brasstown Bald Trail is a steep, paved 1/2 mile trail which leads from the parking lot to the Visitor Information Center on the Bald. Next, the Arkaquah Foot Trail is about 5.5 miles long and ends at Track Rock Gap. Third is the Jacks Knob Foot Trail is 4.5 miles and leads to the Appalachian Trail. Lastly, the Wagon Train Foot Trail is 5.8 miles and leads to Wagon Train Road which ends at Young Harris College.
We enjoyed the scavenger hunt activity inside the natural science and history museum. The museum has plenty of informative exhibits about the area’s geology and ecology, climate and weather, history and culture and video presentations in the mountain top theatre. It was a great experience with lots of photo ops and it is a family-friendly adventure.
Have you ever been to Brasstown Bald? What are some of your favorite hiking trails?
Be sure to share this blog post and subscribe to stay in the loop!
-Love
