10 Amazing Mountains in Georgia

↓ Keep reading to watch this amazing video

Georgia is more known for its flat plains and heat and humidity than mountains, but Georgia does have a lot of mountains. Depending on which direction you're hiking, the famous Appalachian Trail starts or ends in Georgia. The Blue Ridge Mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountains that run through Tennessee and end in northern Georgia. Intrepid hikers can enjoy some great hikes in Georgia. Some of Georgia's mountains are astonishingly high and the terrain is rugged enough to challenge even experienced hikers.

If you plan to hike in Georgia, try to schedule your hikes in the fall and winter. The hottest months for hiking in Georgia are July and August, and temperatures can get dangerously high during these months. Georgia is known for its famous heat and humidity, which can make summer hiking uncomfortable unless you're well prepared with water and weather-appropriate clothing.

10 Best Mountains in Georgia to Visit

Georgia has more than 10 mountains worth visiting, but these are Georgia's most popular mountain destinations and the best mountains for hiking.

mountain fort

Located in: Fort Mountain State Park

Altitude: 2,850 feet

Neighboring cities: Ellijay

Known for: On the top of Fortress Hill, there is a small section of ancient rock face. Only one 855-foot wall stands, and no one really knows what that wall was for or how far it stretched. But it is believed that one of the Native American tribes that originally settled the land now known as Georgia built the wall on top of the hill. If you go up the fortress hill, you can see what remains of the city walls as well as some great views. Hiking Fortress Mountain is relatively easy for almost any hiker. The trail is flat with no steep slopes. There's even a trail that loops around a beautiful alpine lake, ideal for a picnic. You can also camp, horseback ride, bike and hike in Fort Mountain State Park around the real peaks.

blood mountain

Located in: Chattahoochee National Forest

Altitude: 4,458 feet

Nearby cities: Blairsville

Known for: Blood Mountain is one of Georgia's mountains that is part of the Appalachian Trail. In fact, the summit of Blood Mountain is the highest point on Georgia's Appalachian Trail. This can be a challenging hike, so if you're not a very experienced hiker, this probably isn't a fun hike for you unless you want to challenge yourself. The hike to the summit of Blood Mountain is only five miles, but it's an almost straight five-mile incline.

There are plenty of campgrounds at the top of Blood Mountain, as well as the Appalachian Trail Shelter at the top. If climbing Blood Mountain is too intense for your taste, you can climb up a section from the foot of the mountain and connect to other trails that will take you around Blairsville.

black rock mountain

Located in: Black Rock Mountain State Park

Altitude: 3,640 feet

Neighboring cities: Shancheng

Known for: Black Rock Mountain is a popular tourist destination in Georgia. It can get crowded with so many people visiting each year, but it's easily accessible. It is more accessible than many other mountains in Georgia. There is a paved road that almost leads to the top of the hill, and RVs and other large vehicles can go up the hill.

Black Rock Mountain State Park, where the mountain is located, has more than 80 viewpoints. Tourists and hikers can stop at these lookouts for stunning views of Georgia's forests and green plains. There are rental cabins and cabins for camping at the summit, as well as amenities such as a small museum, shop and picnic tables.

The most popular time to visit Black Rock Mountain is during the hot Georgia summer months. The mountain's high altitude means that even in Georgia's sweltering summer months, the summit remains pleasantly cool.

stone mountain

Located in: Stone Mountain Park

Altitude: 1,686 feet

Neighboring cities: Atlanta

Known for: Stone Mountain sits on the outskirts of metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. The mountain is known for a few different things. It is famous because it is the largest steep rock mountain in the United States. Another reason Stone Mountain is famous is because of the portraits of Confederate leaders carved into its face. But controversy aside, the mountain is ancient and holds special significance to the Native Americans who first settled the area.

Stone Mountain is located within Stone Mountain State Park, a large tourist destination. Camping is available both inside and outside the park. At the summit, you can take the Skyride cable car, which offers incredible views from the park's summit and the Atlanta skyline in the distance. There is a very easy and smooth five mile loop hike at the base of Stone Mountain. From the base trail, you can also choose a one-mile trail to the summit. The one-mile hike is a bit of a challenge, but there is also vehicle access to the summit if you want to drive to the summit.

brasstown bald hill

Located in: Chattahoochee National Forest

Height: 4,784 feet

Nearby cities: Blairsville

Known for: Brasstown Bald is the tallest mountain in Georgia. It's very popular in the fall, as it's some of the best foliage viewing in the state. You can drive up the hill if you want. It's a half-mile walk from the parking lot to the visitor center at the top of the hill, but be warned: it's strict! One of the unique things about Brasstown Bald is that it has a 360-degree view, and on a clear day, you'll be able to see four states at once.

If you're a reasonably experienced hiker and like a challenge, you can take the Arkaquah Track at the top of Brasstown Bald Mountain, which takes you 11 miles to Track Rock Gap. There, you'll be able to see some ancient petroglyphs carved into the mountain by Native Americans centuries ago.

tower bald

Located in: Southern Nantahala Wilderness

Altitude: 4,568 feet

Neighboring cities: Shancheng

Known for: Hightower Bald is not far from Hitower West, Georgia, where the Appalachian Trail begins. One of the things Hightower Bald is famous for is its location on the border of North Carolina and Georgia. If you stand on top of a hill, you can stand on one foot in each state. However, only experienced hikers should attempt to hike to the summit. Apart from some rough game paths, there are very few actual paths on Hightower Bald. If you lose track of the game, you may end up at the top. It's a steep ascent to the top with rocky and uneven ground. The view from the top is great but you have to put in some effort to get there.

killing mountain

Located in: Blue Ridge Mountains

Altitude: 4,338 feet

Nearby cities: Blairsville

Notability: Slaughter Mountain is not far from Blood Mountain. It's also very close to one of the Appalachian Trail stops called Neel's Gap. If you want the best views of Mount Slaughter, you should take the Jarrard Trail, part of the Appalachian Trail. It will take you around Winfield Scott Lake to Mount Slaughter. Once on the mountain, you'll wander through beautiful forests and green fields filled with wildflowers, depending on the time of year you're hiking. It's a spectacular place when all the wildflowers are in bloom.

wolfpen ra.

Located in: Blue Ridge Mountains

Height: 4,561 feet

Nearby cities: Blairsville

Known for: Wolfpen Ridge is the ridge on which Brasstown Bald sits. You can take the trail from Brasstown Bald along Wolfpen Ridge. If you're hiking along Wolfpen Ridge, make sure you have plenty of water with you, especially if you're hiking in the heat of summer. There aren't many good water sources along the ridge. If you want to make sure you have plenty of water with you, you can pick it up at the visitor center at the top of Brasstown Bald before heading to Wolfpen Ridge.

dick knob

Located in: Southern Nantahala Wilderness

Altitude: 4,620 feet

Neighboring cities: Shancheng

Known for: The summit of Dick's Knob lies almost directly on the border of North Carolina and Georgia. North Carolina is less than half a mile from the summit. There are no trails past the summit, but you can follow some trails that connect to the Appalachian Trail to the summit. If you're going to hike Dick's Knob, be prepared for a strenuous effort as there aren't many cleared trails. If you're willing to put in the effort to get to the top, you'll be rewarded with some stunning views. But pack plenty of bug spray, because bugs in the Georgia bush are no joke.

Raben Bald

Located in: Blue Ridge Mountains

Altitude: 4,696 feet

Nearby cities: Sky Valley

Known for: Rabun Bald is Georgia's second highest peak. The hike to the summit is worth it, as you can see views for about 100 miles in every direction from the summit. Be careful though! According to Native American legend, the mountain is inhabited by fire-breathing people.

Rabun Bald is quieter than the not-too-distant Brasstown Bald, Georgia's tallest peak. It's not really a tourist destination and there are no shops or RV parking or anything like that. The hike to the summit is not difficult along the Bartram Trail, so beginners can reach the summit with little trouble. Inexperienced hikers looking for the easiest path up the mountain should start on Hale Ridge Road and follow the summit trail there.

highest point in georgia

Brasstown Bald 4,784 ft

next

• Georgia's Nine Best Lakes
• 10 Best Fishing Spots in Georgia
• 6 Extinct Animals Found Living in Georgia